1988 MERCEDES-BENZ 560 SEC

For the US market, the driver's airbags were standard from 1987 onward due to the federal regulations. Courtesy lights (aka puddle lights) on the underside of the doors, to enable the occupant to see the ground when exiting the vehicle at night. From 1985 to 1991, driver and front passenger seat heaters were offered as a single extra-cost option. An optional, fully automatic climate control system that used an interior temperature sensor to more accurately climatize the cabin. This sensor was mounted overhead (near the sunroof switch) so that when the roof was open, the sensor would detect cool air-flow and call upon the system to adjust heat flow accordingly. An exterior temperature sensor with LCD display set in main instrument console below the speedometer to inform the driver of exterior conditions. 

Due to the B-pillar moving further back in the coupé models with longer doors, Mercedes-Benz developed the world's first seat belt presenters. When the doors are closed and the motor started, the presenters extend the shoulder anchor points forward to the driver and front passenger by nearly 12 inches. This facilitates easier reach and grab of seat belts. Once the seat belts are anchored, or after 30 seconds, the presenters return into the B-pillars.

The W126 premiered the power seat control, a first for Mercedes-Benz. Instead of placing the toggle or button switches with same shapes in the hard to reach or see areas, Mercedes-Benz developed the haptic switches in shape of a seat: one switch resembling the seat back for adjusting the seat back; another switch resembling the seat for moving the seat forward and back as well as raising and lowering. The two memory function buttons allow the front occupants to set and select their preferred positions accordingly. After the 17-year patent expired, this design was widely copied by other manufacturers in the late 1990s. Another first for Mercedes-Benz is an electrically adjustable steering column that extends and contracts by toggle switch underneath the steering column. The steering column position can be stored in the driver's side memory function along with the preferred seat position.

Another first was the theft deterrent system as option installed at the factory; the EDW or break-in theft alarm system, can emit the alarm sound and immobilize several components (radio, brakes, ignition lock and a few others) if the car was being towed away or if any of hood/bonnet, trunk/boot, doors were forcibly opened.

From 1984 on for the models with central locking system, the owner can turn the front door lock further to bolt the doors as to make them very difficult to be forcibly opened. The owner can order the separate bolt system for the trunk/bolt, making it equally difficult to pry the trunk/boot open. They require a special key with red dot.

Competition to this Benz in 1988 included Acura's Legend Coupe, Audi's Coupe, BMW's 635i, Cadillac's Coupe de Ville, Jaguar's XJ-S and Lincoln's Mark VII.

If these classic big Benzs from the late 1980s appeal to you, you should make the time to visit MotoeXotica Classic Cars today to check out this coupe in person.

VIN: WDBCA45DXJA403426

This car is currently located at our facility in St. Louis, Missouri. Current mileage on the odometer shows 184,969 miles. It is sold as is, where is, on a clean and clear, mileage exempt title. GET OUT AND DRIVE!!!

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