You want this used car: Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL V12, “the best on the planet”

Autovisie is always looking for used cars for enthusiasts and therefore searches the lists on the sales site Gaspedal.nl. This time we found a Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL V12.

The Mercedes-Benz W140 was produced from 1991 to 1998. On the order list at the time was a 6.0-liter V12 for the 600 SEL and SEC. An engine with which the S-Class made life difficult for the BMW 750Li, also with a twelve-cylinder.

Test with the Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL V12

Autovisie compared the two luxury cars in 1991. Conclusion: “Neither is worth the exorbitant prices.”

“Mercedes offers more choice in terms of engines in the S-Class than the blue and white Bavarians. The new S can be ordered with a six-cylinder in-line engine, with two V8 versions or with this V12. The 3.2 liter engine of the 300 SE is already good for 231 hp (170 kW), the 4.2 and 5.0 liter V8 engines (400 and 500 SE) produce 286 and 326 hp respectively ( 210 or 240 kW). The 600 SE achieves 408 hp (300 kW) at 5200 rpm on the power scale.”

“Both BMW and Mercedes seem to be installing the engine. There is no more room to play. You wonder where a mechanic should start.”

In the past, used cars were too powerful for the dynamometer

“This is not a winner-loser comparison. In my opinion you are always a winner with one of these two cars, because the performance of both Germans is at an immeasurably high level. This time we were spared the trip to the chassis dynamometer in Apeldoorn. When we announced the crankshaft horsepower of the twelve cylinders to the gentlemen present over the phone, all we could hear was toot-tuut-too…

“But even without this check, it is safe to say that the performance at the rear wheels is fine in both cases. The pulling power is enormous and the top speed that we measured on the German motorway is actually adjusted. At 260 km/h (actually 251) you can feel the Mercedes slowing down slightly. Luckily, not everything is suddenly interrupted by a hard blow. The power is controlled very quietly.”

The best car on this planet

“I didn’t think I would ever write it down, but the Mercedes 600 SEL can rightly be called the best car (currently) on the planet and far beyond. He has everything and it takes effort to even make a childish comment about a forgotten on-board computer or something. But you won’t be logged out of the new S.”

A difficult opportunity to steal

“For example, I (until now) overlooked the fact that the infrared remote control for the central locking has a variety of different codes. Each time this button is pressed, the device emits a different beam. So that skilled thieves (if they capture the code using special devices) are misled when attempting to steal it. The Mercedes 600 SEL is ready, that’s beyond doubt.”

Mercedes-Benz 600 SEL V12 as a used car

Autovisie finds a Mercedes 600 SEL with a V12 for just under 20 grand. The car dates from 1994 and has covered 237,695 kilometers since then.

The car is an extended version and therefore offers more legroom in the rear. The S also offers options you didn’t even know existed, like heated windshield washers.