Sold at $28,600 RM Sotheby’s, Online Only: Palm Beach March 20–28, 2020, Lot 452
Chassis number: WDBNG76J54A387363 SCM Condition for this Car: 2- Two things I am an absolute sucker for are V12-powered cars and luxury super sedans. This Mercedes-Benz T12 Brabus is both of those things. That is likely why editors Chester Allen and Jim Pickering wanted me to write up this hot-rodded Euro sedan. They know me and my expensive tastes quite well. This T12 sold during RM Sotheby’s Online Only sale in March for a used-car price of $28,600. However, this Brabus-boosted Mercedes is more than just some used-up Altima, thanks to a twin-turbo V12 pumping out 580 horsepower and 620 ft-lb of torque. I’m sold hook, line and sinker with just those two stats, but there is just as much luxury as performance in this sedan. In addition to the heated and cooled plush leather seats, each headrest holds a 6.5-inch screen attached to a DVD player, a central screen drops from the roof where you can play games on an Xbox, and electric tray tables fold down for each rear passenger — just to name a few of the creature comforts. All these gaudy features are more common in luxury cars today, but back in 2004, only the best cars had such amenities. Well, the best and any custom built on MTV’s “Pimp My Ride.” Thanks, Xzibit. Of course, all this performance and luxury came with quite a price tag. The owner of this car first had to buy a new S600 from Mercedes-Benz — in this case, at a cost of $133k. It was then sent to Brabus North America, where an additional $57k worth of upgrades were added. So many upgrades, in fact, that Brabus North America used it as their show car at venues across the country, including the concept-car lawn at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Since then, the singular owner has enjoyed it, putting over 102k miles on the clock. Now, I know you’re thinking, “Chad, this is just an expensive old, used car with a gaggle a of 15-year-old gadgets that are going to break.” And you would be right, but I’m a glutton for punishment, having already owned a 10-year-old, 90k-mile 2004 E55 Mercedes. I say, who cares if the tray tables stop folding down or the ventilated seats stop cooling your back. If you can afford to get them fixed, do it, but I’m more concerned about keeping that monster V12 purring and sending me down the freeway like a SpaceX rocket. Yes, $29k might sound like a lot for a used car with 100k miles, but this one offers much more than some old, used car. It’s also much faster and cheaper to buy than an old Ferrari 308. Sorry — not sorry — 308 owners. I could have had a lot of fun and spent a lot of money on repairs with this T12. But with those horsepower and torque numbers, it would be worth it. Damn, I should have bid. — Chad Taylor ♦