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49k-Mile Survivor: 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300TD

Wow, this thing is one of the nicest examples of a car that couldn’t get out of its own way that I have ever seen. This 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300TD, (W123 chassis) was an executive estate wagon with naturally aspirated 5-cylinder 3.0-liter diesel and a whopping 80 horsepower. It just so happens to be for sale here on eBay for $19,500 and, as pristine as it looks, coupled with the current W123 market, that price might not be too far-fetched.

My first question while looking at this ad and researching the cars was “How does it only have that low mileage, yet it looks so well-kept?” and the answer was contained in the advert itself.  To quote the seller directly: “…The original owners were a very affluent family and this wagon was used by the House Manager from 1980 to 1985 and then put into heated storage collecting only nominal miles until I purchased it for my personal collection.”

They go on to tell us that the maintenance was so meticulous that every service receipt is there, and that basically everything on this car was repaired immediately, if not early and preventively, over all this time.

Clean engine, no saggy map pockets on the back of the front seats, no dash cracks showing in the pictures, the real-wood dash inserts look good, the rear compartment carpets look clean…it appears as though the ad is correct when it says: “…This is not a “fixer upper”, this is a wagon you can hop in and drive anywhere, its like a new wagon…”

For reference and detailed information on the W123 chassis cars, I recommend starting here on Wikipedia. Sure, they were slow, but they rode comfortably and could run half a million miles if you did the scheduled maintenance on time. For what it’s worth: My late grandmother drove an ’83 240D for many years, and I first learned to drive standard transmission on it, so I admittedly have an emotional connection to these well-crafted pieces of German engineering. If I had the budget, I’d have a 300D or 300TD Turbo in my garage. What about you? Got a car like or a story related to these cars?

Comments

  1. Avatar j liu

    A turbo would be preferred but with a specimen cared for as this one was, I would think this to be a fine car that would last many years. Bullet-proof and there’s zero mistaking it for any other car.
    And it’s price is $13.5K not $19.5K, even a better bargain.

    Like 4
  2. Avatar stillrunners

    My school buddy has one of these wagons – you know the one that has his parents cars still sitting in the garage – he’s trying for 300,000 miles !

    Like 2
    • Avatar Danh

      I have a client with a 123 wagon, 600k miles. Original engine. OM617 motors are extremely well built!

      Like 2
  3. Avatar Coventrycat

    I figure any Benz that hasn’t been converted to biofuel and has no Grateful Dead or Phish window stickers is a survivor in my book.

    Like 11
    • Avatar leiniedude Member

      Nice Coventrycat, I am in.

      Like 1
  4. Avatar David Safian Member

    It sold for $13,500.

    Like 1
  5. Avatar Fordguy1972 Member

    Amazing condition, inside and out; it really shows that it was well cared for. I’m a big fan of traditional station wagons, I’m currently driving my 5th, a Dodge Magnum. However, as much as I like them, 80 hp wouldn’t do it for me. I also have a ’97 Ford Ranger, my daily driver, which has the 2.3 four pot engine which I believe has all of 112 hp. While it’s durable and dependable, as well as quite frugal in it’s fuel consumption, it’s really underpowered. 112 hp is adequate, but just barely. So I can’t image driving something with 42 hp less than that. This Mercedes is a beautiful wagon, and I do like wagons, but with that anemic 80 hp motor, it’s not for me.

    Good luck to the new owner. Just don’t over load it and as for hills? Go around ’em, not over ’em.

    Like 1
    • Avatar Fred W

      I had a 300D in the early 90’s. It was useful in impressing my wife enough that she married me, however, it had the “get up and go” of a worn out 36hp VW transporter loaded with cement blocks. We both preferred our next Benz, a 420SEL. Later we had a 90’s MB that stalled dangerously in the middle of takeoff, and we defected to Toyota and never went back.

      Like 2
    • Avatar STERLING SLOAN

      could you contact me if you have actually inspected it the seller requires full price upfront sight unseen then money back if not buyer does not approve .four eight 0 four two seven 8 zero four one asap ettemy@gmail.com

      Like 0
    • Avatar STERLING SLOAN

      did you inspect this 300td wagon in person? its for sale again a bit too low priced to low a miles four eight 0 four to seven 80four one.

      Like 0
  6. Avatar Pebblebeachjudge

    It’s a 5000$ car max. Nothing so reliable in a 38 year old car . Try repairing it, so many old seals, bearings, vacuum lines, air vacuum, wiring, corrosion, and at labor rates of $100 an hour. Plus, the new wagons are superb, modern and more practical to repair. For $20k, you can get a 3 year old car! I’m finished with these old monsters, they eat through any reminders of the past , and are a burden to own and operate.

    Like 5
    • Avatar Danh

      What you say is true. But, people will still pay $15k-$20k for a clean, original, low mileage W123. The cult following for them is very strong.

      Like 0
  7. Avatar Gay Car Nut Tacoma

    Lovely looking car. The W123 series has always been among my favourite Mercedes-Benz cars. I’d buy a 300TD if I could find one in decent condition.

    Like 0
  8. Avatar matt

    I had an 85, bought it in 90 with a whopping 33M miles. it was owned by an old lady. bought the car on the spot and kept it as a second driver for 10 yrs. and regret that I sold it.

    Like 2
  9. Avatar Danh

    Odometer failure is extremely common on these cars. The pot-metal drive gear starts to slip on the spindle shaft. Just saying. Nice looking car though!

    Like 2
  10. Avatar Maestro1

    Of course it sold. A once in the lifetime opportunity. Good luck to the new owner.

    Like 4
  11. Avatar Benzjag

    Pebblebeachjudge……It’s very evident you do not know your market. “YOUR” $5000 300TD SOLD for $13500! The “new” cars you are talking about will sell for $5000 in a few years! The new MB loose their value quickly because of high maintenance cost and questionable dependability! The public knows this and as a result, the resale value is almost nothing (compared to their new listed prices)!

    Like 2
  12. Avatar Pete Phillips

    Have driven used 30- and 40- and 50-year-old Mercedes diesels for the last 25 years. Have never paid more than $3500 for one. Comfort, economy, dependability, handling is superb, and the standard shift ones are quicker than the automatics. No electronics; I can work on them myself, when they need work, and that is not very often.

    Like 0
  13. Avatar matt

    benz jag, sorry but I agree with pebble beach judge. however! you are the kind of buyer we all love because you pay top dollar when we are selling. so remember the song by billy joel “I love you just the way you are”….

    Like 0
  14. Avatar Benzjag

    Matt…The value of anything is what the market will pay. The market for extremely nice W123 cars is very high. I am the lucky one here as the buyer is willing to pay nicely for nice cars. I sold 5 W123 cars last year and each went for $10,000+. Yes, I am very thankful for the buyers. What I was trying to say is when one says “it’s a $5000 car” just doesn’t know that market. I would be equally dumb on the value some Chevys, Fords, etc.

    Like 0
    • Avatar matt

      while fundamentally you are 100% correct, I shake my head and wonder why someone would pay that much for an old car like that. you know the problems they suffer, probably the most daunting is keeping the vacuum system free of leaks, which is hit and miss. the cars are fabulous, I had one for 10 yrs and I wish I still had it! but I would never pay that much for a 1) non turbo since they are so slow without the device, nor 2) one that old for that much money. it will certainly have issues, if not a few, many.

      Like 0
  15. Avatar chad F

    that’s THE one!

    Like 0
  16. Avatar STERLING SLOAN

    i responded to this internet ad about may 10th 2019 same car same background same miles for sale for $7300 was in Carrolton tx now in a seattle warehouse hold by laurmy shipping. the owner Robert cartwright e-mail state one Rebecca Hansen of laurmay is the go-between.the car was stored at 7107 sw michigen payment was required sight unseen,refunded if a disapprove of car.after I see it.robert says heis overseas couldn’t call me.so I e-mailed Rebecca. to require I see it in advance no reponse was returned 4804278041

    Like 0

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