Most of you by now know that I am a bit obsessed with genuine European-market cars. It’s not hard to see why – typically, better power, less restrictive emissions equipment and more attractive bumpers are all part of the reason why they’re so desired by enthusiasts. In addition, we tend to get excited by things our European counterparts likely scratch their heads over, like crank windows and cloth seats. Well, this 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300D here on eBay has all that and then some, thanks to being outfitted with a stick and the desirable OM617 diesel mill.
Right off the bat, even those of you who aren’t necessarily Euro car fans will notice this Mercedes isn’t carrying those ugly, heavy American bumpers. It does sport the classic tow hitch, which seems to be a must-have by overseas drivers – need to haul the caravan, don’t you know. This 300D is said to have done a lot of sitting for the last few years, and the seller claims it does has some minor issues as a result. The paint isn’t original and the A/C doesn’t blow cold, among other minor quibbles. But really, with a manual transmission and the more power 5-cylinder diesel engine, this is the one to buy if you’ve been hunting for the right diesel-powered W123.
Inside, you’ll find a crack-free dash, which is getting increasingly harder to find in this era of Mercedes, as many of them are kept in daily use for decades, racking up plenty of exposure to the sun in the meantime. I suspect this car’s hibernation in storage has helped its vulnerable surfaces stay protected, but the seller does recommend finding new tires as the current ones are starting to crack. The dash lighting is also out, but that’s a pretty straightforward fix, if not a bit tedious. Manual windows and HVAC controls means there’s less stuff to break, and the cool German-market radio remains with the car.
The diesel found in many North American market Mercedes sedans is certainly hard-wearing and long-lasting, but it is not a rocketship by any means. This particular motor livens things up by quite a bit, even more so with the manual transmission and without giving anything up in terms of durability. These motors can churn out around 120 b.h.p. and 175 lb.-ft. of torque stock, with the potential for more power through some sensible modifications. Off-roaders have been re-purposing this engine for years in applications like FJ40s and Jeeps, but I wouldn’t use this car for that swap. It’s much too clean, and at $4,400 or best offer, it’s a deal and a half for someone.
These are great drivers. Had the opportunity to drive a similarly equipped model that a friend of my mom’s bought in Germany while in the Air Force. He brought the car with him back to the states. Everything inside was in German. Great driver, and a solidly built car. That car’s doors had the most solid, yet precision mechanical click when they closed. Fine German engineering.
Wow, what a find! Where are you going to find a Euro 79 MB diesel, 4 speed with only 56k miles?? $4,400 was a bargain for this car!……..probably why it’s already been pulled off ebay! Wonder how long it was on ebay before being pulled?
The time could be measured in nano-seconds.
One of the best cars ever built and the euro version with manual and other simple appointments is the best of the best. Many euro cars did not have air conditioning…it was an expensive option……not standard equipment….this may be one of the last cars operating on earth……many push 1,000,000 miles. Probably 30 MPG with a car larger than modern full size cars.
120 hp is for the turbo, which was automatic only, even in Europe. This nonturbo model was stuck at around 80 horses, still noticeably better than the 240D’s 62 hp.
Precisely what I was going to write. Strange that more people didn’t notice it is non turbo.
Really nice car. It was underpriced, especially for the bay area. Hopefully someone bought it to enjoy and not to flip. I had over 300K on my wagon and only sold it when someone walked up and offered me stupid money for it.
as an ex M.B. tech , I can only say one thing. To all of you W123 freaks out there,
this is the car to have. The most important thing in this car is that it has NO Chrysler climate control!!!!
Too bad no turbo, would have been pretty fast with one.
From the 80s to 90s. What are the MBs to avoid. Or the best ones for someone looking to own a basic Benz without all the glitz and glamour options. Say a 200 to 300s series maybe in wagon form ,?
Wow – I thought I’d owned the only Mercedes in this gawd-awful baby diaper green! Mine was an ’84 190D -speed so it was small, the “baby” Benz as it was . . . but oh that color – I used to refer to mine as the German Army Staff Car. I don’t care how much people wax eloquent about MBZ diesels, I’ll never own another – the truth is they’re bog slow, the exhaust stinks, the fuel (at least here) is a 20 – 25% premium over gas. I used to think mine was pretty economical as it would return up to 39 mpg at 79 mph as long as there was no headwind, but my Toyota Corolla will do 35 mpg at the same speed on much cheaper fuel and is frankly, better built!
While the lack of a/c would be difficult to get past here in the southeast, I like it. I’m especially fond of the old-school European headlights — probably because they were verbotten in the U.S.
Overhere in Germany, such a car must have automatic.
Unless you have to tow a heavy
Camper, or autotrailer. In Eu 85-90% of all Mercedes, have aut.
Almost all raves on this car for it’s stick, cranks, durability and other simplicities. Yet everyone knows if this car were being built today it wouldn’t sell. I don’t get it
The hitch appears to be a US add-on. The Europeans do not use 2″ receiver style hitches. The normally will have a radiused rod with a ball on the end that is affixed in a very different fashion to hitch frame.
On a 123 sedan:
http://www.benzworld.org/forums/attachments/w123-e-ce-d-cd-td/323512d1281056680-euro-trailer-hitch-any-value-us-ebay-042.jpg
On a 123 wagon:
http://i65.photobucket.com/albums/h215/jaredef/DSC_8274.jpg
Had a 78 non turbo and an 82 turbo. both US versions and auto. Great cars. Solid but noisy and better on the highway than city. Vacuum systems can be problematic.
A nice looking car, but terribly under-powered in the non-turbo version. Worse at higher elevations – we’re at 3400 ft. We had a 76 300D and a 76 300CD, both automatics. Compression ignition means that when the engine gets more than 150,000 miles and compression falls off, they are very hard to start in cool weather. We had to plug ours in eight months of the year. Vacuum door locks and heater controls were a problem. Auto AC and temperature control was an expensive problem. We were glad to see the last of ours and swore off diesels and Mercedes as a result.
Agreed
A couple of things, since I know these cars.
The thriftiest Euro version with no A/C,(previous ? cloth) vinyl seats, no p/w and stick.
Desirable only to those who want something different (US market).
Listing pulled and not sold, read the line on the very top.
Listed for 2days plus (3/23), pulled 25th 10 am.
Euro cars had the odometers(to mph) swapped and who knows if original kilometers were added at that point, my guess not on this car.
What I see is a car repainted with cleanup all around and detailing.
However it has a steering wheel that shows wear of approximately 200k miles………
This listing was ended by the seller because the item was lost or broken.
Strange reason to end a listing. I have a 1966 Mercedes 250SE with the mechanical fuel injected gasoline engine, 150 HP. I could not imagine a 1979 without a turbo and less than 100 HP, even with the extra torque of a diesel.
I’ve owned countless w123 diesels. The best part about that ride is the uber simple and fairly reliable manual climate control. That particular climate control is the only one that Mercedes ever made that was worth a damn(with or with out a/c).
Nice looking car. I’ve heard of W123 Mercedes-Benz Diesels before, but the only ones I’ve seen with 4-spd. manual gearbox are the 240D. I’ve never seen a 300D or 300TD