Whether you’re a fan of diesel-powered autos, looking for an older reliable cruiser, or just in the market for a nicely preserved eighties sedan, this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300D here on eBay ticks several of the right boxes. It has only traveled 52,000 miles, and this was all during the first seven years, as this car has been tucked away in a garage for a third of a century. The seller describes the condition as impeccable, and while that’s typically a tall order to live up to, this one is undoubtedly a well-preserved example. The Benz is presently in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, and can be yours right now for $12,000. However, the owner may be willing to negotiate, as there’s also the opportunity to make an offer.
Selecting code DB-473 got Mercedes buyers a beautiful Champagne Metallic exterior, a color about as classic as this sedan’s body style. The seller doesn’t mention whether this is still the factory finish or if there’s been a respray at some point, but original or not the paint presents well, and I’m not spotting any rust or areas that lead me to believe the outside is anything but solid. We also get to view a few photos with the doors open, with the jambs and areas under the trunk and hood also seeming to remain in nicely preserved condition. With spring just around the corner, it’s also fun to find that this one’s equipped with a sunroof.
Under the hood is a 3.0-liter, inline 5-cylinder Turbo Diesel engine, a powerplant that’s known for its reliability and longevity. The seller says that the motor starts right up and runs fantastically, with the drivetrain components stated to be in superb condition. I’ve never owned a Mercedes-Benz or a diesel vehicle before, nor stored any auto for 33 years static, so I’m curious if this one would benefit from anything beyond basic maintenance before it’s ready to be back on the road permanently. Maybe some readers who have owned one of these cars before can chime in here.
The interior is mentioned as original, and it seems in fine shape to be at the 40-year point. Most things inside look factory, but an aftermarket JVC Stereo has been added, which includes a CD player. I’m always appreciative when a seller provides photos from underneath, and even more thankful when the bottom side can be viewed from a lift. This one appears to have a solid platform, and it’s also a plus that no obvious leaks are visible. Five different video links are provided, including one with the car being driven, and the sedan seems to perform just as the seller describes. What are your thoughts on this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300D? Is twelve grand reasonable for what you’re seeing here?
Seller goes on and on about the low mileage and then mentions that the odometer is broken! LOL
These things stink and the go go juice costs a ton more then high test. I know, I know, everyone says they run forever. Okay, but with high fuel cost and a stinky car, is that really what you want? Get it cheap, then quickly flip it to a slow minded person.
Diesel in the Midwest is currently $.50 cheaper than premium fuel, but yeah, it can get up there.
I see that you have made sure not only to disagree, but to be insulting about it as well. I feel safe in assuming that you have never owned a Mercedes, diesel or otherwise. I have owned several, and they served me well. You remind me of the saying “You’re usually down on what you’re not up on.”
Beautiful car, I’d love to own it.
I havev owned three Mercedes diesels – NEVER AGAIN!! Slow as in S-L-O-W- hard to start in winter, stinky high-prlced fuel, mediocre mileage, smelly exhaust – and these are just the positive things I can say!!
Hey Jerry, have you ever owned one, before you insult those who have or like them? “Slow minded person”? You really ought to do your homework before you make stupid statements. I still have an 85 300SD with 385,000 miles on it that I bought new. I also bought a used 300D for my parents. I have newer MB’s but the 126 series were incredible. And diesel fuel is only a little higher that ethanol gas.
About 20 years ago I owned a “stinky” 300 SD with the same 5-cylinder turbo engine as this. I didn’t mind the normal diesel smell, but I don’t mind the smell of gasoline either. But what REALLY smelled was when I used filtered cooking waste oil in the tank. Do you mind the stinky smell of french fried potatoes? That was it! Don’t do that if you’re hungry. That car ran better when I sold it with only about 140,000 miles, many to go. The young couple that bought it were thrilled.
I’ve owned 3 Mercedes diesels 1 1983, 2 1985 can definitely say my favorite was the 1983 non turbo the weakest part of the drivetrain is the automatic transmission that was the demise of both 1985s now you can get a transmission adapter for a Chevy automatic transmission or hunt for a manual transmission offered OEM by Mercedes, I would definitely want to inspect the underside of this car being from New Jersey inside before committing to buying it the price of diesel is offset by the increase ln mpg and the smell of burning diesel isn’t bad inside the car they also respond very well to burning vegetable oil but when going that route get a good kit with a preheater and timer
I thought these came from the factory with 200,000 miles on them?
this car could easily have 200,000 miles on it. broken odometers are not reliable measures of mileage.
I’ve owned several stinky diesels; two VWs and four Mercedes. Both my wife and I currently drive stinky diesels. My current stinky diesel is a 2006 Mercedes E320 CDI. I bought it in 2010. It’s been a great vehicle. If you maintain them you can run them for hundreds of thousand of miles. Mine has 225,000 miles. My son’s 1999 has 245,000 miles. He recently sold his 1983. It had 385,000 miles. Oh yeah, I regularly get 32-36 mpg. And it will get up and boogie if you give it some serious right foot. For what it’s worth, I’ve been driving stinky diesels since when diesel was cheaper than gasoline. I intend to drive my stinky diesel until they come and pry my hands off the steering wheel. FYI, my wife’s 2013 Mercedes diesel doesn’t stink. It uses DEF. She plans on keeping her not stinky diesel like I do.
I watched all the videos. Very reasonable condition for its age and supposed mileage.
Not sure about a “broken odometer”, but for sure the Tach is not functioning. Nice looking ride and as a diesel aficionado I’d love to own it…but at around $5k
really love this model wagon (W123, 300TDI) w/the OM617 oiler.
Nother ‘million mi motor’ (like ford 4.9/300, the 12v, more).
Be a nice companion for the (made for america) 300 waggy~
I’ve owned 3 MB diesels over the years, 2 of them W123 300Ds. These are awesome cars, if I lived out west I’d own one. Terrific at speed, cumbersome in the city, true road cars. If this one is as nice as it seems it’s a bargain. Have it all checked out by a reputable MB outfit, Fix the odometer and keep it forever if you wish. Totally dependable cars.
I owned one as a traveling salesman in the Florida-Georgia-Alabama region. Don’t know what they are compared to when called “slow”. Mine wasn’t a race car, but it compared favorably with the Cadillacs I had had before. And yeah, mileage was in the 30+ mpg range. Comfortable road car, no problems, no “stink” unless I was standing behind it while idling Which I never did, but still.