This car seems way, way too cheap. Tell me I’m wrong or if I’m missing an obvious flaws, but a W112 coupe should be selling for $20,000 or better in this condition. The seller says that it’s his dad’s car and it needs a little bit of work, but details are otherwise scarce. The condition appears to be good, and it sports an attractive color combo with a terrific chocolate leather interior. The front end also shows European-style headlights which could either indicate the owner upgraded it on their own or it’s a European-spec car. Either way, this 1965 Mercedes-Benz 300SE is a deal at $5,500 listed here on craigslist.
When you look at the W112, most of the cars that have sold in the recent past have gone for at least $20,000, and that’s for a car with needs. The seller’s car likely has some issues to work out, especially if he’s not intimately involved with the vehicle’s past. The listing does confirm that it runs well, and another clue as to the likelihood of it being a Euro car is the rear fog light mounted on the back bumper. The paint looks decent – let’s face it, a respray is likely – but the car’s location in the Pacific Northwest likely indicates it’s fairly rust-free. The chrome bumpers are quite tidy as well.
The interior is my favorite part. I’m sure this deep brown leather has a proper name in terms of its factory upholstery code, but it is not one I can recall seeing often in examples that have come up for sale. If this is a European market model, this could be further evidence that this car sports some options not seen in USDM examples. Regardless, the leather sports a nice patina and is certainly in the sort of condition you can live with indefinitely. These interiors are simply wonderful places to spend time and the pillar-less design makes for a stunning reveal when the back quarter glass goes down.
Under the hood, you have a reliable straight-six, which I believe is referred to as the M189 in this configuration. Power-wise, it made a healthy 170 horsepower and 183 lb-ft of torque with Bosch mechanical fuel injection. You could find these beefy six-cylinders with a manual gearbox, but most were automatics like this one. A stunning design with excellent colors and a nice patina makes this 300SE an example worth checking out, and outside of some major corrosion or mechanical issues, I fail to see how you don’t make out like a bandit at this asking price. Thanks to Barn Finds reader Curvette for the find.
That’s all good and dandy, but what’s that fella doing up against that fence?
He is staining the fence, look to the right.
Staining the fence…
Probably has a body in the trunk. Just looked around: there are plenty of those for sale for 10x that price.
This looks pretty nice at first glance, but these coupes are VERY prone to rust. A careful inspection is needed before buying! I could be wrong, but the engine appears to be the smaller 220SE, not the 300SE. It may have had a “badge upgrade” some time in the past.
Hagerty says $11,500 for a #4 4-door sedan. So, a nice coupe should be in the range Jeff mentions.
The VIN 111 021 says that this is no 300SE, but rather a 220SE or 250SE. Still a price that’s low enough to make you worry. Is it a scam? Is it seriously rusty? Or just a really good opportunity.
A neighbor has had a blue 220SE parked outside for a year or so. Always used to look at it when driving by but it has recently disappeared.
PS – and I think the 300SE engine would have the valve cover breather towards the back and not close to the oil filler cap like this one. So most likely a 220SE with some badge engineering.
During production year 1965 , they changed the tire size from 7.50 H 13 to 185H14 and rear axle from 3.75 to 3.69. optional 3.92 remained available.
Result: speed per 1000 rev/ min increased from 31 km/h to 33,7 km/h.also top speed.. from 188 117 mph) to 192 (119 mph) km/h. milage increased from 21,4 to 21,9 mpg
Well, we all know, or should, it’s not the ownership of a MB, it’s the repair, unless you were Janis Joplin, “Oh Lord, won’t you buy me”,even though she never had one,,what a fantastic car, we simply had nothing like it. I’ve heard that rear light was also called an “Autobahn light”, as it was much brighter and could be seen from farther away as speeders approached at breakneck speeds. Anyone?
Now, if I was a rich man, and not some cantankerous old fart in an assisted living apt. at 4am (MT),,,THIS is what I’d drive, sorry dad, your Oldsmobile it ain’t,,,and it is out of here. Someone scarfed up a sweetheart. .
it’s a fog lamp, common on euro cars, not common on american MBs until the 126. prior to that if memory serves me (I have had 3 108s, a new 73 450SE, 420SEL, 300SE, S420, 2-280SLs, a C280, and a new 99 SLK). prior to the 420 (87) I recall the switch being a ‘dead switch’. it pulled out but there was no rear fog lamp.
Howard this light in EU served as a fog light but mostly as a dirty water spray light. In speeds in excess of 100km/h (around 65m/h) or more, in the usually wet during winter (adjust and for Spring or Fall in the North) motorways in EU, it helped to see the car ahead. Later in the 80’s it was moved higher just below the roof to better avoid the spray and probably the salt that was included.
I had a 250S coupe way back in the buggy days, and l can still smell the interior, and see the wood. That car was a 4 speed, loved it.
This one’s probably a lot easier to own than a real 300SE. My brother had one that cost about a thousand dollars a month to repair in 1975. And then there was the rust issue. Prior owner was Barbara Eden. Figured having a Genie as a prior owner would be a good thing. Apparently not.
Did anybody here snatch it? Please tell us more about it if so….
On the passenger side the wiring is hanging down , The repairs needed could be electrical. If it is an intermittent problem this could be a nightmare. It’s still a great car at a great price. I have too many projects to even take time to look. If I look I might be like a kid in a candy shop and have to have it.
This wonderful MB is a scam or it will reappear for 15K to 20K in a couple of weeks or so.
I would have loved to take a look.
Posting has been removed, so either a scam or somebody gotta deal
The 220 is a dog, very slow and underpowered, and worth a LOT less than an equivalent condition 300. At $5500 still a good deal but most people actually in the market for a coupe from this era will simple say “I’ll pass.”
Ah, yes. Spent three years in Germany and remember well fog lights and 120 mph tires on the same car.
I kinda always liked the body style of these cars I once had a matchbox or hot wheels of one and I blew it up with a M80