Is it good or bad to own a car that was never sold in the US? I can’t decide; I’d like to hear your opinion. We can consider the question as we examine this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 230E four-door sedan, listed here on eBay. The seller is still looking for an opening bid of $3800 despite an aging auction. The car is located in Laurel, Delaware, and yes, it has a few defects. The 230E (“E” for Einspritzung, or fuel injection) W123 was launched in 1977 and sold virtually everywhere but the US; we received the 240D instead. In 1985, the model carried on, now updated to Mercedes’ W124 chassis, with its squared headlamps and sharper body lines. In the eyes of Mercedes fans, that update only made us nostalgic for the earlier car’s vintage appeal.
The 2.3 liter in-line four cylinder is equipped with Bosch’s K-Jetronic injection unit. It makes about 134 hp, with power sent to the rear wheels via a four-speed automatic. This car was last registered in 1986. The seller has not started the car but did install a new battery to assure the motor would turn over – which it does. However, the catalytic converter was sawn off the car while it was stored outside, and one rear caliper will need to be replaced. On the positive side of the ledger, the odometer reads 44,147 miles which the seller believes to be original given the condition of the interior; and the car sits on new tires.
The interior is mostly spiffy, managing to escape water ingress through the sunroof while it was stored outside. The wood trim on the glovebox is loose and the steering wheel finish is scuffed. The build sheet shows this Benz is equipped with air conditioning, power windows in the front only, power door locks and cruise control.
The car’s stint outside didn’t do the body any good. While the paint is still fair, two spots of rust are evident – here at the seam in the front valance where we can also see the bumper has lost much of its finish, and at the corner of the left quarter panel. Still, these cars will last for longer than you want to keep them once you can rise above the maintenance issues – and that’s where the rarity of this car in the US may come into play. The new owner could be looking overseas for certain parts. What’s it worth? Unfortunately, not much! This example – also with a roster of small faults – sold a couple of years ago for only $4000, and prices didn’t improve much a year later when this one – with a manual – sold for $4600. The seller should consider putting this car into running order, since “barn find” status doesn’t confer any advantages to a 230E – in fact, it’s a detraction.
I have a soft spot for the W123 especially euro market models. This one doesn’t have enough eye appeal for the asking price. 2K probably and I would pull the M102 and install a M103 from a W124 so it would keep up with traffic. If it was a 5-speed manual then 4K would be appropriate.
Are the gauges in English, is the glass updated, are the metal door crash supports installed? If my memory is still functional, I didn’t think you could register overseas cars without these upgrades.
love the 44,000 miles. euro car. came with a speedo in KM, not MPH. so who knows the real mileage? as a car guy, this is the very first thing I suspect with a gray market car. pass. nice car, relatively clean, but not as represented.
It was the summer of 1983, I had just got my driver’s license, matter of fact I still had the paper copy as the laminated one hadn’t come yet. I had a summer job washing customer’s cars at a small dealership in my town that specialized in leasing “gray market” cars at the time. It was a great job until one day I was handed the keys to a 230E 4spd to take home for lunch.
Well, let’s say the twisty, stone wall lined one lane roads, my inexperience and youthful exuberance ended in a totaled 230E and an unemployed 16 year old.
If I remember, it was a fun car to drive compared to what else I was driving at the time.
Ouch!
Last weekend, I was visiting my brother in law and one of these, same color, was pulling out of his street.
When I mentioned it to my BIL, he said that a kid down the street owns it and has been working on it for a little while now. I was impressed by that.
Way over-priced, since it doesn’t run. You know nothing about the condition of the engine; nothing about the condition of the transmission, I would give $300 and that’s it, even though I like these cars.
The “petrol” version is so boring. What makes the w123 so unique and fun to most Americans is the diesel clatter. And the smell of diesel. The contradiction of a “luxury” car that sounds like a 18-wheeler cannot be replicated. Otherwise it’s just another boring car.