We hate to use the same hyperbole as sellers, but sometimes it’s hard not to share in their enthusiasm. This particular car, part of the legendary Mercedes-Benz W123 family, looks everything like the survivor it’s purported to be. With less than 50,000 miles from new, this 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300D here on eBay is likely one of the best ones left on the roads today. The question is whether the opening bid of $21,500 is too strong.
Curiously, this Mercedes was listed as having been sold for the current opening bid price. Not sure if any red flags should go up because of that, by FYI nonetheless. This is a great color on these stately sedans – a primrose yellow – but any color would work if the car was as straight as this one. With an umarked body, no rust and all of its original features intact, this 300D is hard to top. Throw in the turbodiesel powerplant and you will have the W123 faithful salivating.
The seller says everything works, but tragically, the original Becker radio was swapped out for an aftermarket unit. Although the Becker is included, it’s just so disheartening to see a modern radio sitting where that handsome Euro-spec radio once resided. But really, aside from that, the hard-wearing interior is in mint condition, which isn’t hard to do on a low-mileage example like this considering how long-lived Mercedes interiors are.
The 5-cylinder turbocharged OM617 diesel engine is considered one of the most reliable Mercedes diesels ever built. These things rack up incredible mileage, often in some of the most grueling climates and conditions around the world. These motors made Mercedes a household name in America in the 1980s, partially helped by the failure of domestic companies like GM to produce a diesel engine consumers wanted. Will this one beat its high opening estimate?
Awwww fer… not another four-door!!
If cars with quatro-doors aren’t kool, then why do so many kids buy four-door cars made by Matchbox? This Merc is as cool as it gets for a refined machine. My former boss has one that looked the same as this fine example. The car still looks this good. Runs even better. A true Bahn Burner for family cruising.
Looks new. These are robust as can be. I just don’t view this is a collectible car. The 240/300 was a taxi cab in much of Europe. Call it collectible if you like, but I don’t see it. If you like driving a car with performance, this isn’t for you. That engine will run forever, if you can stand the clatter and smells that go along with it.
It’s true, it could be said this Mercedes is not a collectible car, but then barnfinds is about, well, barnfinds and survivors. If this car was a restored example it wouldn’t be of much interest any more than a restored classic.
Nice cars, these were. Well designed and fairly reliable. Don’t give them too much credit though. There was a lot of bad blood over the GM 350 diesel but MB had its demons too: The crankshaft timing sprocket tended to work its way loose and then cut the keyway out of both the sprocket and the crankshaft. Our shop sent many crankshafts away to have the keyway reclaimed. The MB had at least as many camshaft failures (per capita) as GM. In fact there was a program in place where, no matter what the car came in for, the camshaft was to be inspected and/or replaced.
Hmm…I’ve owned/ restored and professionally maintained hundreds of w123’s, in all variations (coupes, wagons and sedans) over my 30 year career. I’ve never seen an issue with a worn keyway on the crank or an issue with a camshaft. Plenty of leaking front crank seals or failed vacuum pumps.
Sure we’re talking about the OM617??
I’m referring to the diesel. My shop specializes in diesel service and we’ve worked on a number of MB diesels from the 190 to the 300D. The 300D was probably the one that wrecked the keyway the most, but then, it was also the most common. We had a couple of 240Ds that wiped out the camshafts. MB had the problems solved by the mid 80s but there was a time between ’79 and ’83 when they (the diesels) broke down in those areas. I never had much to do with a gas pot except to work on the mechanical fuel injection system.
I’ve had 6 w123’s at varying stages of mileage and have never experienced this problem. My current one has 82k and runs like a top.
These are great highway cruisers. Worked on, or rather took care of a few of these in the day. Here is a typical story; friend of the garage daughter had one of these and brought it in for a service. I drained about 5 quarts of oil out of it and replaced the 10 it needed. Always amazed me that people would pay so much for a car and then complain about a 200.00 dollar service (1990 in an independent garage) and/or not take the time to check the oil.
Had another person with one of these, was taking her back to work after she dropped the car off and was complaining about a noise that was driving her crazy and I heard it as well; it sounded like it was coming from the inside. She was a school teacher and on the way back to the garage I started putting my hand on everything in the interior I could and when I put my hand on one of the compartments in the console the PAPERCLIPS stopped vibrating and the noise went away. I told her when I picked her up we found the vibration and it would cost a lot to fix it; she laughed when I told her what it really was.
You could get a radiator badge from MBZ, every 100,000 Miles! Some of these have several!
These cars are excellent and the price is not out of line. Jump on it. If you are near Mercedes Benz Classics in Whittier California give to them for a stem to stern look and repair, and then drive and enjoy it. If you are not near them, communicate with the Mercedes Benz Owners Club and let them tell you where to take the car in your area. I have one. I’ve never had any trouble with it.
Bloody tank and indestructible. Always wanted one of these.
Had one of these. Bought it with 260,000, got rid of it at 467,000. Big mistake, the diesel just ran and ran.
I had one too in the 90’s…at the time, they were going for $5k and there were plenty around…there still are, and they have a strong following, especially in CA.
I see this as a $8,000 300. We had a wagon and it was not the bullet proof car that people tout them to be. Some of the problems; tailgate latch, vacuum locks, AC/heater control unit (big bucks), power window switches, glow plugs, new cam shaft at 110k driver seat failing, no comfort and my dad only weighed 170 lbs. This was the last car he bought before he passed away and he was very disappointed with all the issues with it.
My sister sold it as it was very difficult to start and she lived in So California where it is mild.
I made a trip to Yosemite in it with my wife and it was a good thing I had jumper cables; I needed them each time I started the car in the AM and it had a brand new battery! The glow plugs were bad.