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Euro Wagon: 1989 Mercedes-Benz 230TE 4-Speed

In the not-so-distant past, American car buyers adored station wagons. In most cases, station wagons provided extra practicality without affecting driving dynamics. However, coming across a wagon with a manual transmission isn’t an easy task, which makes this 1989 Mercedes-Benz 230TE that I found here on Craigslist quite a unique specimen.

This Benz is available in Brooklyn, New York with a clean title. There isn’t a ton of information on the vehicle’s history, so it is unclear when this euro-spec model arrived in the states, but the seller has used it as a daily driver for the past few years. Additionally, this wagon benefits from a handful of recently installed parts, including a water pump, radiator, fuel pump, and spark plugs.

The exterior of this W124 Estate is pretty simple, but it is a very presentable example. I’ve always felt that these wagons are some of the most attractive of the era.

Inside, you’ll find a blue cloth interior – another rarity for a Benz in the United States. There are some flaws – the driver’s seat does have a cover on it, so there’s no telling what lurks underneath, and the air conditioning system is currently inoperable. Despite this, the rest of the cabin looks very clean, and I’m also a big fan of the woodgrain steering wheel and shift knob.

There’s a 2.3-liter 4-cylinder engine under the hood, and the odometer reads 169,010 kilometers, which translates to approximately 105,000 miles. While the engine pairs to a 4-speed manual transmission to drive the rear wheels, the seller admits that it is “not as fast as a sports car,” and it’s completely believeable that the 4-cylinder mill struggles in the W124 chassis.

For $3,800, you could take this Euro-spec wagon home. Does the third pedal seal the deal on this manual Benz, or would you prefer a wagon with a little more pep?

Comments

  1. Avatar GMoparman

    That steering wheel would have to go. Pronto. I would steer it with pliers to get it home.

    Like 10
    • Avatar Kevin Barr Member

      Looks like the stock one is in the trunk.

      Like 2
  2. Avatar 433jeff

    Standard tranny mercedes wagon yayyyy, 4 cylider in a boat like this booo

    Hold your breath and wait tilll you can afford and find a 250d?

    Like 2
    • Avatar 4spdbernie

      Calling a W124 a boat, lol.

      Like 0
      • Avatar Chas H

        Yeah, a W124 is the size of a Camry. My DD is a 95 E320 wagon. A 230 is under powered for American tastes.

        Like 1
  3. Avatar Djjerme

    Engine SWAP!

    I like this, tempting. Very, very..tempting.

    Maybe swap the S38 we have in a crate (ala Hartge’s swapped Merc from last week.)

    Like 1
  4. Avatar Genemak1

    Unless someone is drag racing, this vehicle would be a great cruiser and for eating lots of miles. Just get the AC fixed. In this day and age of social isolation, the roads are empty and there is no one to beat as you approach from an on ramp. Also, the perfect vehicle if you enjoy rowing the gears and need the space it affords while staying away from an SUV. I like it!

    Like 3
  5. Avatar Pete in PA

    Definitely an interesting car. Most people don’t realize that huge numbers of these cars were sold in Europe with 4 cylinder engines, manual transmission, cloth seats, manual windows, steel wheels, plus no air conditioning or sunroof!

    I’ve been a big fan of the 124 series since I bought my first one (an offlease 1988 300E) back in 1992 and have owned and repaired a couple dozen since then. Unfortunately I think these 124s have jumped the shark. The supply of good quality parts seems to be drying up quickly and small parts that you need to keep your car from deteriorating (like antenna seals, sun visor clips, etc.) are now simply not available or outrageously priced. Seems like less than 10 years ago MBZ continued to support these cars with reasonably priced parts. No more.
    If you buy this be prepared to look hard for oddball parts and pay dearly for them. Or you could fall into the parts car trap like I did!

    Like 2
  6. Avatar Willowen

    I have no problem with a 4-cylinder wagon, obviously, since all of mine have been (including my current 225K Forester). As long as it can make it most hills without dropping to 2nd I’m good. As for this, I’ve never been that interested in Benzes generally, but if it were on this coast instead of that one I could see thinking about it. But dismissing it as some kind of Slowmobile strikes me as silly. It’s a workhorse, not a race horse.

    Like 3
  7. Avatar Adrian Jojatu

    I ended up buying and put some money into it ,
    It is a real joy to drive it.
    I prefer to drive it with manual a wagon body and still get the joy of 100 mph !! if you want to,./..plenty of life span in this 102 engine. The beauty is the space in the trunk and you can carry when you flat down the rear seats ! it becomes a double bed of euro standards !

    Like 0
  8. Avatar Peter Engel

    You don’t have to convince 124 fans. We love these cars. I’m working on reactivating a 1991 300TE 4MATIC which has been off the road for over 10 years. It’s supposed to be a cold and snowy winter here in SE PA. I’m looking forward to putting the 4MATIC system through the paces.

    Like 0

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