Bidding is currently quite low on this desirable Mercedes-Benz 300TD wagon, which is offered with no reserve. The W123 lineup is one of the most durable and desirable Mercedes models ever made, with the diesel-powered wagons among the more sought-after models. The wagon has relatively low mileage for one of these long-lived Benzes, with just over 164,000 miles on the clock. That’s practically nothing for a diesel W123, and with no apparent rust (that we can see – the Mercedes is located in Severn, Maryland so anything is possible in that part of the world) and a pretty color combination, we’re not sure why bidding isn’t more active. Find it here on eBay with bids currently sitting at $3,750.
It seems like a few years ago that even a clean W123 was getting way too much money at auction, but I feel like those days have passed. There’s a clear re-alignment happening, especially among the European marques that shot up like gangbusters three years ago. This was largely associated with air-cooled Porsches, but if you followed the action across different makes and models, you likely saw a wide variety of vehicles getting silly money. While we will likely continue to see pure driver’s cars net strong results, I suspect the models that aren’t of the performance variety – such as a W123 – will come back down to earth in a hurry.
The seller’s car is clearly a decent driver and not all all a time-warp specimen, which is another contributing factor behind the slow-paced auction action. It really does take an absolute stunner of a car to get all the money in the world for a W123, and while the interior is original, it clearly has a few rough patches. As someone who prioritizes a car’s usability over how flawless it is, this is the sort of condition I’d jump on because it means it will sell for a reasonable price and you won’t be afraid to use it. A wagon is a wonderful thing to have in your garage, as it offers a ton of usability while still possessing all of the intangible qualities of a cherished classic marque and model.
The listing doesn’t tell us much about the Mercedes’ mechanical history. Even if these are incredibly durable machines, you still want to see evidence of routine fluid changes, glowplug replacement, engine mounts, and other common Mercedes fixes. If the next owner swapped out the headlights for the Bosch H4 European assemblies, the looks would change dramatically. The 3.0L engine will provide relaxed acceleration but it will get you into traffic and hold highway speeds with all the comfort and poise of an over-built Mercedes-Benz. With bids this low, there’s a strong likelihood someone is going to steal this long-roof W123.
These are cool family haulers.There was a guy who pulled up
to a store I worked at in the ’90’s.It was White,& in immaculate condition.
He said he didn’t use it much,& would sell it for $10,000.
Probably should have bought it & kept it.
If you’d u close you can see the rust picture Commack mounts plus last the exhaust you can see it. Also front drivers render has been replaced paint does not match the rest of the car.
I have nearly 300,000 miles on mine- and still going strong. It has TOTALED Two lightweight Javanese cars that ran into my rear end with barely a scratch on my wagon. Slow as a 5 cyl diesel turbo–but it gets you there!
These look great, but are s-l-o-w, dangerously so. I wonder if the Cummins 2.8R diesel could be swapped into something like this?
They aren’t THAT slow. I had a ’79, non-turbo that was fine. True, it was a freshly rebuilt 3.0, but I don’t recall a huge difference in acceleration post-rebuild (just couldn’t start the darn thing). Definitely a solid, safe, car for my precious cargo (wife and 3 kids!).
These seem slow until you adapt to them,then they’re not so bad.
The problem is not the owner/driver, but all the other cars on the road. On the highways in CA, this car would be a nightmare. And yes, I’ve driven a friend’s well-maintained sedan version in the past and I would not want to drive this in a built-up area again.
Its up to $5200 now. I wonder if the sunroof leaks? These cars are notorious for rotting out the front and rear fender wells. I always thought that it would be cool to take one of these and shorten it by taking the back seats out and the rear doors, then welding it all back together into a 2 door sport wagon. I have seen people take the 3ltr motor out and replace it with a chevy 350….
They will run on peanut oil, and similar without much trouble at all. Just do not let it freeze, or get the whole kit with heater from MercedesSource.com. They are the GURUS of this vehicle, and support everything on these cars with videos! Really cool! New and used and restored parts!
If I were in the US, I’d buy it, convert it to a stick shift and drive it until I am so old I can’t drive it anymore, then in my will, I’d pass it on to Keith Richards, even though I know he will be the last owner because even we all know that even the diesel W123 can not outlive Keith.
Awesome looking car. I remember when the Mercedes-Benz W123 300TD was first on the market. IMHO, it’s the best looking car Mercedes-Benz offered. This would make an awesome taxicab.
tops for this wagonman.
Just all ways an inch or 2 out of my grasp in price’n now?
Into ‘classic’ so starting to be by feet and yards now.
My birthday’s nxt month !
Anybody?