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1985 Mercedes-benz 300d Low Miles Excellent Driving Condition on 2040-cars

Year:1985 Mileage:112509 Color: Smoke Silver Metallic /
 Black
Location:

Cary, North Carolina, United States

Cary, North Carolina, United States
Transmission:Automatic
Body Type:Sedan
Engine:OM617.952 5 cylinder diesel
Vehicle Title:Clear
Fuel Type:Diesel
For Sale By:Private Seller
VIN: wdbab33cxfa257027 Year: 1985
Number of Cylinders: 5
Model: 300-Series
Trim: Turbo Diesel
Drive Type: Automatic
Options: Sunroof
Mileage: 112,509
Power Options: Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Windows
Sub Model: W123
Exterior Color: Smoke Silver Metallic
Interior Color: Black
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
Condition: Used: A vehicle is considered used if it has been registered and issued a title. Used vehicles have had at least one previous owner. The condition of the exterior, interior and engine can vary depending on the vehicle's history. See the seller's listing for full details and description of any imperfections. ... 

I am sadly selling my beautiful Smoke Silver Mercedes, with the rare, black MB Tex interior that looks new.  I am moving to Richmond, Va and the partners at my new firm want me to drive something more modern, so a Volkswagen Passat has replaced my dependable 300D.  


This car is incredibly reliable and has a great story.  It, and another like it, was purchased new by an unmarried dentist with practices in two states.  He would work up north during the summers, and head south in the winters.  The dentist drove each car whenever he was at the particular house each was kept.  He retired a few years ago, and had both cars in NC.  He had them serviced at a well known Mercedes shop here, when the shop owner and lead tech convinced him to sell it, so the shop could not only enjoy it, but also keep their "old diesel skills" sharp as they replaced the typical w123 chassis parts that tend to fail with age.

Over the next year, the shop completed all service you would expect and more.  All fluids were flushed and changed (oil, coolant, transmission, brakes, differential, fuel tank).  Of course, the oil, transmission, air, and fuel filters were changed (and I have changed the fuel filters during subsequent oil changes).  All V belts were replaced.  The brakes were replaced, including a new master cylinder.  The door lock actuators and vacuum lines were replaced.  The shop used a smoke machine to track any other leak in the vacuum lines and replaced those, plus any that seemed ready for replacement.  The fuel sending unit and exhaust hangers were replaced.  The A/C was converted to R134 and works great.  The shop installed a new power antenna.  A new battery and four new Michelins were added at 107,000 miles, which is when I bought it.  I replaced a rear door strap.

This car starts right up, every time, runs like new, and it is very dependable.  All of the gauges work, with the exception of the dashboard clock (but I have the parts to fix it).  The A/C and heat work well.  This car needs nothing, and I would drive it across the country if I needed to.

Since I have had it, I researched everything about this car and purchased a ton of parts.  I am handy with a wrench, having owned several other classic vehicles and motorcycles, and I was planning to proactively replace some items to ensure trouble free, long-distance driving for another 30 years.  I really planned on keeping this forever, and using it to visit clients and courtrooms across the state.  I have since been advised to avoid this plan.  

I purchased, but have not installed, top quality replacement parts, maintenance items, and servicing tools.  
These include OEM transmission and valve cover gaskets, transmission filters, Bosch glow plugs, Monark Fuel injector nozzles (already balanced), several oil and fuel (primary and secondary) filters, any and all vacuum connections you can think of, several of each type of fuses (not like blade fuses), signal light bulbs, a diesel fuel nozzle pressure tester, engine mounts, a water pump, valve adjustment wrenches (I used them to check and adjust the valves already), a vacuum line tester, a glow chamber reamer tool, seat net repair kit, a new fuel tank screen and screen removal tool, new fuel injector lines, new vacuum lines, various service manuals, and a whole bunch of other things that do not come to mind immediately.  I spent about $1,900 on these items and the winning bidder will have the option to take them with the 300D for a substantially reduced price.  I also have a set of 15" Mercedes-Benz rims.

I add a few ounces of 2-stroke oil to the fuel tank at every fill up, since the ultra-low sulfer diesel fuel that has been used since 2007 does not provide the same level of lubrication as the earlier fuel did.  I also add an ounce of Naptha to the fuel tank at each fill up to ensure any microbial growth in the station's tanks do not survive in my fuel tank.  I get a pretty consistent 28 mpg in a mix of city and highway driving.

This car does not appear to have ever been in any accidents.  The title and autocheck are clear.  In fact, the autocheck gives it a very high rating compared to its peers.  The paint has the typical age spots, minor dings, and oxidation.  I had a quote to make it look like new for $1,200 from a reputable body shop - not a chain.
There are a couple of cracks in the dashboard, and the right dash pod (vent) slips out of place because it needs to be replaced, they can be sourced for $25.

Please contact me with any questions, a request for any additional pictures, or to set up an inspection.  I will assist with travel arrangements, if needed, at the buyer's expense.



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