1985 Mercedes-benz 300d Turbodiesel W123 Sedan Anthracite Grey Dealer Serviced on 2040-cars
Matawan, New Jersey, United States
Body Type:Sedan
Engine:Inline 5 Cylinder 3.0-liter Turbodiesel
Vehicle Title:Clear
Fuel Type:Diesel
For Sale By:Private Seller
Number of Cylinders: 5
Model: 300-Series
Trim: 4 Door Sedan
Drive Type: Rear Wheel Drive
Options: Sunroof, Cassette Player, CD Player
Mileage: 225,000
Power Options: Air Conditioning, Cruise Control, Power Locks, Power Windows
Sub Model: 300D
Exterior Color: Gray
Interior Color: Beige
Warranty: Vehicle does NOT have an existing warranty
This is my personal car for your consideration, a 1985 Mercedes-Benz 300D Turbodiesel W123 4-door sedan VIN WDBAB33C8FA191593, approximately 225,000 miles. Quite simply, I have had this car a very long time, just over 14 years. It's a well documented, well maintained two-known-owner car. I feel it's time to let it go to a good home, please read the full description and ask any questions you may have. Thanks.
History
If you're looking at this auction you're probably well aware of how special the W123 diesel cars are. Produced from 1976 through 1985, they are today one of the most sought after, loved and appreciated Mercedes passenger cars ever made. Vastly coveted for their ride, comfort, quality, safety, speed, efficiency and timeless style. With just the right amount of brightwork, the perfect balance and proportion, the right size, they are a pinnacle of the Bruno Sacco styling-era Mercedes-Benz cars, when they were "Engineered Like No Other Car in the World." This is the car that literally put Mercedes-Benz on the map, many will agree, quite possibly the best Mercedes-Benz product ever built.
This car was completed at Sindelfingen on August 24, 1984. Subsequently shipped to Baltimore and ordered/sold by Contemporary Motor Cars in Little Silver, New Jersey- sold/delivered on October 9, 1984. This car has also been largely dealer maintained and serviced by Contemporary Motor Cars, an official Mercedes-Benz Center, throughout its entire life! It has been a New Jersey car, mostly. I have two book binders filled with original and maintenance documentation relating to this car, easily over $40,000 in receipts. It's not perfect but I believed you'll be hard-pressed to find a better maintained, better documented, better driving, better cared-for or better all-around '85 300D Turbodiesel anywhere.
Equipment
It is one of the first '85 model-year cars built, specified in Anthracite Metallic (DB 172) over Palomino MB-Tex (#154) vinyl, this car was ordered with a factory electric sunroof (#410) at "No Charge," no other special equipment or factory options as most of these cars came one-way, with most everything as standard. OM617 Fuel Injected 3.0-liter 5-Cylinder Engine w/Turbocharger, "Federal" Non-Catalyst model… 4-Speed Automatic Transmission with Lock-Up Torque Converter, Power Windows, Power Assisted Steering, Power Brakes, Central Locks, Power Passenger Mirror, Automatic Climate Control, AM/FM/Cassette with Power Antenna, Integrated Fog Lights, Forged 14" Alloy Wheels w/Full Spare, the list goes on- everything as standard, original equipment.
This is the LAST and most desired year for the W123 Mercedes, with enhancements that are unique to the '85. Uprated 125-horsepower, revised automatic transmission with higher-stall speed, revised vacuum/electrical system, and a taller 2:88 rear axle final drive ratio.
This car is 100% original factory Mercedes-Benz. Every replacement part, repair, everyone who has worked on or touched this car has either been a Mercedes-Benz dealer employee or veteran Mercedes-Benz specialist. Most everything on this car is a FACTORY ORIGINAL replacement in the blue, silver and grey boxes, by Mercedes-Benz- real, genuine Mercedes parts! No aftermarket or OE catalog stuff! 95% of all the service while I've had the car has been through Contemporary Motor Cars, a Mercedes-Benz Center in New Jersey- also the dealership that sold this car originally. Quite simply, this car is all together, it's all there.
Condition/General Service History
Overall it's a pleasing car, very nice, mostly original condition. It's going to be 29 years old. It has been a daily driver and now a second car for many years. I have not been driving it much during the last four years. In the recent few years, I've put on four new Pirelli P4 tires, a new complete 3-in-1 Mercedes/Behr Radiator (radiator, transmission cooler and oil cooler) has been installed, trans cooler lines/seals, fluids, all new belts, new wipers and a recent valve adjustment. Just this last week (late May, 2013) a new Mercedes-Benz battery was fitted as well as an oil/filter service performed, automatic transmission fluid change and service, and a general check-up on the car was also performed. This car is ready for the summer, it's ready to go!
Body
The body is straight- the paint is okay for it's age, it still looks good on the street and can be brought back up with a buff. Mostly original metallic Mercedes paint from the 80's… and some 30 years on, it's faded, dry, dull, crazed, hazed and weak in areas. It's a great 20 footer- I've chosen to keep it original, I like the patina of the original paint, and as they say, "it's only original once." Minor scratches, pits, blisters and signs of age. This car has stayed outside and under a cover, not to mention having been driven in all sorts of weather. The paint is faded on the roof and trunk sections, etc. Some of the clear-coat has been replaced or blended, etc. Please see all pictures.
There is very little rust/corrosion on this car. All the body panels on the car are original, except for the driver's side front fender that was replaced after a minor collision over 13 years ago. Minor dings/dents, scratches, signs of wear, etc- things you would see on a 29-year-old car that's been driven and enjoyed. The car is straight and with a little bit of TLC, can be made better or back to as-new, pristine. Minor rust around/on the forward jacking points on the lower rocker panels (both sides). Minor rust behind the drivers, rear left wheel-arch/rear quarter panel (very common), as well as some blistering/corrosion along the forward portion of right rear wheel arch, etc. Please see all pictures.
Trim
The aluminum and polished brightwork is complete- and in good condition. Some minor staining, few marks, but it still shows nicely. The rubber/plastic trim too is mostly original from day-one, it's dry/shrunken in parts but overall presents well. Some bits and parts have been replaced over the years as needed. I have a complete set of rear window replacement trim and a rubber gasket for the rear windshield.
Interior
The interior is complete, clean and original and well taken care of. The Palomino MB-Tex and plastic trim and material have help-up well; but alas, there's some fading/wear in parts- normal for an original interior of this age. Beautiful door cards! Some of the piping on the arm-rest has cracked, there's a small crack in the driver's seat- no rips, burns or signs of abuse- the car has never been smoked in. Some of the material piping around the door/window posts is worn. Some minor cracks in the dash- all very common. All the wood is intact but has a few hairline cracks/scratches- but overall, the wood presents deep and rich. The signature heavy pile/loop carpeting is beautiful. Also included is a set of thick rubber all-weather mats that have kept the interior looking like new. Everything works, the Automatic Climate Control works nicely, but the AC needs a charge. Sometimes the trip odometer sticks with the heat, which causes the milage to stick, so the miles are approximately as shown- this is something rather recent, so figure it's around 225,000 miles, give or take. Sometimes the automatic speed control sticks or is temperamental, probably something vacuum or temperature related. The left rear window regulator is starting to "clunk/click," but it still works. The seats are still firm, springy and supportive- a hallmark of this kind of car. Pneumatic locks and vacuum system works great in this car. The passenger side lock tumbler/handle needs repair as it will not lock/unlock from the passenger side handle. Still has that signature Mercedes-Benz smell!
Modifications
There are few modifications that were done to this car. 1.) the headlights are Cibie H4s with high-performance bulbs 2.) the radio is a Blaupunkt Jackson AM/FM/Cassette head unit with integrated/remote Blaupunkt 10 CD changer mounted in the trunk and 4 upgraded MB Quart speakers in the original factory boxes/grills 3.) Factory Upgraded Breather Tube 4.) Factory Upgraded Fuel Injection Hand Primer Pump 5.) Accessory Sunroof Visor These are a few things that come to mind.
Engine, Drivetrain & Suspension
The car is fast, and it pulls like a train. It's smooth and quiet and has a powerful kick-down and pulls strong through the revs till red-line. Has great pick-up and can sustain high speeds all-day-long. It's very responsive and light on its feet. The car starts, idles and runs like a champ- a testament to the care and service of this car.
The Garrett turbocharger is quiet and produces great power, boosting this car to amazing, refined performance. Compression is great. It still gets 29 mpg! This car handles, tracks and goes down the road with great poise and surprising athleticism, much like it always did when it was a newer car. This car drives, handles and stops beautifully.
Accessories
This car comes with its original books, two keys and it's original jack and tool kit. Also included is the first aid kit, as well as a set of black rubber all-season floor mats. I also have a high-performance all weather car cover. I'll also try to include as many spares as I can find that I have accumulated over the years- basically a trunk-load full of spare parts!
Two binder books filled with service/repair records.
Please see all pictures, and ask any questions you may have. I'll be happy to work with your shipping company but the buyer assumes all responsibility for the safe shipment of the car upon cleared payment.
$500 non-refundable deposit due upon the completed auction. Car is sold as-is, no warranties expressed or implied whatsoever.
On May-26-13 at 20:49:19 PDT, seller added the following information:
There are two accidents reported- one was in 1999 and it is mentioned in the description- "minor fender-bender," the other in 2005. In 2005 a car in back of me in traffic had been rear-ended and that car slid/tapped the rear bumper strip. No damage to the rear bumper strip- but it's still reported as an "accident."
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