A friend from high school recently wrote me asking for car-buying advice, which is obviously one of my favorite pastimes. He wants something “old, rad, German, efficient and semi-reliable.” While my normal predilections tend towards 80s and fast rather than efficient and semi-reliable, his parameters instantly brought a car to mind: Mercedes W123 diesels. Motoringconbrio’s recent guest article had these cars fresh in my mind anyway, and helps show how truly badass these cars and look and be. If only Mercedes brought more manuals to the US! The best diesel on eBay right now is actually the slightly-earlier W115, but is just as classic and badass. If you’re less concerned with revs than cruisability and efficiency, this is mean machine.
1975 Mercedes-Benz 240D
1975 Mercedes-Benz 240D. This fine automobile, “Good Ol’ Blue,” is a wonderful example of the very desirable Mercedes W115 chassis. This is a one family vehicle with 103,259 original miles and has been safely tucked away in a garage, covered and lovingly cared for. My father purchased this Mercedes from Leo Payne Pontiac-‘Jeep’-GMC Trucks in Lakewood, Colorado on July 28, 1975. I have the original bill of sale and all original owner’s manuals, maintenance log and parts catalog.
My mother drove this car for years, literally to and from Wal-Mart or the beauty parlor. Several years ago, she decided to quit driving and gave the car to me. I’ve stored it in my garage and have driven it occasionally (mostly for nostalgia) on Sundays (and only in good weather!). The car still turns heads and I always get compliments on it. See the fourth row in the chart below for information on this particular Mercedes. This car was number 93,528 or 131,319 ever manufactured.
As you can see from the pictures, this is a very pristine Mercedes 240D class. The car is mechanically sound and starts easily and runs great. It has the original paint job – Robin Egg blue – and factory original parts (other than routine maintenance required). These cars are very desirable with the automatic transmission and it gets good fuel mileage, depending on how its driven.
The interior is immaculate (factory original) with the exception of a minor tear in the driver’s seat back and a small crack in the center of the dash. The carpet, floor mats and rest of interior are in extraordinary condition. Glass, chrome, rubber, tires, hub caps all in great condition too.
If you have any questions about the car, please email me. I will be happy to answer any questions you may have and a will also be happy to return your call if you’ll leave your number (and a good time to call). If you need additional photos, please let me know.
This car will be sold as is and without warranty. Buyer is responsible for all state and local taxes and the pick up of the Mercedes 240D. $750 non-refundable deposit due on close of auction with full payment due within 72 hours. I have tried to describe in detail and with high quality pictures. Please keep in mind that this is a 37 year old one family-owned car. Minor signs of wear may be present under close inspection. Pre-sale inspections are wanted. I would not hesitate to make a cross country trip in this car today. Good luck and happy bidding! This is a one of a kind beauty!
I am a 100% diesel believer. My next car will be diesel, and I think a Jetta TDI Wagon would be a great replacement for the truck and a complement for the M5. If I wanted a cruising sedan though, it would be one of these. The blue here is fantastic and I love the matching hubcaps of this era. A little lower like the one on MCB would be extra mean, but nothing is needed to make this Benz Diesel badass. Reserve is off at $5,100 with over a day left. Prices are really steady on these, and with just 107k miles this is a 37 year-old baby. Anything under $10k is a very fair deal on this classic Benz.
-NR
Beautiful condition…but………s……l……………..o……….w.
W115 240D… the only manual transmission car I’ve ever driven that couldn’t spin its rear tires on polished concrete. And that was when it was new.
These things are great if you want that classic Mercedes look, feel, sound and smell. Unfortunately you could replace the speedometer with a sundial.