1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D

It might not be the flashiest or fastest of vehicles, but in my book, the W123 is a car that garners my highest respect. This was about as well engineered a product as it gets in the automotive realm; a car that was built to outlast the Pyramids. Sold for a decade between the mid 1970s and mid 1980s, Mercedes sold over 2.3 million W123 sedans in petrol and diesel form. This 240D for sale in California is a stunning example that appears showroom fresh and has the 2.4 OM616 4-cylinder diesel paired with a 4-speed manual gearbox. In Anthracite with the optional alloy wheels, this car has aged well. It’s a good mix of modern and classic all in one.

1983 Mercedes-Benz 240D on eBay

Original California ’83 Mercedes 240D, 48,308 actual miles, 4-speed manual transmission, 2-owner California 240D.

Thank you for spending the time to review this listing for my 240D. This is truly as nice as they will come. I will be thorough with my description and photos. It is quite difficult to describe in words how oustanding this all original 240 has been preserved. Let’s start from the beginning. In 1983, this 240D was sold new to a San Francisco Bay Area Pharmacist. I am the 2nd owner. The 240 has been and is always garage kept. Inside and out, it looks as new as a late model Mercedes. It has been pampered over the past 30 years in the rust-free SF Bay Area. A much more desirable climate than Southern California, where the dry air & scorching sun age the the rubber, interior and exterior. The humidity is higher in Northern California, which has certainly kept all the rubber on this Mercedes looking as new. No dry cracked weatherstripping, or fading in any areas whatsoever. This is a rust-free car. The paint looks as glossy as it was in ’83. The chrome is all shiny and flawless. Each door molding and each window trim piece are all like new. The rubber moldings are smooth without any damage or fading.

The front and rear lights are perfect. Living under shade and in the garage has literally kept this car looking like a ‘time capsule car’. Not only is this a great and rare car, but 1983 is the last production year for the 240D in the USA, and this one has options! The best color combo: Anthracite grey metallic paint with Palomino MB-Tex upholstery was a $673.00 option. Electrically operated sliding roof was $829.00! Also, the Forged Light alloys, $537.00, set the standard 240D and this rare gem worlds apart. The condition of this car truly excellent. It is as close to new as you will find. Never smoked in by the original owner or myself. I’ve never had any food or beverages inside the vehicle, and I am certain the previous owner never did either. The interior is perfect. I cannot note one issue with this car’s interior. The headliner is perfect. The lettering for each button, turn signal, wipers, radio are all like new looking. All seats are flawless. The seats are firm, free of creases or blemishes. The carpet is soft, free of any stains or wear. Absolutely no fading, no splits, no dryness, no rust anywhere. The dash looks perfect. There are no blemishes whatsoever.

Everything works, all gauges, all buttons and controls, all electrical, nothing needs attention. I have also serviced the 240 within the past week, she will take you anywhere. The trunk compartment is as close to new as possible. No score-marks, no damage, no issues. Full-size spare with new tire. All tools, books, 3 keys available. The 4 jack points are flawless, each fitted with a plug. There have been no issues with this 240D. The only thing I’ve replaced is the antenna mast, with factory/original Mercedes part. The mechanical condition is everything you expect for a 48k mile, outstanding car.

The 4-cylinder naturally aspirated engine is in excellent condition. The engine sounds wonderful. It is quiet, powerful when matched with the 4-speed manual. An automatic 240D is not much fun to drive, the manual will also last longer. The 4-speed is in excellent condition. Each gear is strong, no slipping whatsoever. Clutch is perfect. I cherish this car, and do not abuse any part of the transmission or engine. It deserves to be driven with a lot of care and responsibility. The only notable exterior blemishes I know of are just below the windshield wipers, there are a few minuscule micro-rock chips that have been touched up with Mercedes paint. They are no larger than the tip of a match-head. On the right fender there is one micro-rockchip that has also been touched up. You must be looking for, and know where these are to really notice. Afterall, it has been on the road for 48k, but could just as easily be 4800 miles with how presentable the car is. I am noting those two small touched-up spots since they are the only micro blemishes, yes micro-blemishes, on the entire vehicle. Keeping it from being labeled a perfect car, 10 of 10. There are no dings, or dents, or any damage whatsoever on the car. I do hate to part with this hard to find 240D, but I must downsize the collection. I also have an excellent condition, original, local CA car 1980 300SD (w116) with low 132k miles, that will be listed soon also. I am the second owner of both diesels. Here is a list of features from the original window sticker for this 240, and a side condition note on each feature.

PAINT & UPHOLSTERY
172 PAINT-ANTHRACITE GREY METALLIC – excellent
154 UPHOLSTERY-PALOMINO MB TEX – excellent

STANDARD FEATURES INCLUDE:
4-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION – excellent
POWER STEERING – excellent
AIR-CONDITIONING – excellent
POWER ASSISTED FOUR WHEEL DISC BRAKES – excellent
CRUISE CONTROL – excellent
CENTRAL LOCKING SYSTEM – excellent
FULLY INDEPENDENT SUSPENSION – excellent
STEEL BELTED RADIAL-PLY TIRES – excellent
TINTED GLASS – excellent
ELECTRICALLY HEATED REAR WINDOW – excellent
2-SPEED WINDSHIELD WIPERS WITH 5-SECOND INTERVAL MIST CONTROL – excellent
QUARTZ CHRONOMETER – excellent
FRONT AND REAR CENTER FOLDING ARM REST – excellent
FRONT HEADRESTS – excellent
PARCEL NETS – excellent, look like they have never been used
ADJUSTABLE FRONT BUCKET SEATS – excellent
TRUNK CARPETING – excellent
HALOGEN FOG LAMPS – excellent
HALOGEN HEAD LAMPS – excellent
AUTOMATIC ANTENNA WITH SELECTIVE HEIGHT ADJUSTMENT – excellent, brand new, control fully operable
ELECTRICALLY OPERATED RIGHT OUSTIDE MIRROR – excellent
VELOUR CARPETING – ‘as new’ condition!
FIRST AID KIT – excellent

OPTIONAL EQUIPMENT
252 BECKER EUROPA STEREO CASSETTE
410 ELECTRICALLY OPERATED SLIDING ROOF $829.00 – excellent
494 CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL EQUIPMENT – excellent
640 FORGED LIGHT ALLOY WHEELS $537.00 – excellent, each wheel looks like new!

5-PASSENGER SEDAN WITH 2.4 LITER OHC 4-CYLINDER DIESEL WITH DIESEL FUEL INJECTION
147 CUBIC INCH ENGINE, 4-SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION, FUEL INJECTION, CALIFORNIA EMISSION CONTROL SYSTEM

I was stunned how much time the seller took in describing the weatherstripping alone. That tells you something about this car. I’ve seen plenty of W123s in great shape with over 100,000 miles that would still go on trucking for years. This car is in another league. There’s not many W123s left with under 50,000 miles as these were the workhorse vehicles of the Mercedes-Benz range. But the mileage on this car indicates that it is barely broken in. It’s almost as if you’re buying a new W123. The Buy it Now price may seem high, but it’s actually not as far off the mark as one may think. I’ve seen similar late model W123 sedans with 50,000 miles and under bring over $20,000 on certain occasion. This example is certainly one of the best on the market at the moment, but even still, I’d probably go about $15,000 max. If this was a 300D, I’d maybe stretch to the seller’s asking price, only because I know this car would last me a lifetime.

-Paul