The W123 needs no introduction on GCFSB. These were Mercedes-Benz’s bread and butter models between 1977 and 1985 and they combined durability, luxury and style like few cars have been able to do. While these cars are known for their ability to rack up hundreds of thousands of miles with little hassle, you can still find clean, lower mileage examples of coupes and sedans from time to time. The estate versions, however, tend to be the workhorse and good quality examples are a bit more tough to source. This particular TDT is one of the best that I’ve come across in recent memory.
1983 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT on eBay
This might be the lowest mileage 123 series Mercedes wagon in the country. There are only 98k well maintained miles on it since new. This gorgeous Mercedes wagon was sold new in Sacramento, CA in 1983. In 2001, when the original owner passed away his widow sold it to the second owner in Orange County, CA. He sold the car to a gentleman from Maine in 2005 and purchased it back from him in 2007. The car still has the original paint on every panel and it still shines like on the first day. It was finished in Taiga Beige (MB color code 684) with palomino color MB-tex interior.
This car was always parked in a garage and it shows. It has never been in any kind of accident and there are dings or dents on it. The body and the paint are in truly amazing condition for an almost 30 year old car. The interior is very clean as well, as the many pictures will show. The carpets are clean, there are no rips or tears in the seats and even the wood panels are in great condition. This car has been very well maintained and i have the books and receipts to show it.
A new transmission was installed in 2009 with 93k miles. Together with the complete 90k mile service and new drive shaft axles this bill came to $3900. The work was done by Silver Star Motors in Escondido, CA. This car shifts and accelerates like a Mercedes diesel with a very low mileage should. There are no strange noises of any kind. It always starts up right away and it is not slow at all. All the instruments work the way they should.
All the windows, the door locks and even the original radio with the power antenna still function well. This car would be perfect for a collector. There are just not that many 123 series wagons with less than 100k miles around anymore. They are often on Ebay with 300k-400k miles and still running well. This wagon would also be a perfect family car for somebody who wants to drive it every day. If you keep maintaining this car like it has been maintained, you should be good for the next 30 years. It would also be a perfect candidate for Bio diesel conversion. This way you could drive it on vegetable oil or even free waste oil from restaurants. I have never tried it, but with gasoline prices where they are today, it sounds like a good idea.
I would prefer to sell this car to somebody local who could actually come out and see it/inspect it BEFORE the auction ends. But I would also try to be helpful with shipping or a airport pick up. All shipping charges would have to be paid by the buyer. This is a wonderful, gorgeous, well maintained and original 30 year old car and it will be sold as is, where is and without a warranty.
The buy it now price of almost $17,000 is serious money for a 30 year old estate with almost 100,000 miles. If it were any other brand of vehicle, it would seem ludicrous. However, like a fine timepiece, with regular maintenance and care, these are cars for a lifetime. Still, it’s a few thousand dollars more than I’d be willing to pay. I’ve seen these sell for more, though, so I’m sure it will find a new home in short order.
-Paul
Cool car, but price seems insane. $17k goes a long way to buying a new Jetta Sportwagen.
if you are cross shopping a W123 estate and a Jetta Sportwagon, well, I think you’ve missed the point.
Run it hard (like you should) and it will be around in another 200,000 miles. These are no excuses cars that can take “the heat”. The same cannot be said for the Jetta. V.W. is just another car these days.
For $10 – $12k I get the point. Above that, the value just isn’t there. A sportwagen is pretty nice, you should check it out. 🙂
Okay, let’s get a cherry Fox two door wagon on here!
The W123 300TD was a classic car, and would run forever with reasonable upkeep. That said, pricing has reached cult-like status. For those of us lacking that cult-like adoration, the market pricing seems crazy.
No, there is no real comparison between a W123 wagon and a new Jetta Sportwagen TDI. Two entirely different cars. I’d probably consider a nice W124 wagon (or even a W210 wagon) in this price range.
Perhaps if VW could see fit to offer a B7 Passat Sportwagen TDI in the US…well then, sign me up.
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