300D Manual on ebay in Florida

[pj67coll]

There's a interesting 85 300D manual on e-bay in Florida. Unfortunately no way to tell if it's a four of five speed from the photos. Or even if it's originally an auto that was converted or a factory manual. But given that it's a Euro it could well be an original manual. But if it's as claimed then it's one of the most desirable cars ever in my opinion.

- Peter.

[WDBCB20]

It's a non-turbo and that car came with a 4speed manual. If those 63975 are real miles it hasn't exactly been coddled.

[pj67coll]

Originally Posted by WDBCB20

It's a non-turbo and that car came with a 4speed manual. If those 63975 are real miles it hasn't exactly been coddled.

Yes. I know it's a non turbo. It's also a Euro, and they could be ordered in Europe with 5 speeds if desired. I doubt the miles are genuine. But these are such tanks that if it is a 5 speed, with the 5 cylinder engine it's almost the perfect combo of simplicity and performance in my opinion. Even a 4 speed manual would be fine for me.

- Peter.

[h3ffe]

They aren't real. It's got a US speedometer...possibly swapped when it was federalized.

Originally Posted by WDBCB20

It's a non-turbo and that car came with a 4speed manual. If those 63975 are real miles it hasn't exactly been coddled.

[SonnyMorrow]

Very ugly/beautiful W123. Its seen some stuff before but its a unique color and a manual. Its indeed a Euro as the trunk lid doesnt say diesel on the right hand corner, also it has the Euro headlight vacuum adjustment knob on the interior. Of course the bumpers scream Euro but they get swapped a lot, usually no one would ever take the time to pull the badge off the trunklid and repaint it + adding the vacuum switch for the headlights. Lights are USA and the speedometer is USA.

Now I might be wrong but I think its a 4 speed if you look at the speedometer there are suggested shifting points. Theres a ' at 24 mph a '' at 40 mph a ''' at 65 mph if you look carefully. These mean to shift from first to second at 24 ish mph and from 2nd to 3rd at 40 mph and 3rd to 4th at 65 mph.

I've got an '84 Euro with the same set up which is a 4 speed. You really have to zoom in to see what I mean. Or click this link: https://imgur.com/9gKudRV



Now there is a dot at 96 ish mph on mine and the car in question. Does that indicate to shift to 5th gear if optioned? No idea but I'd assume the 5 speed would have a '''' somewhere for continuity. Although it seems the federalization process is never very accurate so who knows.... I think it depended on how you imported it or Grey Marketed it.

Seems the manuals most often (9 times out of 10) had no arm rest. I've seen them with arm rests though stock but its just not too common. I believe the arm rest gets in the way sort of so people didn't option it that frequently.

Trunk triangle is missing, maybe different countries didn't offer it.

Appears to be some weird EGR setup, there is a hose connecting to the exhaust manifold which presumably recirculates into the intake.

Steering wheel has good amount of texture to it and I don't think the car exceeds 150k miles going off of that. The pedals don't look extremely worn either.

Overall this car sat in the sun for a lonnng time and the interior is turning pink in the usual spots. The car has been cleaned up to look decent in terms of the paint. I'm surprised it is at $4500 right now. I guess Euro manuals are sought after more than ever.

All just observations, I find it fun to see what I can discern from a W123.

[pj67coll]

I agree with your analysis. Most likely a 4 speed. Definitely a federalized Euro import. US lights, and speedometer. Everything else Euro.

- Peter.

[WDBCB20]

No "analysis" necessary. If the VIN is accurate then this is the car:

https://www.ilcats.ru/mercedes/?VinAction=Choose&function=getGroups&vin=WDB1231301A059790&class=1&aggtype=FG&catalog=222&model=123130&language=en

Which, as I previously mentioned has the 4speed manual. The car is overpriced for its condition in my opinion.

Those Getrag 5 speeds appear to have a reputation of not being the most robust.

[SonnyMorrow]

Originally Posted by WDBCB20

No "analysis" necessary. If the VIN is accurate then this is the car:

https://www.ilcats.ru/mercedes/?VinAction=Choose&function=getGroups&vin=WDB1231301A059790&class=1&aggtype=FG&catalog=222&model=123130&language=en

Which, as I previously mentioned has the 4speed manual. The car is overpriced for its condition in my opinion.

Those Getrag 5 speeds appear to have a reputation of not being the most robust.

That's cheating. I agree, the car is overpriced for sure but it seems W123s are fetching more than they used to as of lately, especially online sales. No disrespect to the new owner but this wagon sold the other day: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-mercedes-benz-300td-turbo-28/ 16k and it is not very well kept, good amout of rust and the fender is damaged.

On the other end of the spectrum, price wise and condition wise, this 240d sold for 26k: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-mercedes-benz-240d-23/

Even notes a repainted area and its an automatic. I think its safe to say the prices are going up for these cars in general.

[vwnate1]

FWIW, the speedo marks are NOT shift points ! .

They're maximum speeds per gear .

Read your manuals ! .

I don't see the link for the sale ? .

[WDBCB20]

Originally Posted by SonnyMorrow

https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1985-mercedes-benz-300td-turbo-28/ 16k and it is not very well kept, good amout of rust and the fender is damaged.

On the other end of the spectrum, price wise and condition wise, this 240d sold for 26k: https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1983-mercedes-benz-240d-23/

Even notes a repainted area and its an automatic. I think its safe to say the prices are going up for these cars in general.

The nostalgia fetish premium is what we're looking at here. Nice daily drivers that'll last you as long as you can stay ahead of the looming NLA parts reality check.

However, at these price points, $16K not to mention $26K, there are quite a number of vehicles I'd rather be in to not find myself crawling up a freeway on-ramp or cruising at 80mph with the engine screaming at 4000rpm.

E.g. a 2005 e320 cdi between $4K and $7K.

[YousefTAK]

Any link to the listing?

[SonnyMorrow]

Originally Posted by vwnate1

FWIW, the speedo marks are NOT shift points ! .

They're maximum speeds per gear .

Read your manuals ! .

I don't see the link for the sale ? .

Well technically that is the shifting points on a diesel W123... but you are right.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/1985-Mercedes-Benz-300-Series-300D-Manual-Transmission/203094735991?hash=item2f4963bc77:g:Y94AAOSw7kRfTV8X

Originally Posted by YousefTAK

Any link to the listing?

Link is above, ends in 1 day 14 hr. I have zero affiliation with the car or the sale for the record.

[tmessenger]

This car has been repainted or at least the front end, look at the over-spray on the radiator. No AC, dented door, missing door card, dirty interior and etc. I have to wonder what the reserve is.

[SonnyMorrow]

Originally Posted by tmessenger

This car has been repainted or at least the front end, look at the over-spray on the radiator. No AC, dented door, missing door card, dirty interior and etc. I have to wonder what the reserve is.

Good eye, I looked a bit harder and it looks like the whole car was probably repainted. Looks like a transition between factory paint and new paint:




Thoughts?

[vwnate1]

This is pretty common and many don't even notice it when it's done well .