W124 250D Euro CA car
 

Wanting to sell my Euro 250D (602 motor). It is an original southern CA car imported (new) in 1985 by my friend. He ordered the car in Germany, drove it there for a season and had it imported and federalized; I purchased it from him. I bought it w/ 167k miles, now has 191k miles. I have all importation and federalization paperwork and I just paid for the new tags and CA title.

It is Ascot gray with Charcoal / Black cloth interior. Has auto trans, roll up windows, manual A/C (R12 and very cold too...just had the refrigerant topped off about 2 months ago), height adjustable headlights, orthopedic (taxi) drivers seat with the vinyl bolsters and a pwr sunroof. It is a really stout bare bones car.

The interior is very nice but there are cracks in the center console wood around the shifter, a 2" x 2" wear spot on the bottom driver's cushion (not showing through however), and some warping of the vinyl drivers door panel on the top edge where it meets the glass weatherstripping.

Nearly the day I purchased the car I had a completely new rear-end installed as the original was leaking and the bearings were on their way out. I also installed one new motor mount, coolant expansion tank, new (not rebuilt) Bosch alternator, belts, and all new springs (B&G) and shocks (KYB). I did the Bilsteins but the ride was too stiff so I bought the KYB's instead and the ride is less sporty but far more comfortable. I also put on a set of genuine AMG CLK 430 wheels (17") which are a staggered fitment in the correct offsets. The original wheels (which are also included and pictured) are a set of period SL wheels my friend had machined to the correct offset so he could run a slightly wider wheel than the original W124 wheels. I also have a box of new OEM misc factory parts...from engine dampers to suspension links to filters to the special fuel injection socket that come with the car. Yes, it also has the Euro hazzard triangle in the trunk as well as spare, tools, jack, and all German manuals.

This morning I dropped the car off to have the front suspension bushings replaced as they are getting old and starting to squeak...it was annoying. I am also replacing the sway-bar link as I broke the passenger side pulling in my driveway yesterday. BTW, the front sway-bar is the larger wagon bar.

Here is what it needs: The interior fan (blower motor) is finicky and sometimes I need to turn the ignition switch ever so slightly to get it to come on. I know it is the switch on the backside of the ignition but I have not purchased the part. The fan will ALWAYS work however but sometimes you need to barely turn the key to make that contact. I will say it again though...the A/C really works great. The original black dashboard has cracks so find a nice used one and replace it. I do not have the original MB front floor mats...they were shot so I have a cheapy set of mats in the front but they work and are subtle. That's it.

The car is very presentable and taken care of. It has always run Swepco 306 oil and fuel additive. It does not consume or leak oil. Starts quickly with almost no cranking...cold or hot. The car runs very, very well...no weird smoking, stumbling, hesitation, idling etc. Trans shifts great. It is very nice looking and the paint is very nice with very little flaws. It is also nearly ding and scratch free although it does have rock chips.

So why am I selling a cool Euro model in an oddball color with great gas mileage I bought form my friend who was the original owner? Easy...I've added more than four grand into a car that really isn't doing it for me. I drive this car every day on an 80 mile commute and frankly I'm not in love with it. It gets stellar mileage for a heavy sedan...I keep track of nearly every fill up and I've never had less than 32mpg (incl A/C running); if I drive on the freeway I can easily get 36. But the car is slow (will easily cruise at 75mph however) and although comfortable, it is just an antiquated sedan and I am ready for something else.

I will say this...if you like these w124 diesels, I think it's one of the best looking with the unmolested Euro look, nice wheels, exterior color, and slightly lowered stance. I also believe it is likely the most reliable model of the 124 line. If you are interested, it would be great if you could come to see it so you don't have any unanswered questions and you can look at, touch, drive it. I have a few bad pics attached and when I pick it up later in the week, I can take more in depth ones for anyone interested. Here is a link to the pics of the car w/ the AMG wheels from an old thread I posted when I tried to sell them:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/315873-17-oem-amg-clk-staggered-wheels-w124.html

If someone wants to tackle the front suspension bushings themselves, I will knock some off the price. I'm asking $4900.

Cool Euro 124 diesel, looks really nice! :thumbsup: Wish I could take it of your hands! Prefer the look of the stock hub caps or alloys as shown in your above post though myself.

I've looked into importing a used W124 diesel, now that the '85 thru '87 MY's can be legally brought over to the US without any modifications. But for anything that's not rusted out & looks at least as nice as the one your selling, dealer asking prices range from $7K-$12K (US)! :eek: Before even thinking about shipping/broker fees & fixing any minor issues when it gets here! Also, it's hard to find any over there with both an automatic & A/C too!

Good luck!

That's a very neat/unique W124 - those cars just don't "do it for me" either which is why I moved back to the older models but this is a really nice example and I'd be all over it a couple years ago. :) Why does your driver seatback not match the rest? (It has vinyl on the sides)

This would be a great investment at the asking price!

Thanks! As I understand it, it is a taxi-spec drivers seat hence the bolsters but I actaully have no idea...this is what I was told. That drivers seat also has some additional adjustments to the lumbar area. He ordered the car w/ some odd stuff including the gray trim.

I've had a 123 250D manual in the past. Those previous body styles are more whimsical and classic looking in my opinion but their driving experience is ancient compared w/ the 124...I couldn't deal. The 124s are nice driving cars eventhough they are also from by-gone era.

new photos

more photos

more. I have a bunch I can email if needed.

Still available?

That car is straight up BAD ASS!
I love the way it looks.

VERY cool car!