SOLD 2/13/2015

I purchased this car very recently because I wanted the wheels from it (don’t ask why). I discovered much to my surprise that the car was a one-family car since new, spent at least 9 years in storage, and was a garage queen always.

When I bought the car I was told that the car leaked some oil. I wasn’t told that the oil leak was on the driver’s feet! It was the oil pressure gauge leaking.

The true mileage of the car is estimated to be 170,000 which seems higher than I would expect given the overall condition of the car. The odometer stopped at 140,000 and I replaced it with a rebuilt odometer that says 111,000 miles. So the current odometer has the wrong numbers but is working. I have no way of proving the true mileage, I’m going on what I was told from the family who sold me the car.

I have replaced the speedometer, instrument cluster oil gauge, speedometer cable, wheels, tires, cleaned the fuel sender so the fuel gauge works now, detoxified the fuel so that the fuel sender doesn’t get gummed up again.

The good: interior is as good as you will find (Palomino), the exterior is excellent (dark blue), engine starts and runs very well and has good acceleration, transmission shifts perfectly and doesn’t slip, handling is pretty good, seats have great support, no rust, no evidence of any accidents, probably original paint, newer tires and refreshed Bundt alloy wheels (period correct), brakes are great, instruments all work correctly. Original documentation, tools, manuals, 3 keys including a valet key. Blue plate car. Extremely original including radio, never run on wvo or biodiesel, nothing ever converted. Dash is excellent but not perfect. Wood is perfect. Carpets are very good except for one spot that has oil stains that I have not tried to clean. Clean title in my name registered through December 2015.

The less-good: AC doesn’t blow cold. Heat works and temp selector works (if you set it for cold you don’t get hot air, if you set it for hot you do get hot air). I bought car with instruction to “not use the sunroof” so I have not opened the sunroof – I assume it needs to be lubricated or that the felt feet need to be replaced. The vacuum system is pretty good – doors all lock correctly and engine shuts off correctly but loses vacuum when locked so when you unlock it, only driver’s door unlocks until you start the car. I have been told that the gas cap actuator and trunk lock actuator leak which would explain this. Limited service history but records dating from 1992 plus the dealer booklet that is stamped. Power antenna only partially works. Neutral safety switch should be replaced because backup light switch doesn’t work (part of neutral safety switch) but safety part (only start in P or N) does work. Cruise control doesn’t work and I haven’t investigated it.

If I were going to keep this car (or recommend to buyer) I would do the following: Flush cooling system because I don’t know when it was last done, replace auto trans fluid and filter because I don’t know when it was last done, flush brake fluid (although it looks clean), replace neutral safety switch, fix vacuum leaks and then look at AC – does it need a recharge or is there a more serious problem. Investigate the sunroof – lots of stuff on youtube about fixing the sunroof, I just don’t want to put the work into these things. I have scrounged some replacement parts – better sun visors and additional front carpets, but haven’t installed them.

Album of 20 photos taken today can be found here:
1981 Mercedes 300D Photos by srallen | Photobucket

I'm thinking $3000 but if you think I'm wrong please say so.
Pasadena CA

thanks
Scott

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Reduced to $2900 obo. I think this is by far the best value in Los Angeles on Craigslist. I have a very interested buyer who hasn't committed. I've started using this as my daily driver and I like it.

Too much for a non-turbo car. They are just dogs without a turbo.

That is a fair price for a SoCal w123. GLWS

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1982 300TDT
1991 190D
2022 Metris

Not true in my experience. They are about the same until 40mph. I've seen some very poor running 95X's which a 912 would easily outrun. Now passing on a two lane going 55 mph already? Take the turbo- but a generalized statement that "they are just dogs" is a dis-service.

Looks like a nice car. GLWS.

That's kind of a useless and ignorant statement. People are trying to find stick shift 240 D cars... Are they also worthless? Also this car seems quicker than my 85 300TD up to a certain point. It does just fine in traffic but I don't think it would do well after about 55 mph in terms of acceleration. I know it's going to have a WAY lower top speed, but that's not really an issue to lots of people.

$2600....

The turbo is nice, but not essential, on the freeway. Irellivant anywhere else. And more of a mainteanence hassle as well.

Update. Looking at it again and reading thru your description. For me it would all come down to condition of the motor. Looks like a very nice car. But what's up with the different shades of blue on the door panels? Were you polishing it when the pic's were taken? 3K may be a bit high but as I said. If the motors really good I think you're in the ballpark. For me lack of a turbo would actually be a plus unless I did a lot of mostly high speed freeway driving.

- Peter.

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2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

I've come down to $2600 at this point.

Two days ago I had an errand to run that included some freeway time so I decided to see if it was a dog at higher speeds. I took it up to 80 mph on the freeway and it seemed pretty clear that it might go a little faster but not much. It seemed happy at 75. (It wasn't unhappy at 80, it just seemed like it's not nice to push it). (speedometer checked with GPS and is very accurate)

My latest theory on the paint is that the top half of the car was repainted at some point and for whatever reason the lower half of front left fender and both right doors and right rear fender were not repainted. I don't know why unless there was a clear coat issue or the car was vandalized or ??? Or it's possible that the lower halves were repainted poorly. So I don't have a good explanation other than it looks to have been partially repainted and I don't know why.

SOLD