a perfect W123 on ebay
 

Hi everybody,
I just saw on e-bay a fantastic W123 for sale. It's an '85 (last year made) European version of a 230E. It has the nice (my opinion) European headlights, and the smaller European bumpers. It's dark blue with only 58000 miles on it. It look immaculate. Unfortunately I won't be able to make a bid on it. I am just in the process to replace my daily driver......
If you are interested in a W123, take a look. At least in my opinion, this car looks terrific and it is very rare, because the 230E wasn't originally intended to be sold on the US market.
her is the link:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2461304655&category=6329

Just thought to let you know.

Marvelous, but I recommend
 

that anyone interested in bidding verify that it has documentation legitimatizing it for titling in the USA and in the bidders home state.

yeh...
 

Since I'm in Ohio I am considering bidding, but...why no engine photos?? Also. look at the inner tread on the LF tire, is that weird or is it my imagination? Otherwise, looks like a sweet ride. Like I need another car, hah!

No, sir: 230 WAS a US model
 

Our first family Benz was my Dad's maroon '77 230, which he purchased one-year old from Globe Motors in Fairfield, NJ. Gorgeous car. He kept it 9 years. Was the first W123 model year, and it WAS a U.S. spec car. I don't recall how many years the car ran in US, but it was here at least in '77.

Oh....but you may be in part correct, since this was a carbuerated model.

That is definitely a grey-market car- headlights and rear bumper for starters, so be sure it has a good state title. I would also be careful about the mileage - if the speedo has been swapped for MPH, then they probably put an new one in so the 58K may just be the US mileage.

Pretty car, definitely Euro.

Received a e-mail from the owner/seller who states the car has an unrestricted Ohio title - Nice car.

Saw an almost identical gray-market 230E, for sale in Virginia Beach a couple of years back. Too bad they're automatics. I guess the 5 speed was getting rare in Europe by '85.
The W123 230 was sold in the US only through the late '70s. Those had the old-design carburetted OHC 4 as fitted to previous 200, 220 and 230 models.
'80s Euro 230E used a fuel-injected OHC crossflow 4 similar to what was sold here in the '83 and later 190E.

It can be a big hassle to try and register a gray-market car in areas that require a regular emissions inspection. In Virginia, they're supposed to check for a catalytic converter, even under the annual safety inspection.
Make sure that the seller has the EPA waiver papers that the original owner got when he or she privately imported this car, or proof that the car was converted to pass 1985 US emissions levels.

Happy Motoring, Mark