Back on the East Coast, I rarely saw other W123 300D's and when I did, it was once say every two weeks and either it was in terrible condition or for sale. I really did get discouraged and feel that the car was on its last legs.

Here in Seattle, i have seen many a W123 300D in much better shape than my restored 300D. Its simply incredible.

I might see , seriously, 10 of them a day here! Its made me renew the love with my car. This place is vintage Mercedes heaven. There are also quite a few gasser models from the 60's and 70's on the highways here.

I am sure more than one Satellite ( I mean Seattlelite) feels the same.

God damn hippies!

Same deal here in Southern California. You are likely to see at least a dozen very clean W123 diesels everyday.

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Paul S.

2001 E430, Bourdeaux Red, Oyster interior.
79,200 miles.

1973 280SE 4.5, 170,000 miles. 568 Signal Red, Black MB Tex. "The Red Baron".

The diesel Mercedes-Benz is a very coveted car in Seattle indeed.

I like having a rarely seen driver.
seeing that many in one day would discourage me from driving mine.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I would have thought that the Pacific NW weather would have turned them all into rust buckets!

They say even the people up there don't tan...they rust! They also have the highest per capita sunglass sales in the country because by the time the sun does come out they have forgotten where they put their sunglasses and have to buy another pair! Well anyway..they gave us Grung...

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FRED

Daily Driver: 98 E300TD 199K
Hobby Car: 69 Austin Mini
Past Diesels: 84 300SD, 312K
87 300SDL, 251K
94 Chev. K-1500 6.5Ltr.TD, 373K

There are also many rustfree pristine ones in Berkeley, CA. The drivers here pampered their cars. I once filled up diesel in a gas station, and spoke to the second owner of a pristine 85 300SD with just over 100K miles. He bought it from an elder lady for $1800. Elderly ladies selling pristine cars do exist here - just need to be at the right place at the right time!

Well it doesn't snow much in Seattle and when it does everyone's too "green" to use salt, so cars up here really don't rust much. However, they do get MOLDY!!!

There are lots of '80s vintage 300Ds and SDs here in Houston...it helps keep the prices reasonable and parts available so I think that's a good thing.

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Charlie

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'66 VW 1300 96K miles
'97 E300D 239K miles
'85 300D 203K miles (sold Sep 2012)

I have heard the most concentrated population of older mercedes diesels is indeed in the north west quadrant of the states. Prices are also strong I hear as well.

LOTS of 123s, 126s and124s around sonoma county but every time I talk to anyone with one of these none of them do their own work.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

I live south of you near Portland and the same can be said about here. It may be wet here but we don't use salt on the roads like they do back east and that makes a big difference. We still have big problems with rust if you live next to the ocean but inland isn't too bad. I am more likely to see some form of moss or liechen growing on the car after a long winter then problem rust. Sun damage isn't too bad either.

TimK

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EPA 609 & 608 HVAC Certified
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83' 300D Turbo - 300K + Miles
00' 1.9L TDI Beetle
85' 6.5L Turbo, GV-OD, GMC Suburban,
67' 2.5L Diesel NA - Land Rover Series IIA

Here's what you do if it's so cold your diesel fuel gels. Smear some on some toast and stay inside until it warms up outside.

It's not a diesel till I shut the ignition off but I can be seen puttering around South King County in my 1976 450SEL.

Michael

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Usta haves '69 250/8, '76 280C, 1971 250C 114.023, 1976 450SEL 116.033
Current have, 1983 300SD 126.120

I love the benzo connection. There are a lot of them up here in seattle but they seem to hold up well...now with the high demand for alternative fueled vehicles the value of diesel cars has gone up considerably (which is kind of unfortuneate for people those who need parts). The huge biodiesel/SVO community in the northwest (esp seattle w/ Dr. Dan) has driven the demand for old benz's.

I always give the 'ol wave to fellow 123's...

There are also a lot of good parts places around Seattle including Benzfriendz and Abe at MBMW Parts, I'm sure that also has something to do with why sooo many diesel Benzes are still on the road up here.