With much regret, I am looking to sell my beautiful 1981 300D. I am going overseas again and it is too nice to just put up in the barn and not be used. The car has 193,000 miles, is white, with tan MB-Tex, automatic, sunroof, power windows, cruise and with the associated normal stuff. It is really a beautiful car - no tears in the upholstery anywhere, original carpets, a pretty interior. It was in great shape when I got it, and I've done quite a bit of work to it, such as new paint, new pads and rotors, a new blower motor, a new (rebuilt) steering box, new water pump, new (rebuilt) starter, new battery, all the fluids changed out, transmission service, replacement of idler bushing kit, front crank seal, valve adjustment, replaced timing chain, rear sway bar linkages replaced, new (rebuilt) a/c compressor, a AM.FM/CD player, and the alloy wheels were stripped and redone.

The car has some books and records up until about 130,000 miles in Sept 1993. I purchased the car in November 2001 with about 186,000 miles on it. The car was sold new in Missouri in Mar/Apr 0f 1981, came to Oklahoma in October of 1981 and has been here ever since. I believe I am the second owner, based on the naming conventions of Oklahoma titles.

The car is a rust free car, with one minor exception of a small piece of surface rust about the size of a fingernail I found yesterday while cleaning the rubber seal around the trunk. With a little sanding and touchup paint, I will fix it. The trunk is all original - including the carpeting - with no rust on the pans. While cleaning out the trunk, I found that the spare is original and I also found an original set of Mercedes Benz tools that looked straight from the factory.

As far as problems, everything works with the exception of the power antenna. There is also a slight problem with the odometer which has recently begun to stick at times and I have to reset it so the mileage will keep recording. This is an easy fix and the problem has been documented here on the site. The weatherstripping is ok, but probably should be replaced. I've replaced one (not very well) and have the other three in a box to give to the next owner.

Car runs great. No smoking, no oil burning other than normal. I've driven it back and forth to Austin several times with no problems. I had it down to the first get together in Austin and a couple of members saw it there.

Anyway, it is a great car and I hate to sell it. I want to find a good home for it, though and I know it would be in good hands if it went to one of the members here. I am not going to give it away, though. I know a lot of guys talk on this site about finding great cars for $2000-2500 and if you can do so, great. But it isn't this one. I'm asking $4500 firm and based on the time and money I've put in the car, I think that is very reasonable. If you are interested in the car, please let me know and I'll be glad to discuss it with you and I have pictures as well.

Thanks, Jim

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1981 300D - 192,400 miles
2003 Toyota Corolla