My new Modern-Day Barn Find
 

1985 300TD wagon with only 57,000 miles. Excellent condition - almost new inside and out.

Owned from 1985 to 2004 by the wife of famous surgeon Dr. Stanley Crawford. Then sold to the surgeon's friend's daughter as a daily driver. Then into my hands this afternoon. Being in the right place at the right time had everything to do with it.

Original everything, original windshield, original floor mats, original First Aid Kit, you name it. Everything but the Becker Grand Prix (got to find one of those).

Drives like a new car - unbelievable. I'll post some pics this week. Can't wait to drive it around this week before my vacation (going to a wedding just down the street from the Merc Classic Center in Irvine). Hell of a week for me.

Hope you didn't have to overpay to nab it
 

That's REAL nice. LIke getting a brand new one almost. The last year of the W123 too. I wouldn't worry about getting another Becker radio, from that era, they are considered crap, not worth the bother.

Just drive it and enjoy it. Can understand why you are crowing, there is LOTS of interest in these, even more so when miles that low - and that is absurdly low for the year of the car. All the better that you know the history of the car.:)

You sound delighted with the new purchase, that is what really matters.

You could realistically expect to get another 400,000 miles about it if you take good care of it. Now that's really cool. I am really happy for you, you got a gem and you know it

Oh...my...god...talk...about...jelousy

you might need a head gasket around 275k or 300k.

nice score.

tom w

I hate you!!!!! ;)

Ask any professional mechanic and you will be told that a car owned by a medical doctor means it hasn't been serviced since the warranty expired. There are exceptions, but that is the general rule. Have the car serviced.

On a positive note, that is a fine car. Check wirh the dealer and make sure the trap oxidiser has been replaced with the final oxydation catalyst or PM me with the VIN and I'll check the records for you.

Out of the gate, the first owner had oil changes done every 2,500 miles or so - that equates to a yearly oil change. She had fluids done early as well. There's a gap in the records from 1991-1997 and from 1998-2002. Luckily she only drove the avg 2500 miles a year.

But on the plus side, the car did not sit for very long; it seems to have been driven throughout the year, just not very far.

AC was redone in 2005, brakes in 2006, fluids, belts, and hoses in 2005. I'm guessing the valves probably need to be adjusted - don't think that's ever been done in 21 years.

I have no plans on daily driving it, but I will drive it ocassionally. It'd be a shame to rack up a lot of miles on this car, but it'd be a bigger shame to let it sit idle in the garage. It's really fun to drive.

I'll PM you the VIN. Thanks.

...sigh.

Always wanted a Benz wagon.

I'm happy for you. Really.

My point exactly. When you subtract 85 from 91 that miraculously coincides with the need to do services or MB won't honor warrantee repairs. Suddenly after 5 years there is a gap in the records.:D

Don't frett though. I'm sure it is a nice car. I was just making my point about MDs and cars or anything that costs money and can't be shown off to friends. Years ago an MD client asked me to go easy on the bill, because money was tight. He said things were rough financially at the time. He almost had my sympathy until I found why money was tight. He was putting one kid through law school and one through medical school. He had no concern about me needing what he owed me just so I could buy shoes for my kids.;)

The mechanic *IS* the MD for the car, speaking as a customer, a good one is to be cherished. And a Mercedes requires a LOT more than the typical corner dribble chin mechanic. Unfortunately, there are some less than good Mercedes mechanics out there too.

seems like there is a lot of jealousy on this particular thread rather than well wishing.

sounds like you got a great car. drive it and enjoy it.

How so? I'm not jealous. I know he"ll enjoy that car. I've got 360K on my 83 300TDT, and I love the car. It is so versitile. I have a set of luggage bars that clamp on the roof rack to varry lots of things. I also have an MB safari rack that clamps to the rails. It is like a huge basket that covers the roof. Another slick feature of the 123 wagon is the ability to remove the rear right headrest and cushion, move the right front seat all the way forward, rotate the backrest all the way down, and slide long objects all the way from the tailgate to under the passenger footwell.:D

I have a 01 E Wagon, and to tell the truth my 85 300TDT was constructed better. The 85 was a tank, the 01 has more glits than I really need. The roof rack was designed to carry something, not just for appearance.
I would do the injectors, see how their pattern sparays, check for oil leaks, and enjoy. I think the radio is a 612, and in a diesel you are not in a concert hall.

You got that right all three ways.;)