Last year of the classic handbuilt W116 Body style

1980

Mercedes Benz
300SD Turbodiesel

Under 109. 00 Original Miles

VIN: 11612012021254

Here's another rare. great-running & driving Mercedes we've acquired recently for our Ebay customers.   This nice 300SD sold new here in Seattle at Phil Smart Mercedes Benz and has spent its entire life driving our salt-free Pacific Northwest roads.   From the moment I first laid eyes on this clean sedan. it was obvious that respect and care were given the car over the years.   There aren't many left out there in this condition and brings to mind the old saying in the collector world: “Any car can be restored given enough time & money. but it can only be factory original once!”  Reluctantly. it was turned over to us a short time ago by a member of the original owners family.   I've got to tell you. having driven it just about every day since. what a treat!  Where else will you find this kind of luxury. vintage style. safety. mechanical reliability AND terrific (25+MPG) fuel economy wrapped up in one gorgeous ride?  Please feel free to contact me with questions or to make an offer.   My name is Mark Thompson and my direct phone number is 206/914-1173.   You're welcome and encouraged to make an appointment to inspect this outstanding car.  

VEHICLE DESCRIPTION

Ever driven one of these boulevard cruisers with the powerful three-liter turbocharged diesel engine?  Smooth is the word for sure.   Smooth powerful acceleration.   Smooth handling in the curves or on the highway. too.   I've always considered W116 chassis sedans (both gas & diesel powered) constructed during the 1970's as some of the last hand-built. truly high-quality Mercedes and have heard many others say the same thing!  Take a look at the photos and I'm sure you'll agree with me what a find this is.   What you see is the result of a wash and vacuum only.   It's obviously been allowed to spend a majority of its life garaged because the overall exterior condition is absolutely excellant.   Rust?  Please. this Benz hates rust and you WON'T find a thing to worry about here.   Yes. the Puget Sound area is famous for rain. but our winter roads are never salted.   We only have one or two days of light snow each year.   Everyone panics and stays home.   Climb over. under and all around this Benz - I know you'll come up smiling!! 

Having personally owned dozens of Mercedes over the years. I've developed a great appreciation for their style. mechanical reliability and overall driving experience.   THIS CAR RUNS OUT JUST AS IT WAS MEANT TO. I'VE NEVER DRIVEN A VINTAGE W116 300SD THAT I'VE LIKED BETTER!!  I'm convinced you'll be proud to own and drive it as well.

CONDITION:

In total. this is a clean. well-cared-for. smoke-free sedan.   I take pride in the vehicles we post on Ebay and feel that you should know as much about this car as possible.   Accordingly. here's a list of the good and also small things needing attention: take four or five seconds to heat the glow plugs. even when starting cold. and the peppy 3. 0L inline five cylinder diesel engine fires right up EVERY time!   The automatic transmission shifts strongly and just as it should.  The car idles. runs and drives like a Mercedes is supposed to – immediate. strong. constant oil pressure. a good battery and charging system. no overheating. no brake pull to either side or alignment issues!   I've now put on more than 1. 00 miles over the past four months including freeway cruising at 60 MPH for several hours at a time.   The factory silver metallic paint appears original and is in great overall condition.   Good chrome and exterior trim all around. too!  The front fenders. doors. rear quarters and floor pans are all solid; in fact the entire undercarriage is in excellent condition for a thirty-four year-old car!  No other real body flaws to point out. only a small dent (as pictured) on the top chrome surface of the front bumper. mostly hidden behind the license plate bracket.  The factory wheels are straight and true. They're wrapped with 205/70R14 touring radials with at least 75-80% tread remaining.

Take another good look at the interior shots.   Hop in and feel comfortable sitting on these leather buckets for hours as the springs and original hides have held up better than most.   There's no major surface wear on either.   The rear bench's also in great condition as pictured (which seems to be quite a rarity on other W116 Benz sedans).   While the factory air conditioning – heater/defroster system blows warm & cool just fine on all settings. the old R-12 refrigerant appears gone. so I'd suggest having it changed over to modern R-134a for next summer's use.   I was assured by the previous owner that the odometer does reflect true miles (the lack of wear backs this up).   Both it. the tach and the speedometer work perfectly.   Can't say the same for the dash clock though.   Every few days I'll get in and the hands have moved. but it never seems to be running while I'm behind the wheel!  There's no evidence of any water leakage on the headliner and you can see from the photos how exceptionally nice the still-original carpets are.   All four electric windows open and close from the console switches. though the right rear can be a little finicky.   I'll be sure to include the original plastic sleeve containing the owner's manual. hang-tags and other info safely locked away in the glovebox when the car leaves my warehouse.

You've gotta wonder why the Mercedes has always had difficulty coming up with a quality. long-lasting factory stereo.   Even their modern cars seem to have radio issues so it's not surprising the former owner changed out the original Becker AM-FM with this Blaupunkt cassette model many years ago.   Problem is. it comes on but I get no sound.   My suggestion is replacement with either a factory reconditioned original or. better yet. a modern CD/Bluetooth unit.   The jack. spare and tire wrench are in the trunk as shown.

I'm always very happy to work with any shipper you choose. but you're also welcome to do what many of my previous buyers from as far away as Alaska. Arizona. the Midwest. Canada. Florida. New York and even the Mexican Baja have done – fly in here to Seattle (We'll pick you up at Sea-Tac International just a few miles away) and then start a road trip home the same day!  I wouldn't hesitate (and in fact. I encourage you) to drive cross-country in this car!  As a respected Ebay seller with many. many satisfied online buyers. I want you to bid with confidence knowing that this Benz runs and drives as it should AND that it is being properly represented to you!  Please don't be upset if I miss a flaw or some small issue comes up on the car as NO used vehicle is ever perfect and is sold 'as-is. where-is".   Having said that. I won't hesitate to drive long distance in this Mercedes today!

Please check the photos over closely and call me with any questions BEFORE you place a bid!  You're encouraged to stop by (or send an inspection service) to look over the car and take it for a test drive.   As always. it is being sold “as-is. where-is” with a clean. free & clear Washington State title.   Because of the amount of money involved with a vehicle purchase. I reserve the right to cancel your bid if you have any negative feedback.   I also ask that potential bidders with a feedback rating of five or fewer transactions on Ebay contact me before placing their bid.   Feel free to contact me directly thru Ebay's system or. as outlined above. call me at 206/914-1173 anytime.   My name is MARK THOMPSON.   I can add a "Buy-It-Now" button to the listing if you'd rather not wait until the auction's end or chance loosing the car to a last minute bidder.   Please contact me to discuss a price.  

A Few Additional Terms and Conditions: 

A nonrefundable $500 deposit is due within 48 hours of the auction's end.   We can accept PAYPAL. but only for the deposit amount because of the high fees they charge.   The balance is due by cash or certified funds within seven business days unless prior arrangements have been made with me.    Please remember you are bidding to buy and I fully expect the winning bidder to fulfill their Ebay contract!  You're not bidding to hold or then come inspect and test-drive the vehicle later -- You're more than welcome to do this before the auction ends.

If you do decide to have the Benz shipped home. there are numerous vehicle transport companies to choose from.   We deal with them regularly and I'd suggest that you get a transport bid from Dependable Auto Shippers (DAS).   They're Ebay's preferred transporter and will give you a fair quote.   Call them directly at (800)830-1787 and be sure to give my affiliate number (2362642) so the rep can pull up all our information for door-to-door or even station-to-station price quotes.  

As an alternative. you might also get bids from the U-Ship. com website.   You'll be able to choose a transport broker from multiple offers.   The zip code for pick-up would be 98002 (Auburn. Washington).   The shipping of the vehicle and company chosen are the responsibility of the BUYER.    You are welcome to keep the car for up to two weeks after the auction ends at my warehouse. assuming full payment has been received.   After this period. I charge storage at $20/day.

Want to buy this car?