Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series Estate Wagon

Offered for sale our 1985 Mercedes 300D Turbo Diesel Estate Wagon.    It is faithful. reliable and comfortable.    I would prefer to keep this car. but we have more tuition bills than we have vehicles.  

History

I purchased this car last year.   The gentleman I bought it from said it passed from his Grampa to his father to him. I was told it had been in the same family since new. residing only in South Carolina. Georgia and Florida.   I believe his claim that she has never been hit.   She had been well loved for most of it's life. but had sat unused for years when I discovered her.   I purchased this wagon because 2 of our sons. who were away at college. were having car troubles and I wanted to have a backup vehicle in case they needed one. I bought the car. drove it 3 hours home and started working on her.   I've driven it a lot in past year to discover and diligently repaired any issue I could find.   I was preparing it for my kids to drive with long trips to school. so I spared no expense on the mechanical and reliability issues.   My kids have their car situations under control so here she is for sale.

The Cons

This car is over 25 years old.   It is not a new car.   Do not expected it to be in new condition.  

The paint is shiny from 10 feet. but it has a some dents. scratches. wear spots and minor surface corrosion (no intrusive or cancerous rust).    I have done my best to fix everything mechanical that needs attention.   The struts that hold the tailgate up are weak and the rear window washer is moody (wiper works fine).  

I have done little cosmetically to the car other than clean. buff and wax it.   The dash has 3 tiny cracks and the drivers seat has a wear spot on the lumbar. see pictures.

The Pros

Everything works: turbo. cruise control. vacuum locks. power antenna. nbsp; electric windows. Super Cold Air Conditioning and rear defrost.   New tires.   In he last year I have repaired everything.    The seats have no tears or rips.   It is completely stock except for the Sony stereo (CD/MP3/Ipod input) and upgraded speakers.    It chugs down the road as steady as a sewing machine.   It handles marvelously.   It is smooth and stable to 85 mph (only a closed course with a professional driver. of course).   It feels open and breezy with the large sunroof and 4 big windows open.   It is great on the diesel. always getting 26-28 mpg.   It is a timeless beauty that will last many. many more years.   This is arguably the longest lasting engine and vehicle ever built. many of these vehicles go well beyond 500. 00 miles.   The car is incredibly reliable.   I would not hesitate to drive it anywhere in the continent.  

The interior is a beautiful and uncommon Maroon/burgundy color.   I really favor it over "peanut butter" color you usually see.  

It still has the crossbars on the luggage rack. a truly difficult find.

It does not have the 3rd row seats. this provides more and hidden storage space. (My other wagon has the 3rd row option and while grandkids may love it. it is not comfortable for anyone over 4'6").

It is an easy conversion candidate for veggie oil. but has never been run on anything other than proper diesel.

 

Here is a partial list of the work completed in the last year:

New tires.

New Battery.

New Glow plugs.

Complete overhaul of the SLS (Self Leveling rear suspension) system.   SLS is awesome. long lasting and reliable when functioning well.   A broken SLS can be the nemesis of these wagons.   This one has both new reservoirs and has been flushed. rebuilt and is correctly adjusted. showing no wobble or bounce.

New shocks. bushings. ball joints. New wheel bearings. 2 new CV axles. transmission mount and alignment.

Brakes. two new calipers. new pads all around.   System bleed and adjustment.

Vacuum system tested and repaired.   All of the locks function properly.   A keyless entry system with 2 remote Fobs is included.   Vacuum Shutdown works as designed.

Electric windows R&R'd.   2 motors and the switches rebuilt.

Cruise control module rebuilt by Kris Rose.

Rebuilt Electric antenna and installed Sony CDA/MP3 stereo deck with USB(ipod input) and new speakers

Turbocharger rebuilt with MercedesSource high performance overhaul kit.

New Oil Cooler.

Unclogged and leak repaired tank ventilation system.

Air Conditioning /Climate control:  No expense spared here. everything is new.   New Evaporator (the Mercedes dealer manual advises 28 hours to replace the evaporator core). New Condenser. New Compressor. New expansion valve. new accumulator/dryer. new pressure switch. new Blower fan. new Blower motor. new cooling fan. new temperature sensor. wax tube replaced. nbsp; Climate Control panel rebuilt by programma. rebuilt AC blower regulator module and AC compressor relay.   Rebuilt heater core.   The airbox was completely rebuilt with all new pods. solenoids and vents repaired or replaced and all is functioning perfectly.     There are so many of these vehicles that have air conditioners that "works. but does not blow cold".   Don't be fooled. many people part with these marvelous cars just to avoid the cost of correctly replacing a leaky evaporator.   This AC could not perform any better. and will make me regret not keeping this car.

Pictures and Video

Additional video are at https://www. youtube. com/user/mikejana1 

Other Thoughts

This car is for sale locally as well and can be viewed. driven or inspected in Florida's SpaceCoast. we are 10 minutes from the Melbourne Airport (MLB).

If you have questions feel free to ask. I will gladly answer during reasonable hours (eastern time) .   If you do not reach me. leave a message. I'll get back with you as soon as practical.  

If you have any concerns. please clear them up before bidding. let me know if I can help.  

I would encourage you to research these wonderful works of German engineering. and the work completed on this one.   peachparts. com and benzworld. org are great resources.  

It is preferred that the car be picked up in Central Florida. (Melbourne. Cape Canaveral or Orlando)

I will assist the winning bidder in shipping the car.   The cost and arrangements are the buyers responsibility.   I will help as best I can.

I MAY be able to deliver it for minor expenses.   My delivery must be arranged before the close of bidding.  

A deposit is expected within 24 hours of bid closing.   

Full payment is due upon pickup or before delivery.

 

Disclaimer

I have tried to describe the car to the best of my ability with no omissions.   If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me.   I will respond as promptly as possible.   

I am re listing the vehicle after cancelling the auction last month.   Someone came to drive the vehicle and dented the tailgate.   Although the bidding had reached $6000 with several days left. I did not want to misrepresent it.  

The vehicle is for sale as is. and I offer no warranty.

If you have hesitations. misgivings or payment problems. please clear them up before bidding.   I promise not to waste your time. please return the consideration.

 

Thanks. Mike

phone is 345-6458 in area code 321.   No text please.

our email is mikejana at yahoo

 

Data From Mercedes Benz:
Ident. number (FIN) WDB1231931F051493
VIN WDBAB93C9FF051493
Baumuster 123193 US FEDERAL
Sales name 300 TD TURBO
Cabin 02374
Order number 0 5 705 05144
Delivery date
PAINT1 737 CLASSIC WHITE
Interior color 157 DARK MAROON
Engine 617952 12 107246
Gearbox 722315 02 644613
Lights units BOSCH
Class 1
General data for model code 123193

123193 E-class S123 300TD TurboDiesel
617. 952 L5-3. 0l Dsl Turbo
722. 416 Gearkasse aut 4sp

SA codes
Code Value
157A DARK MAROON
286 Luggage Nets Front seat back
411 Steel Sliding Roof
440 TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
451 Tachometer
467 ELECTRONIC LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL
491 U. S. VERSION
519 REAR AUDIO SYSTEM
531 AUTOMATIC ANTENNA
546  LOCKABLE GLOVE COMPARTMENT AND SUN VISORS WITH VANITY MIRRORS ON THE LEFT AND RIGHT. ILLUMINATED
57 DARK MAROON
575 CENTER CONSOLE
588 AUTOMATIC CLIMATE CONTROL AND ELECTRIC WINDOW LIFTERS (FRONT AND REAR DOORS)
593 ALL-ROUND WD-GREEN GLASS. EATED REAR WINDOW-ESG. F
639  ELIMINATION OF FIRST-AID BOX AND WARNING TRIANGLE
640 15-HOLE LIGHT ALLOY RIMS
673 HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
722 BAGGAGE RACK. INTEGRATED
732 BIRDSEYE MAPLE WOOD TRIM. BLACK
737 CLASSIC WHITE PAINT
805 AEJ 06/1/M/X
843  REAR SEAT BENCH DIVIDED 2/3 : 1/3
 

On Nov-24-14 at 08:33:08 PST. seller added the following information:

Several people come look at and drive the Wagon this weekend.   During one of the Test drives the tailgate was dented.
The high bidders have been contacted and will add a picture of the dent.   I will be ending the auction early and will re list the vehicle.
Please contact me if you want to discuss this issue. 321-794-6453.  

On Jan-08-15 at 12:25:17 PST. seller added the following information:

I have had several people ask- The car is in great shape and could be driven immediately any where in the country.

The auction will continue until the vehicle is sold. I do not intend to end it early.  

The comments from Nov 24th are from the previous ad. You are looking at the re-listed auction.

Also published at eBay.ca

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