1985 Mercedes-Denz 300D 3.0l turbo diesel sedan

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series Additional Info:

Listed here is a W123 series Mercedes 300D turbo diesel with 288k miles. It is highly original, in Midnight Blue with a medium blue interior and the somewhat rare blue dash. I've owned the car for 9 years and spent a fortune on its mechanical needs- suspension, steering, brakes, climate control, etc. I had it maintained to a high standard because this car was built for the autobahn, and that's how I drive it. The interior is shockingly nice, as if it got all those miles without anyone sitting in the seats. The AC was converted to R134a using the klimakit.com parallel flow condenser and an original-type Delco compressor, and it works nicely. There is only one rust spot I have found- it looks like the paint was nicked during a rear window replacement.
What's good:Absolutely everything works unless it's listed in the "what's not" belowOriginal paint is thick and glossy, if heavily chippedBuilt to last forever, still has that unique sound at idle and when the doors slamNO RUST ANYWHERE except the spot shown in photo.1985 is the only year the W123 300D came with taller gearing like the S-class; this gives more relaxed high speed cruising and a blinding top speed of 105 (which is 4500 RPM in 4th gear)1985 is the only year that drives the tachometer from the EGR computer (meaning the tach actually *works*)14 inch "Bundt" style alloy wheels with newer finish (Fuchs forged aluminum alloy)Mysterious and silent vacuum-operated power locksI would not hesitate to drive it cross-country tomorrow (but I would change the tires first)Keeps up with modern traffic (this has the turbo, remember)I got 27 mpg on a road trip in convoy with other classics... maybe 25 when driving it German-styleTransmission rebuilt in 2015Minimal (but not zero) dripsEmissions-exempt in California due to model year and being diesel. No inspections required at all. The car does have PCV and EGR, and they are working. There is nothing between the cylinders and the exhaust pipe except for turbo and the muffler.This is a 49-state Federal-emissions car, so although it is a 1985 it does not have the one year only California-special trap oxidizer and remote-mount air cleaner.Several boxes of spare parts included. I love W123s but don't have time for the hobby anymore. There is still amazing parts availability for these cars.
What's not:Dings on left front fender, trunk lidSmall surface rust spot under back window (has not grown in 9 years)Doesn't work: cruise control, power antennaTires look new but based on date code are 10 years oldClimate control regulates temperature when it feels like it (could use another rebuild of the control panel)The low fuel warning light doesn't work- would need a new fuel gauge sender to make it work againAluminum exterior trim around the side windows needs to be polishedSluggish when the engine is cold (a rebuilt injector pump would fix that)Some may dislike the aftermarket radio, but that was a popular thing to do in the 80s. This one has USB and Bluetooth, and the speakers have been modernized.Transmission shifting is only about 98% correct since the rebuild. Most people won't notice, but purists will know it's supposed to be willing to rev higher in 1st and 2nd than this one will. Floored, all the upshifts are supposed to be at 4500, but since the rebuild it only will hold on to about 3600. It will hold 3rd to 4500. Top speed is achieved in 4th.

Photos taken 10/22/2023 with the engine running and the AC on. You will hear the electric auxiliary fan running in the videos. It is mostly there only to support AC load on 5 cylinder W123's with the 2-ton AC compressor. It is original-type and correct, though it was replaced in 2017 when the original fan finally died.
Provenance: Car was sold new at Mercedes-Benz of Buckhead in Atlanta and lived its working life in Georgia and Alabama. I bought it from a dealer in Atlanta in 2014, solely as a hobby, and moved it to California with me in 2017.
More photos, and videos with sound:https://share.icloud.com/photos/08fFUyJJ94rm2NysFdf0rjFfA