1984 Mercedes Benz 300-Series 300TD wagon

Description

This is auction is for a Mercedes Benz 300TD that was recently removed from storage without issue. It was stored impeccably (details below). I am the current owner and live in Vienna, Austria. I have loved this vehicle but can no longer justify keeping it stored nor the cost and administrative nightmare of importing it into the EU. The vehicle has been removed from storage by my very trusted mechanic, a man who has worked on these old Mercedes for decades and with whom I have enjoyed an excellent working relationship. The vehicle is located at his small, private garage.

The vehicle had a new battery installed when brought out of storage and started and drove well immediately. It will need some driving to get it back into good form.

The vehicle title, second set of keys and service records will sent by expedited service from Vienna, Austria to the buyer and a bill of sale provided by email upon payment clearance. Deposit and final payment by PayPal or by bank transfer by prior arrangement.

The photos here were mostly all taken just prior to the vehicle going into storage and they are mostly of the exterior. I’ll try to be as thorough as possible here with my description of the photos and of all known mechanical issues with the vehicle. Most of what I include here is a listing of minor to moderate cosmetic issues but the vehicle is all original. I know this vehicle very, very well. Please read this description thoroughly and ask any questions prior to bidding or buying.

I purchased the vehicle from a dealer in Chicago who has acquired it from the original owner. The vehicle spent most of its life in New York and still had NY plates when I purchase it. It was mechanically excellent from the time I purchase it and drove it immediately without issue from Chicago to Seattle. It had been sitting for a while and of course it drove better and better with each passing month (I am confident this will be the case for any current buyer as well). I replaced the brakes and tires almost immediately and it was then that I discovered that I had been somewhat deceived in that the original rear suspension had been replaced with traditional shock absorbers and that the hydro pneumatic system had been disconnected. (It was only after becoming the owner of an old Mercedes wagon that I cam etc understand how the rear spring coils are underrated for the vehicle and thus require the hydro pneumatic suspension.) This remains a job to be done and I cannot say with any confidence that the hydraulic pump system for the rear suspension system is in working order. This is the sole issue with regard to mechanical restoration and as a complete job runs about $1200-$1500.

The vehicle has 154,505 original miles and there is a photo showing this, taken the day the vehicle was put into storage. It has not even quite reached the threshold for the first Mercedes high mileage medallion (which, coincidentally, is offered only in the U.S.).

The vehicle was stored on blocks to avoid uneven wear to the tires. Four snow tires are also included.

The vehicle is rust free but because of its home being on the East Coast there is some salt corrosion present.

The transmission was resealed but there is still some loss of transmission fluid due to a pesky bolt.

Engine mounts were replaced at 141,000 miles at the same time the transmission work was completed. Fuel filters were replaced soon after and it was like having a new car.

The vehicle leaks a very, very, very small amount of oil only when running. I never added oil between routine oil service and it never ran low on oil.

The rear bumper has been replaced.

I acquired a cargo area double roller cover in the same interior color (the "doppel roller" in German) from Aurora Auto Wrecking in Seattle (also where I acquired the rear bumper) not long before I put the vehicle into storage. These are nearly impossible to find and certainly not as a complete kit. All the pieces are in the vehicle currently but not installed. One of the rear hooks for the roller would require repair and the general install is a job that requires going through the headliner to affix some of the pieces - ideal if a restoration is planned.

There is some damage to the spare wheel cover (2x4inch section of covering carpet is missing). There is some slight unevenness of color in the carpeting in the rear area. Not as pronounced as some examples I've seen but not pristine. These vehicles let an amazing amount of sunlight into the rear cargo area, thus discoloration occurs.

The photo with the Airedale puppy shows that the headliner cover piece at the rear of the vehicle is wonky. I actually have the replacement for that piece here in Vienna, having taken it off a 1984 MB 230TE I had for a short time. The replacement piece is not included with this auction but can be made available in a separate listing.

On the rear seat there are two very small snags in the upholstery.

Dash is free of cracks.

The luggage rack/top rail cross bars are in the vehicle. One of the top rails has been slightly bent or stressed and I purchased it in this condition. Hopefully you will see this in the photos.

The original tool kit is in the vehicle but there is no original first aid kit.

All carpet underlays are original and in very fine condition.

Hood pad is new.

Driver’s seat is knackered but they all are. After being in Europe I realized that I could buy a passenger seat out of a UK vehicle to replace the driver’s seat but have not done so. Freight to the U.S. would be crazy expensive and I suppose there are a handful of guys doing specialized rebuilding of MB driver’s seats in California.

There is warping on the interior door trim but this is extremely common and just design legacy. (Oddly, the 230TE I had here in Europe didn’t have the trim at all but these MBs weren’t part of the luxury market as they were in the US.) All doors were left slightly ajar in storage to preserve the seals and all windows were also left just slightly down for this same reason. There were, however, always a few drops of water that found their way inside when the vehicle was washed.

Windows and doors are fully automatic and were in working order when put into storage.

Windscreen is original and is hazy when driving into the sun because of 30 years of use. I did have a chip repaired but hesitated to replace it because the original Daimler-Benz sticker on the interior of the windscreen is intact. This of course can be removed with steam and affixed to a replacement windscreen.

The radio antenna does not operate up and down.

Original stereo has been replaced with a modern CD player. I never had the original.

The original owner had a car phone installed at some point and there is an antenna on the roof and some interior components. Also there is a reading light installed in the rear passenger area. It looks after market but I can’t be sure this wasn’t original.

Vacuum lock system was serviced after I purchased the vehicle and fully operational when put into storage.

In the photos showing the vehicle the day it was put into storage you will see splattering on the windows and trim. The vehicle exterior was given a complete exterior detail and thorough waxing and the splattering is residue from this job. Note that the vehicle has been given a post-storage professional exterior wash and interior cleaning but not an extensive detail.

There is oxidation on the roof panel only between the top rails, which is not shown in any of the photos because I kept it conditioned and polished. There is a hairline scratch on the hood that is slightly visible in one of the photos.

A/C was recharged and working beautifully when the vehicle was last driven.

Regarding storage, the vehicle was on blocks with a vapor barrier beneath. Steel wool in the exhaust. Battery disconnected. Doors and windows as mentioned above, as well as exterior paint treatment. The vehicle was given an oil service just prior to storage and was put in with a full tank of diesel with a conditioner additive. New owner will be driving on this tank of diesel and it is recommended that it be mixed with fresh diesel when the tank reaches 1/2 capacity or above.

Buyer agrees to pick up or arrange for the vehicle to be retrieved by shipping service within 14 days of purchase.

This is a remarkably strong and smooth running Mercedes and I drove it without worry across the entire Western U.S. more than once with my amazing Old English Sheepdog. It was just a month ago that I said goodbye to that dog after 12 incredible years and that event leads me to finally give up the vehicle and my weirdly intense connection to it.