1981 Mercedes 280e W123 Sedan

Description for Mercedes-Benz 200-Series 1981

7-17 Update: Drove the car on a long road trip and mileage has been updated to 78,300. Had no issues the entire trip! Added pictures of the two main exterior flaws close up with harsh white LED lighting. One is a small surface rust bubble that has not gone through the metal or paint. Other is a scratch with a bit of touch up paint by the passenger rear taillamp. Also has 4 brand new Michelin tires put on yesterday for $528. Price has also been lowered by $600.

Up for sale is my 1981 Mercedes 280e. This car has been garage kept its entire life and it shows. It is a beautiful, clean example inside and out. It has documented low mileage, currently at 78,300. It starts, runs, drives, shifts, and stops better than any of the old Mercedes I have owned or driven. The engine does not smoke, leak or burn any fluids. Steering does not have excessive play like most W123’s. Car has had $4200 in maintenance and repairs done within the last few months to make it into a reliable driver. I have taken it on multiple 100-200 mile trips without issue. I clean the car after every drive, keep it garaged, and only use non-ethanol fuel. This is a 35 year old car, so it does have the usual dings, chips, scratches, etc that come with age. This vehicle is offered completely as-is with no warranties or guarantees of any kind expressed or implied. I have a clean NE title in my name. I am asking less than what I have invested in the car, but I am open to reasonable offers. Buyer responsible for shipping.

Operational Condition:

All features and options work great. AC is cold and heat is hot. All 4 power windows are good. The vacuum controlled HVAC vents as well as all 6 vacuum locks work without issue. The power antenna works when the radio is turned on and off or by using the switch on the dash. The cruise control electronics have been rebuilt and work like new. All dash lights, interior lights, glove box lamp, outside lights, etc work. The dash light dimmer switch doesn’t cut out. All gauges including odometer and trip counter work properly. Radio, cassette player, and speaker fade switch all test good. Even the original clock keeps the correct time!

Interior:

Interior is stunning. The seats are still supportive. The mesh seatback netting is not sagging. The dashboard is not cracked or split and looks like new. The wood trim is excellent. The weather seals are all still soft and pliable. Under the mats, the carpeting is nice and clean.

Exterior:

The car has minor dings, chips, scratches, touch-ups, and flaws that you would expect from a 35 year old car. If this were a show car, I would be asking twice the price. That being said, the exterior is very nice with excellent chrome, trim, and shiny paint. The factory pinstriping and all exterior rubber looks great. No glass is cracked and there are no stars in the windshield from rocks. All glass has the Mercedes logo.

Maintenance and repairs:

-Prior to sale, the previous owner replaced plugs, wires, cap, rotor, battery, did timing adjust, valve adjust, and installed a new valve cover gasket. The car also has a newer OEM radiator, muffler, front wheel bearings, and r134a AC conversion.

When I got the car I spent an additional $4200 fixing everything I could as well as doing a lot of preventative maintenance. I only used Mercedes brand or OEM parts. Some of the work includes:

-New driveshaft flex disks and carrier bearing.

-New fuel pump, check valve, fuel filter, accumulator, tank screen, hoses.

-New brake master cylinder and complete system flush.

-New idle air control valve (very hard to find)

-New thermo time switch.

-All new injectors, seals, cold start injector, fuel regulator o-rings, etc.

-New air filter, coolant, oil, oil filter.

-Professional servicing of radio, cruise control electronics, and HVAC controller.

-New AC temperature sensor

-Multiple repairs and inspection done by Mercedes specialty shop in town.

-4 new Michelin tires, best available for this car.

-The list goes on!