Vehicle Description
1993 Mercedes-Benz 300D 2.5 Turbo Sedan
"300" has been used for dozens of Mercedes Benz models since 1951
when it first appeared on the W186 4 door luxury sedan. The number
also graced one of the most valuable and famous cars in the
automobile world, the W198 300 SL known simply as the Gullwing. The
nomenclature's storied history continues to this day with the 2024
C-class, still a 4 door luxury sedan.
For consignment, a 1993 Mercedes-Benz 300D 2.5 turbo sedan that is
a 2 owner car and has been serviced by Mercedes Benz since new
according to our consignor. It's a high mileage car that proves
with the right mechanical care and maintenance, quality cars can
have long lives. And the fact that it's a diesel doesn't hurt!
Reading through the Edmunds.com reviews of the car yields nothing
but positive testimonials with 60% giving 5 star reviews and 37% 4
stars. Another quality automobile from Mercedes Benz.
Exterior
She's a bit rough around the edges and the Light Ivory paint
doesn't shine as perhaps it once did, but the body is straight and
devoid of any large dents. The headlight bezels have discolored
over the years and there are plenty of rock chips up front. The
condition of the nickel colored aluminum trim around the windows
and along the rail line stands out as holding up over the years.
The chrome grille as well as some plastic pieces look great while
other metal, plastic and rubber pieces show some age. She's got
scratches and missing chips of paint and the body panel below the
trunk has invasive rust. 15-inch wheels have some discoloration or
paint bubbling around the rim, some stubborn brake dust, and some
curb rash but are in overall good condition. This once handsome car
retains its overall charm and we're suckers for cool scoops and
vents and this one has an asymmetric vent on the right front
fender.
Interior
Soiled and worn, the door panels still look handsome to us! A deep
detailing could bring this back to its former glory with the wood
applique and leather panel. All the components and hardware are
intact and after more than 200,000 miles, you won't be able to say
that about very many cars from this era. Anyway, the leather bucket
seats, notably the driver's, are peeling, torn, discolored, and
weathered. The rear seat fares much better, as usual, and looks
good, but dirty. Some aluminum trim is peeling from the sill plate.
From the steering wheel forward, it's about simplicity and quality,
and although dusty and dirty, the plastics and wood are in good
condition. On the center stack there is some cracking in the
urethane that coats the wood while the center console around the
shifter is peeling badly as the recipient of direct sun through the
windshield. There's obvious usage on the carpet and discoloration
of the footwell walls and the headliner is loose.
Drivetrain
Opening the hood, we find a driver quality engine depicting its
high mileage and the hood liner is shredded. What's under there is
a 2.5 liter inline 5 cylinder engine rated at 121 horsepower. It is
fuel injected and tied to a 4-speed automatic transmission which
drives the rear wheels via 2.87 gears. Nothing short of power disc
brakes would do for Mercedes and that's what we have at all four
wheels.
Undercarriage
Belly pans and panels obscure much of the underside but what we can
see is fully expected. Plenty of advanced surface rust and a lot of
pitted rust as well. There's evidence of some oil up by the engine
but putting it in perspective, we would say that the underside has
held up as well as one would expect for an East coast car.
Independent suspension is front and rear with MacPherson struts up
front and coil springs in the rear.
Drive-Ability
The diesel starts and runs and stops and we're not shocked. You've
heard of owners going 400k or more on a diesel and this one may
well be on its way! That said, other aspects do age with less
grace, and we note some things that are not working including the
tachometer and the air conditioning. The radio is locked and asking
for the code. The power sunroof tilts up but does not slide back.
That's not a bad list for a well used car!
Mercedes has a tradition of quality and it certainly didn't end in
1993. This stout car has life left in her and could also serve as
the canvas for some cosmetic restoration. If you've dreamed of
taking the million mile challenge, this might be a good candidate
for that as well. It just needs some TLC.
Classic Auto Mall is home to more than 1,000 classic and
collectible vehicles for sale via consignment in a climate
controlled 336,000-square foot showroom (that's more than 8
acres!). The largest single location consignment dealer of classic
and collectible vehicles in the country is located in Morgantown,
Pennsylvania, just 1-hour west of Philadelphia off Exit 298 of the
I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. For more information visit
www.classicautomall.com or call us at (888) 227-0914. Contact us
anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in
person.
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