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.
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