Used 1982 Mercedes-Benz 230E

Seller Description

It’s with a very heavy heart that I have decided to pass my gorgeous 1982 Mercedes 230E on to it’s next lucky owner. I have a very personal attachment to this car, and have spent the previous few years restoring her mechanically into the very special new classic that she is now. Sadly, she doesn’t get driven as much as I’d like or she deserves, and we are starting a family so that time is only going to dwindle more.
I purchased this car for my wife and I’s wedding. I’ve always been a massive fan of the W123 chassis Mercedes, but I won’t go into too much detail here because you likely know what you’re looking at. This is one of the most over engineered cars in history, and is the iconic shape that half the world thinks of when they think Mercedes-Benz.
The car came to me after sitting for a number of years after its original owner had passed on. She needed the same thing most cars that had been sitting for a while needed; a bit of mechanic restoration, and a lot of love. Over the past 2-3 years, I’ve invested quite a large sum in restoring her to daily driver levels of reliability.
All in, she’s had over $10,000 in restoration work done, including but not limited to;
Rebuilt steering boxNew water pumpNew magnetic clutch and boltsNew fuel injectorsNew fuel pumpNew fuel filterNew thermostatNew front and rear brake padsNew brake linesReconditioned front callipersBrand new air-conditioning system ($1,800)Reconditioned alternatorNew transmission boots and shifter bushesNew inhibitor switchNew front shocks (2)New engine mounts (2)New upper control arms (2)New gearbox mountNew rear window seal (preventative)New batteryNew fuel actuatorNew key and barrelNew engine crank shaft sealNew rocker cover gasket and repainted coverRepainted air filter housingAll belts replacedNew low pressure power steering hoses.Transmission service and added transmission pan magnetsRear differential service and added rear diff plug magnetReconditioned front head light housingsNew antenna and rebuilt antenna motor
Just done;Coolant flushed and replacedNew oil and filterNew spark plugsNew air filterFour new Yokohama tyres (97% tread)
The majority of the work has been taken care of by John and the guys down at MB Classic Star. I highly recommend the new owner continuing a relationship with them.
So all that said, this is still a near 40 year old, original car, and does have some minor quirks.;
Central locking isn’t working. They are a vacuum system so it’s likely a leak somewhere.The cold start valve could use doing in the future, she she does need a supervised warm up for about a minute on colder mornings.Radio worked, then didn’t work, then worked, and now doesn’t work. I think it is a loose connection around the fuse.The instrument cluster has some quirks, mostly just in need of a little lube. Fuel gauge is perfect down to half, then will bounce about a bit. The speedo needle bounces below 10km/h. The odometer started intermittently failing about 8 months ago. The cogs are fine (it will randomly start ticking over), so not sure what thats all about. I’d say the actual km’s are no more than 300-500 more than the odometer shows.
Remarkably little rust for an unrestored 40 year old car. Some small surface patches in the engine bay that could stand a paint on treatment at some point in the future.
Comes with workshop manual, car cover, and a few spares. Always garaged in my care and additionally kept under a cover.
I’ve included as much information here to ensure you get a good picture of this car from top to bottom. Any inspection is welcomed, but please don’t waste my time. I have a lot invested not only financially but also emotionally, so please don’t jerk me around. These W123 cars top many lists of future classics that are affordable today, so it’s a real gem for someone.
The car is on historic rego, so non-transferrable.