The Mercedes-Benz W123s produced from 1975-86 have long been considered some of the finest-built vehicles the automaker ever constructed. They were more mid-range market than top-tier; sort of like a BMW 5 Series, offering great quality and plenty of period 1970 and ’80s German luxury features. Over the years they have proved to be all but indestructible, and even today are not only one of the best-built classic Mercedes cars ever, they also are still usable as daily drivers. Of all the W123s, the diesel-powered cars are so good that many have clocked over a million miles on their odometers. Our AutoHunter Spotlight of the day is one of those cars, a 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300D sedan. It is being offered by a private seller in Pasadena, California, and the auction ends on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (MST).
According to the seller, this garage-kept 300D is powered by its correct OM617 3.0-liter inline five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine combined with a four-speed automatic transmission. The car is painted in factory-correct silver over a black MB-Tex interior. It is being offered with a car cover, shop manual, the original tool kit, and a clear title.
The exterior of this 300D looks to be in good shape. I don’t see any evidence of poor panel gaps, and the paint looks good overall—I would not be surprised if it was original. The brightwork also seems to be in excellent condition, with no corrosion on the bumpers or other chrome parts. The car still rides on its original Mercedes 14-inch bundt-pan alloy wheels clad with 195/70 Michelin Defender XT radial tires.
The interior also looks great – not a big surprise with a car that has MB-Tex for its seats. What is very nice is that the dash does not appear to have any cracks, and the wood is also in excellent shape. This really looks like a well-cared-for and truly garage-kept example. (If it wasn’t, the dash would definitely be cracked, and the wood bits would be crazed as well.)
Under the hood, the OM617 3.0-liter inline five-cylinder turbo-diesel engine looks to be in good shape and correct, albeit a little dirty. This engine compartment would look amazing after a detail. These inline five-cylinder diesel engines last literally forever, so the 119,954 miles clocked on this car means it has decades left in its lifespan. Service history includes a coolant flush, new thermostat, new upper and lower radiator hoses, power steering fluid flush, new power steering filter, new check valves, and a new air filter.
These W123 Mercedes cars literally will run forever, and this appears to be a 300D that has been carefully used and well cared for over the last four decades. In terms of its design or condition, it certainly does not look like a 43-year-old vehicle. Representing a high point for one of the world’s best auto manufacturers, this 300D would make a great daily driver or one to take to shows and even on long road trips. The auction for this 1982 Mercedes-Benz 300D ends on Tuesday, December 23, 2025, at 12:00 p.m. (MST)—just in time to treat yourself to one fantastic Christmas present!
Visit the AutoHunter listing for more information and a photo gallery
