1975 Mercedes-Benz 240D Sedan

- 2.4L I4 Diesel
- Pull Button Start
- Highly Original Example
- Protect-O-Plate

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1975 Mercedes-Benz 240D Sedan on a site other than GarageKeptMotors.com, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of this vehicle due to website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 165 photographs, including a short walk-around-and-startup video, please go to our main website: GarageKeptMotors.)

“Functional, rational, beautifully made and always expensive, the 115s are in many respects the essence of what a Mercedes is, or was….” – Classic & Sports Car magazine, February 2019

The international magazine "C!" told this Mercedes sedan's back-story: “Manufactured from November 1975 to January 1986, the Mercedes-Benz W115 was one of, if not, the most successful models sold by the German marque, with some 2.7 million units released. But what made this particular iteration so popular even up to this day?” The writer's answer? “It had a certain sense of style: Sure, it wasn't flashy or sleek by any stretch of the imagination. It was more squared off with a very few rounded edges. The interior was likewise more about function than form. Yet this is what made the W123 (the car's internal code) a hit. It has an appeal that has withstood the test of time.”

Offered here in Sahara yellow over two-tone burgundy is a 1975 Mercedes-Benz 240D, the W115 variant with a well-deserved reputation for longevity. The odometer here shows 103,000 miles—roughly just 2,250 miles per year, on average—making it a youngster by Mercedes standards. It's pretty well known that these odometers could go as high as 999,999. Stately, refined, and understated, this Mercedes has a long way yet to go.

The exterior Sahara yellow paint shows very well with some patina appropriate to its age. The stately Mercedes grille—known the world over—is completely intact. There are no dents or dings, much less signs of significant body damage anywhere. In the same way, the chrome bumpers and trim have been nicely preserved. Cabin glass and lighting lenses are clear and free of cracks. All emblems—notably including the upright three-pointed star on the hood, and the same emblem mounted flat on the trunk lid—are properly in place. The simple “240D” and “Diesel” badges reflect a time when the German manufacturer preferred understatement. Taillight lenses feature a Mercedes-exclusive design intended to force rainwater over the plastic to help keep it clean. Body-color, painted-center wheel covers are in place as mounted at the factory; all-season tires are mounted.

Inside the car, “understated practicality” is the theme, and twin burgundy tones add just the right amount of style. The MB-Tex vinyl upholstery material is true to the oft-quoted Mercedes salesman's promise that “It'll look lovely forever.” There are no rips or tears. The same upholstery materials extend to the four doors, all of which show virtually no evidence of wear. Armrests are in place fore and aft. Charcoal carpeting covers the cabin floor with dark brown carpet mats. The very businesslike black dashboard hosts driver-centric instruments and controls, notably including the pull-to-start lever. A single hot-sun-created crack is the sole flaw on the dashboard. HVAC controls are centered with the factory radio mounted on the upper console. The automatic-transmission selector is console-mounted as well. The car's headliner is in very good condition.

Under the hood, the original inline 2.4-liter Mercedes Diesel powerplant is in place in a tidy, but not excessively detailed engine compartment. All related engine components are properly mounted. (The sale includes a sheaf of invoices for recent maintenance.) The car's factory identification tag is in place, and the owner's protect-o-plate is also included together with the owner's literature and pouch. The underside of the car shows no rust issues. The exhaust system shows no evidence of damage from too-aggressive driving or other abuse. No body-panel rust is indicated.

The highly original, well-maintained condition of this Mercedes 240D is shown from every angle—including from underneath—in the more than 165 high-definition photographs available at the GarageKeptMotors site. Of course, we also welcome and encourage in-person visits to our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom to see the car up close. Since our showroom is not open to the public, we ask that you call or email us in advance to arrange an appointment so that we can devote our full attention to you. In the same spirit, feel free to contact us directly with any questions.

These Mercedes diesel sedans were definitely built to last. Some examples have exceeded one million miles with only minor problems and regular servicing. It's no wonder these long-lived automobiles from. Stuttgart are still being used as cars-for-hire in various parts of the world, while many continue to be cherished by Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts.