1981 Mercedes-Benz 240D

- 2.4L Diesel
- Automatic Transmission
- 38k Miles Shown
- Blue Over Tan Interior

(Please note: If you happen to be viewing this 1981 Mercedes-Benz 240D on a website other than our Garage Kept Motors site, it's possible that you've only seen some of our many photographs of the car due to third-party website limitations. To be sure you access all the more than 175 photographs, as well as a short start-up and walk-around video, and a link to its Carfax history, please go to our main website: GKM.com)

“Functional, rational, beautifully made and always expensive, the 123s 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 W123 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 Marine Blue (940U) over Palomino MB-Tex (134) is a 1981 Mercedes-Benz 240D, the W123 variant with a well-deserved reputation for longevity. Five years ago, this car suffered a total-loss rollover accident. Under most circumstances, this would not be a Garage Kept-listed car. However, our careful inspection determined the repairs involved were very successfully completed. As with all cars we list, we encourage a pre-purchase inspection of this Mercedes by interested parties or their representatives.

This is a highly optioned Mercedes. Originally delivered for tourist delivery (code 820) with the owner traveling Europe in the car (note the 60 liters—code 673— of fuel included shown on the option list below), the car's odometer now shoes as well as odometer here shows 38,224 miles 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.

Courtesy of lastvin.com, the car's VIN links to this build-data and options list:

VIN WDBAB23A9BB263348
Model Year 1981
Model 240 D
Engine 616912 12 059144
Transmission 02 056043
Order Number 0 1 707 15082
Order Location UNITED STATES - TOURISTS
Interior MB TEX - PALOMINO (134)
Paint 1 MARINE BLUE (940U)
Paint 5 34

252 - RADIO BECKER MEXICO CASSETTE FULL STEREO ELECTRONIC, USA VERSION
410 - SLIDING ROOF, ELECTRICALLY OPERATED
426 -POWER STEERING AND AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION WITH FLOOR SHIFT
440 - TEMPOMAT (CRUISE CONTROL)
467 - CENTRAL LOCKING MECHANISM AND INSTRUMENTS WITH ENGLISH LETTERING
491 - U.S. VERSION
502 - OUTSIDE REAR VIEW MIRROR, ON THE RIGHT
531 - AUTOMATIC ANTENNA
542 - LOCKABLE GLOVE COMPARTMENT
580 - AIR CONDITIONER
593 - HEAT-INSULATING GLASS, ALL-AROUND, HEATED REAR WINDOW PANE (SINGLE-SHEET 663 - SAFETY GLASS), BAND FILTER \
673 - 60 LITERS OF FUEL
801 - HIGH-CAPACITY BATTERY
820 - CHANGE OF MODEL YEAR, THE LAST FIGURE SHOWING THE NEW MODEL YEAR VEHICLES FOR TOURIST (USA, JAPAN, AUSTRALIA)

The exterior Marine Blue paint shows very well,. 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. (To best assess the quality of the paint and trim finishes, please be sure to view the close-up photographs of the car in the accompanying gallery.) 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; yellow driving light lenses are in place. Factory, 14-inch alloy wheels have been chrome plated and mounted with General® Altimax 205/50 all-season tires.

Inside the car, “understated practicality” is the theme. The MB-Tex premium Palomino 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. Light tan carpeting (protected by carpet mats) covers the cabin floor. Wood trim, a Mercedes hallmark which too often can succumb to sun-fading and deterioration, is in excellent condition here. The very businesslike black dashboard hosts driver-centric instruments and controls, with all gauges showing clear lenses and crisp graphics. 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. (Please view the close-up photography in the gallery to assess the excellent condition of the Mercedes' interior surfaces.)

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 car's factory identification tag is in place. The underside of the car is clean with no sign of damage. In particular, the exhaust system shows no evidence of damage from too-aggressive driving or other abuse. (To best appraise the condition of undercarriage surfaces, please review the gallery photos shot from below the car.)

While the more than 175 high-definition photographs and the short walk-around-and-startup video available on the GarageKeptMotors website showcase this '81 Mercedes 240D in detail from every angle, including from below, we expect and encourage in-person inspections at our Grand Rapids, Michigan showroom. Please call to arrange an appointment in advance as our showroom is not open to the public. And feel free to get in touch anytime by phone or email if you have questions.

These Mercedes diesel sedans were built to last. Some examples have exceeded one million miles with only minor repairs and regular servicing. And as this 240D's history demonstrates, they are made of stout, safety-conscious construction techniques. 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 in private hands, cherished by their Mercedes-Benz-enthusiast owners.