Description
Mercedes 230E - W123 Series
Year 1981
Historic Vehicle Class so Tax, MOT and ULEZ free
I am only the second owner in its entire 44 year history
The original owner purchased direct from Mercedes in 1981 and owned it all the way until 2024
Huge history file going back to when it was new along with the original bill of sale and specification sheet.
The owner was attached to the diplomatic service and the car travelled with him to his various postings overseas.
From the paperwork it seems to have spent much of its time abroad in hot and sunny climates such as Egypt.
As the car was to be used overseas he purchased it as a Right Hand Drive car but with the speedometer in KM
Specification
230 E ( 2. 3L with early Bosch K Jetronic Fuel Injection )
4 speed manual transmission
Power Steering
Manual windows and manual locking
PVC and cloth seats
Mileage
Currently showing 279170 KM This equates to approx 172, 000 miles and the service paperwork backs up this figure.
When I purchased the car it needed some minor recommissioning.
It appears it had been stored for a year or two, I assume the owner became too old to drive it and his family arranged the sale.
Work done since purchase
Essential improvements and repairs
4 x New tyres ( old were perished and the wrong profile )
1 x New radiator fan thermal control switch and raidiator cap
4 x New fuel injectors
2 x New Radiator fan belt and Power Steering belt
Replaced some fuel lines and unions which were perished and leaked
Fitted new fuel non return valve to restore to original specification for hot starting
Fitted new battery
Fitted new heater blower switch as old was only partially working
Fitted new driver door seal strip to reduce wind noise
General oil service and vehicle inspection
Improvements made for security and comfort
1 x Kenwood Bluetooth Stereo Head unit fitted – which includes hands free phone mode
2 x Kenwood front replacement speakers fitted into facia panel
2 x New Kenwood speakers fitted in rear parcel shelf ( same location as Mercedes optional fitment )
1 x Proximity key engine immobiliser
2 x LED H4 Headlamp bulbs fitted ( now great for night driving and due to vehicle age it is legal to retrofit these )
In total something in the region of £950 or so has been sopent on replacement and upgrade parts alone.
Overall Condition
The car is generally as good as it looks in the photos.
There is some minor marking and scuffs on the body work ( it is allowed as a 44 year old car )
I think it has had some body repairs in the past ( looks like new front wings for example ) but it all appears to have been completed to a professional standard.
Two small areas of wear on the drivers seat and some minor marking on the upholstery ( likely with come much cleaner with some time and upholstery cleaner )
Underneath it appears to be nice and solid without any areas of concern
Mechanically it appears pretty much perfect.
No smoke or no rattles etc.
Drives faultlessly
Everything works as it should and with the bullet proof Mercedes build quality of the period will likely remain this way for another 100, 000 miles or so. ( these cars are known for covering almost a million miles without issues )
My History with the Car
I bought the car last year with the intention of recommissioning and then using as the " daily driver "
This I did and as you can see it was a pretty much no expense spared recommisioning exercise as it was going to be for me so I did not care too much about the cost.
However as is often the case, life then changed and with it my needs changed also.
I went from needing a car to cover local journeys of a few thousand miles per year to needing something to pound up and down the motorways covering much bigger mileages.
I have do doubt this old Mercedes would perform the service without issue but decided some better fuel economy, airbags and aircon might be a better idea for motorway life.
So in view of the above usage change and not really having enough space to keep it I have decided to offer it for saleHistoric Vehicle Class so Tax, MOT and ULEZ free
I am only the second owner in its entire 44 year history
The original owner purchased direct from Mercedes in 1981 and owned it all the way until 2024
Huge history file going back to when it was new along with the original bill of sale and specification sheet.
The owner was attached to the diplomatic service and the car travelled with him to his various postings overseas.
From the paperwork it seems to have spent much of its time abroad in hot and sunny climates such as Egypt.
As the car was to be used overseas he purchased it as a Right Hand Drive car but with the speedometer in KM
