This 1981 Mercedes-Benz 300TD Turbo was purchased by its current owner in 2023, and subsequent work, said to total over $20k, involved rebuilding the gearbox, servicing the brakes and suspension, and refurbishing the front seats along with refinishing the interior trim and replacing the radiator, thermostat, vacuum pump, injector nozzles, tires, and more. Finished in Light Ivory over Palomino leather, the car is powered by a 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-five paired with a four-speed automatic transmission. Equipment includes a sunroof, self-leveling suspension, and 14″ wheels with color-matching covers in addition to roof rails, automatic climate control, a Bluetooth-equipped stereo, power windows, and central locking. Showing 221k miles, this W123 300TD Turbo is offered by the seller on behalf of its owner with owner’s manuals, service records, accessories, a damage-free Carfax report, and a clean California title in the owner’s name.
Factory-finished in Light Ivory (623), the car is equipped with a sunroof, Hella H4 headlights, fog lights, dual side mirrors, roof rails, a power antenna, and bright trim. Keyless entry has reportedly been retrofitted, and the rear window, left-front door lock, and central-locking pressure-control valve have been replaced.
Steel 14″ wheels have polished covers with color-matching centers, and they were fitted with 205/70 Ironman GR906 tires in 2024. The car was factory equipped with a hydropneumatic self-leveling rear suspension, and braking is provided by four-wheel discs. Per the seller, service since 2023 has included rebuilding the suspension pump, resetting the ride height, flushing the power-steering fluid, and replacing the brake pads, rotors, and rear calipers as well as the right-front wheel bearings and a tie-rod end.
The front bucket seats and the rear bench are trimmed in Palomino leather, and the fronts received replacement upholstery and seat-cushion springs in 2023, as well as Mercedes-Benz medallions on the backs of the headrests. Additional appointments include automatic climate control, refinished wood trim, AMG badging, power windows, central locking, Coco floor mats, cruise control, and a RetroSound Europa stereo with Bluetooth and a USB connection. The R134a-converted air-conditioning system was recharged under current ownership.
The replacement leather- and wood-trimmed steering wheel frames an 85-mph speedometer, an analog clock, and gauges for coolant temperature, oil pressure, and fuel level. The six-digit odometer shows 221k miles, approximately 2,500 of which were added under current ownership.
The 3.0-liter turbodiesel inline-five was factory rated at 119 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque. Reported work under current ownership has included adjusting the valves, flushing the diesel system, and replacing the following components:
- Vacuum pump
- Belts
- Fuel-filter housing and hoses
- Radiator and hoses
- Thermostat
- Engine mounts
- Fuel strainer
- Injector nozzles
- Oil pan and gasket
- Hood springs
Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission that was rebuilt in 2025, and its vacuum modulator and cooler lines have been replaced.
The accessories shown above and in the gallery are included in the sale.
The Carfax report is free of accident or damage entries, while noting that it was reported stolen and recovered in 1996.