MarketPlace: 1978 Mercedes-Benz 300D
Vehicle Details
- Year: 1978
- Make: Mercedes-Benz
- Model: 300D
- VIN: 12313012071184
- Mileage Shown: 62,363
- Transmission: Automatic
- Title Status: Clean
- Color: Astral Silver Metallic
- Seller Type: Private Party
- Location: Vienna, VA 22180
- Country: United States of America
- Lot #: V-0060411-MP
This 1978 Mercedes-Benz 300D is the subject of a comprehensive refurbishment completed by Mercedes Motoring for a prominent New York collector in 2009 at a cost of $30k. Refinished in Astral Silver Metallic paint over original Blue MB-Tex upholstery with zebrano wood trim, it features a fuel-injected inline 5-cylinder diesel engine, a 4-speed automatic transmission, power steering, power-assisted disc brakes, four-wheel independent suspension, air conditioning, automatic heat control, and a period-correct Becker Mexico stereo. Acquired by the current owner from its restorer in 2023 with approximately 1,500 miles driven since, this W123 is now being offered for auction out of Virginia.
The exterior was completely stripped to bare metal and refinished in Astral Silver Metallic paint by a specialist in Newport Beach, California, during the restoration in 2009. The grille assembly was replaced along with the front and rear bumpers, hood insulation pad, Bosch headlight doors, turn signal lenses, taillights, and trunk emblems. The original 14” Bundt wheels have been refinished and come dressed in Blockley 205/70 tires from 2023. An additional set of wheels with body-colored hubcaps is included in the sale. New seals were installed for the driver’s door, windshields, and trunk shortly before the current owner’s purchase in 2023. The seller describes the exterior as being in exceptional condition, apart from some minor cosmetic imperfections and a small chip on the windshield. Detailed images are provided in the gallery.
The cabin features Blue MB-Tex upholstery with matching carpets accented by zebrano wood trim on the dashboard and center console. Accessories include three-way adjustable front seats, air conditioning, automatic heat control, power windows, central locking, cruise control, an original Becker Europa I Stereo, optional right and left side controlled parking light illumination, an electrically heated rear windshield, a quartz clock, front and rear center folding armrests, a front center cargo tray, passenger side power mirror, and a 6-piece custom Coco mat set. The refurbishment included new window switches, a new dome light switch, a power antenna switch, a rear window defroster switch, a rebuilt radio, and a refurbished instrument cluster. The seller reports that all gauges and accessories are fully functional.
The fuel-injected 3.0-liter OM617 inline 5-cylinder diesel engine was factory-rated at 77 HP and 115 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 4-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes power steering, four-wheel power-assisted disc brakes, and four-wheel independent suspension. Mechanical work performed during the refurbishment included a valve adjustment, all new fluids and filter, new belts and hoses, a new battery, A/C servo, a quick glow starting kit, a new master cylinder and reservoir, a new oil pan, fuel injectors, tie rod ends, a new steering shock, control arm bushings, brakes, and electrical fuses. An oil change was performed in May 2025, and a service and a service in May 2024 included an oil change, a brake fluid flush, and a coolant flush.
This sale will include owner’s manuals, a toolkit, a spare tire, an extra set of wheels, and a clean title.
The seller would like you to know: “Thank you for visiting my auction. This is an outstanding example of the venerable W123 sedan. It gets compliments every time I take it for a drive. Under my ownership, it has been used sparingly but regularly. It runs and drives strong, and everything functions properly. It truly needs nothing. I have a lift at my property to facilitate in-person inspections, and I welcome them. I am also happy to take the car to a nearby shop should anyone wish to have a PPI completed.”
Comments (0)
She’s a beauty.
I would like to thank everyone for the bids and comments on this remarkable 300D - just a few reminders as we enter the final hour:
Please be sure to refresh your browser before the end of the auction. Additionally, do not wait until the final second to place a bid and potentially miss out. The clock resets with every bid under 2 minutes.
Rest assured if you need to arrange transport I will be flexible. I have the garage space to hold the car while arrangements are made. I have also shipped cars across the country a few times and I can provide some guidance there if needed.
Best of luck to everyone!
Bid in the amount of $11,600
Bid in the amount of $10,000
Bid in the amount of $9,750
Bid in the amount of $9,050
Good morning! I just uploaded a couple photos of a few additional items that I forgot to include in the listing. There is a front plate bracket, a set of lug nuts for the extra set of steel wheels, and a genuine Mercedes-Benz windshield gasket.
I acquired the gasket in case I decided to replace the windshield due to the chip in it. I never did because it is original glass and the chip isn't that bad (and hasn't gotten worse). Of course, if the next owner wants to replace it the gasket is included.
Bid in the amount of $8,800
Additional content has been added to the gallery for this listing.
Bid in the amount of $8,000
Bid in the amount of $7,250
Bid in the amount of $7,000
@b.trenkamp truly appreciate the response! Thankfully there’s an independent German autohaus shop near me.
A couple years ago I purchased a Euro (original delivery to Spain) 1981 300D, 52,000 km, manual controller hvac, all leather interior. After receiving the car, the garage I use/trust went through it.
Today, the car is (likely) better than new. And it’s a non-turbo. It is a lifetime car for me. This Astral Silver example is the closest one to being as perfect. Bid to own. You will NOT be disappointed.
@Saddletramp1964 In my experience owning this car maintenance has not been difficult. They are not terribly complex and my understanding is that parts availability is good. I have used a small independent Mercedes shop near me without issue.
@AK9eleven Yes, the car's mileage is supported with documentation, including the factory maintenance booklet, service records, and ownership documents (i.e. copies of past registrations and titles).
Can you verify the mileage? Do you have records that support this ?
@cmoghaddam please reach out to me via the “contact seller” button, and we can make arrangements. The auction ends Friday afternoon, so if you can make it tomorrow that would be better.
Hi, I live in great falls and would love to see the car in person this weekend if convenient.
How difficult is it to get these vintage MB’s serviced? Asking for a friend!
@AK9eleven Drive video was posted this afternoon. Let me know if there was something specific that you would like covered that I didn't get in the video.
Clean title in hand, no liens.
Thanks!
Bid in the amount of $6,250
@b.trenkamp Nice video. Can you also do a driving video ? Title in hand ? No lien ?
Good afternoon, I would like to give everyone a big thank you for all of the bids so far!
I will be posting a drive video shortly. If you watch the video you will notice I got a temperature reading on the A/C during the drive. A respectable 46 degrees at the vent. Apologies in advance for the video quality. This was a first attempt at shooting a drive video.
Looking forward to the final days of the auction! Please reach out with any questions.
Bid in the amount of $6,000
Bid in the amount of $5,500
Bid in the amount of $5,000
Bid in the amount of $4,500
Bid in the amount of $4,100
Bid in the amount of $3,750
Bid in the amount of $3,500
Bid in the amount of $2,000
@AK9eleven In the binder of documentation that I have from Mercedes Motoring there is a description of all the work carried out during their restoration. However, I do not have receipts, which is unfortunate. Considering the article in The Drive and the overall condition of the car I have no reason to doubt any of their claims. Ultimately though it is based on the word of Mercedes Motoring.
I appreciate your bid and your comment.
Apologies. Just saw the link
Possible to provide copy of all of the restoration work ?
Bid in the amount of $1,750
Bid in the amount of $1,500
Hi everyone! Welcome to the auction for my 1978 Mercedes-Benz 300D. This has been a fabulous car that I have really enjoyed owning over the last couple of years. Unfortunately, I don’t drive it as much as I should, and with time constraints and other car projects it is time to let this one go to the next caretaker.
Here is a link to an article that Brett Berk did on the car for The Drive. It has some nice background on the car’s provenance and the work that Mercedes Motoring carried out on it.
https://www.thedrive.com/test-drives/2301/behind-the-wheel-of-a-perfect-1978-mercedes-benz-300d
Please feel free to reach out (in the comments or contact seller) with any questions. I aim to stay engaged and responsive for the duration of the auction. Thanks!