1981 Mercedes-Benz 230CE 4-Speed

Euro Market Import, C123 Sunroof Coupe, 4-Speed Manual Transmission

BID TO
$7,255
ENDED ON
03/04/2022 04:54PM EST
BID TO
$7,255
Bid & Comment

1981 Mercedes-Benz 230CE 4-Speed

Euro Market Import, C123 Sunroof Coupe, 4-Speed Manual Transmission

BID TO
$7,255
ENDED ON
03/04/2022 04:54PM EST
BID TO
$7,255
Bid & Comment

Quick Facts

Location:

Cleveland, OH
  • Auction lot: 1255
  • Seller: mbvcars
  • VIN: WDB12324310010445
  • Chassis: C123
  • Odometer: 42,421 (TMU)
  • Title Status: Clean Ohio
  • Exterior color: Signal Red (568)
  • Interior color: Beige Cloth (035)
  • Drivetrain: RWD
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Seller: Dealer
  • 2.3L M102
  • Euro Spec
  • Sunroof Coupe
This 1981 Mercedes-Benz 230CE was ordered new in Germany by a Mercedes corporate employee and subsequently imported into the US in 1999. The car is finished in Signal Red (568) over Beige (035) cloth and is powered by a 2.3-liter inline-four paired with a 4-speed manual transmission. Features include Bundt wheels, Euro bumpers, Euro headlights, an electric sliding metal sunroof, and central locking. This C123 now shows 42k miles and is offered by the selling dealer in Cleveland, Ohio with a clean Carfax report and a clean Ohio title.
auction image

The exterior is finished in Signal Red (568) and features fog lights integrated into the factory Euro headlamps, Euro bumpers, and chrome window and mirror trim. The seller reports all body panels are straight but the paint does show various imperfections including scratches, dings, and crazing around the body and a repaint would be recommended to correct all flaws. Some corrosion can be seen around the wheel wells and detailed photos of the exterior are provided in the gallery below. 

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Factory 14″ Bundt wheels feature Mercedes-Benz center caps and wear white pinstriped Bridgestone tires up front and Michelin tires in the rear. 
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The cabin is upholstered in Beige (035) cloth with matching door cards, carpets and floor mats. Interior features include wood trim, central locking, dual-zone heater controls, an electric sunroof, manual windows, and a heated rear window. Various cracks can be seen in the wood veneer and upper dash. The seller notes the sunroof intermittently sticks and the heater blower and blinkers are currently inoperative.
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Instrumentation includes a 115-mph speedometer, an analog clock, and gauges for coolant temperature, fuel level, and oil pressure. The seller notes the temperature and fuel level gauges are inoperative. Upon federalization, the gauge cluster was changed to miles from kilometers and the odometer now reads just over 42k miles.
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The 2.3-liter M102 inline-four features Bosch fuel injection and was factory rated at 134 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a 4-speed manual transmission.
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Additional underside photos can be seen in the gallery. The seller notes some corrosion around the jack points and wheel arches is present.
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The Carfax report indicates no accidents or other damage and shows history in Illinois from the first entry in 1999.
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The MB Market Insights

The W123 chassis has become a favorite amongst Mercedes enthusiasts across the world. These cars were offered as both gasoline and diesel powered variants as well as having the option of a sedan, wagon, or coupe body. While the sedans are easily the most common examples today, the wagons and coupes remain most desirable. This particular 230CE is a genuine Euro market example and still wears original Euro bumpers and lighting. As if this wasn’t unique enough, the car is also optioned with a sunroof and 4-speed manual transmission. The Euro cloth inserts on the interior are a nice factory touch and pairs well with the Signal Red combination. As a true driver quality example, this 230CE makes for a great classic car project that can be enjoyed as is and restored over time. 

Photo Gallery

+72

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1981 Mercedes-Benz 230CE 4-Speed

Place Bid

BID TO
$7,255 by AR80sCedes
ENDED ON
03/04/2022 04:54PM EST
BID HISTORY
17
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19 Comments

Posted as:
March 5th, 2022 at 2:18am EST
I am sorry to be this late here.
I saw this car for sale last December. Asking price was 10K. I am not a W123 expert, but it was not worth that amount. Tops, it was perhaps $5K. Plenty of rust, horrible paint. metal to metal noise when driving it. etc. I had to pass. Remained curious and kept seeing it online. It sold for 10K in mid December. New owner post it for sale in January for 9500. Current owner got it in January/Feb and is selling it now. I am not surprised. The car had plenty of problems.
Apologies for this being so late, hope no one got ripped off.
March 4th, 2022 at 10:26pm EST
First bidder, still interested.
March 4th, 2022 at 4:52pm EST

$7,255 bid placed by @AR80sCedes

March 4th, 2022 at 4:50pm EST

$7,005 bid placed by @JJLuan

March 4th, 2022 at 4:49pm EST

$6,755 bid placed by @AR80sCedes

March 4th, 2022 at 4:48pm EST

$6,505 bid placed by @JJLuan

March 4th, 2022 at 4:36pm EST

$6,255 bid placed by @AR80sCedes

March 4th, 2022 at 4:00pm EST

$6,005 bid placed by @BadDogg

March 4th, 2022 at 2:29pm EST

$5,755 bid placed by @AR80sCedes

March 4th, 2022 at 10:29am EST

$5,505 bid placed by @Meesterman

March 3rd, 2022 at 8:31pm EST

$5,255 bid placed by @AR80sCedes

March 3rd, 2022 at 11:50am EST

$5,005 bid placed by @Meesterman

March 3rd, 2022 at 10:56am EST
@mbvcars Thank for the information!
March 3rd, 2022 at 10:24am EST
mbvcars (0)
Seller
0
@DCESAL Yes, I was thinking to fix it than sell it but too many ongoing projects right now, I might still do it, if it does not sell.
March 3rd, 2022 at 10:16am EST
May I know what was the motivation in buying this car just a month ago?  Was there an intention to fix and keep it?
March 3rd, 2022 at 9:09am EST
mbvcars (0)
Seller
0
@WalidMB We just bought the car 'as is' a month ago. I have no idea  who did the modifications.
Yes, it is a matching numbers car.
Only the passenger side front fender is different, the rest is all the same.
It is hard to tell if the paint is original, if it was painted it seems to be a very long time ago.
March 2nd, 2022 at 9:36pm EST
Hi, thanks for sharing the additional pictures. I have some questions if you could help;
- following parts mounted on car like front and rear bumbers, front headlights and rear lights, as well as the interior upholstery- both are actually made for 280CE and never came on 230CE - please justify if these modifications done on car?
- confirm if the car has matching numbers; chassis, engine and gear?
- some body panels and parts appear on different paint degree - can you please inform what areas have has a paint job before? 
- Any panel or body parts stand on its original paint from production.

Thank you in advance 
Looking forward for quick response before auction closing!
March 2nd, 2022 at 10:45am EST
This car is so 'Crisp' - pun intended
March 2nd, 2022 at 10:01am EST

$3,500 bid placed by @Michaelmando

March 2nd, 2022 at 9:22am EST

$3,250 bid placed by @rebelcpa14

March 1st, 2022 at 5:53pm EST

$3,000 bid placed by @Joshuaslife59

February 28th, 2022 at 11:04pm EST

$2,750 bid placed by @Talal

February 28th, 2022 at 12:59pm EST
Additional photos of the trunk floor/spare wheel well have been added to the gallery.
February 28th, 2022 at 12:55pm EST
@joshuamedvin Josh - all auctions have a reserve unless the title states "NO RESERVE" and the description states the car is being offered without reserve.  Also, as a reminder to all bidders, it is against the terms of service to ask about the reserve price amount during the pendency of an ongoing auction.  Thank you and good luck!
February 28th, 2022 at 11:03am EST


Is this a Reserve or a No-Reserve Auction? If the former, has Reserve been met?

Thanks again,

Josh
February 28th, 2022 at 11:02am EST

$2,500 bid placed by @Michaelmando

February 28th, 2022 at 10:49am EST
Lovely!
February 27th, 2022 at 12:09pm EST
mbvcars (0)
Seller
0
@WalidMB will send you all the pictures tomorrow.
February 27th, 2022 at 12:08pm EST
mbvcars (0)
Seller
0
This engine is definitely much quieter than a 240D. 
I did not notice any unusual noises. 
I’m not sure if this gearbox is different from the 240 D.
Thank you for your interest.
February 27th, 2022 at 11:59am EST
Anyone know if this is the same gearbox as the manual 240D? I'm intrigued but my manual 240D was unbearably loud on the highway. Or if perhaps the gas motor is quieter? Thanks.
February 26th, 2022 at 1:09pm EST
Hi, is it possible to include detailed pictures for;
-  the trunk floor, 
- spare wheel & whatever tools
- floor pans from inside (front and rear)
- any factory records, bills & records?

Thank,
February 26th, 2022 at 11:28am EST

$2,250 bid placed by @BadDogg

February 26th, 2022 at 9:49am EST
@zoccierampqt Update has been made, thanks!
February 26th, 2022 at 9:32am EST
mbvcars (0)
Seller
0
@zoccierampqt , its typo or an error from the site, we already messaged MB Market to take care of this.
Thank you for noticing and pointing out.
February 25th, 2022 at 9:02pm EST
Please correct listing title, this is a 230CE and not 280CE
February 25th, 2022 at 5:38pm EST

$2,000 bid placed by @allmack

Quick Facts

Location:

Cleveland, OH
  • Auction lot: 1255
  • Seller: mbvcars
  • VIN: WDB12324310010445
  • Chassis: C123
  • Odometer: 42,421 (TMU)
  • Title Status: Clean Ohio
  • Exterior color: Signal Red (568)
  • Interior color: Beige Cloth (035)
  • Drivetrain: RWD
  • Transmission: Automatic
  • Seller: Dealer
  • 2.3L M102
  • Euro Spec
  • Sunroof Coupe

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