This 1981 Mercedes-Benz 300TDT Wagon is a U.S.market example that was ordered and delivered new in Connecticut. Registration history shows Connecticut and Virginia registrations until the car was exported to France for a new owner in 2011 where it’s remained since. Finished in Walnut Brown (479) over Palomino MB-Tex (134), power is provided by a 3.0-liter five-cylinder turbocharged diesel paired with a four-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels. Factory equipment includes a sliding steel sunroof, central locking, automatic climate control, a passenger-side mirror and a newer Becker head unit. The car features European market headlamps along with a painted pinstripe along the beltline of the body. The factory service booklet shows stamps and a number of records are included from the car’s Virginia ownership showing dealer servicing prior to export. Showing 70k miles on the odometer, this turbo diesel-powered wagon is now offered by the seller in Paris, France with factory literature, the original cargo cover, tool kit, import documentation, and a clean French title.
The exterior is finished in Walnut Brown (479) and features original U.S.-spec bumpers along with Euro-spec lights and a chrome roof rack. Additional exterior equipment includes front fog lamps, a manual passenger-side door mirror, heated rear window, rear window wiper and a mechanical sliding steel sunroof. The car was previously repainted under prior ownership and is believed to be its first repaint. Detailed photos are included in the gallery.
Factory 14” Bundt wheels wear Hankook all season tires measuring 195/70 at all four corners. The tires show 2025 date codes and little wear. A full-size bundt spare is mounted in the rear along with the factory jack.
The cabin is upholstered in Palomino MB-Tex (134) which features a matching black dash and Palomino door panels. Zebrano wood trim lines the center console and dashboard. Interior appointments include automatic climate control, a Becker head unit, electric windows, central locking and a split-folding second row. Black and tan thatchwork floor mats are shown and included in the sale.
The factory four-spoke steering wheel fronts analog instrumentation including a 115mph speedometer, an analog clock and gauges for fuel level, coolant temperature and oil pressure. This six-digit odometer currently shows approximately 70k miles.
This S123 is powered by a 3.0-liter inline-five turbodiesel engine which produced 123 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque when new. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a four-speed automatic transmission. The factory service booklet shows stamps and a number of records are included from the car’s Virginia ownership showing dealer servicing prior to export. The seller notes current needs to be a fuel tank in need of cleaning or replacement and the A/C is noted to be inoperable.
The car was exported from the U.S. in 2011 and has remained in France since. Showing 70k miles on the odometer, this turbo diesel-powered wagon is now offered by the seller in Paris, France with factory literature, the original cargo cover, tool kit, import documentation, and a clean French title.
The S123 wagon is no longer the sleepy, practical corner of the W123 market — it has become one of the cars leading the charge. This 1981 300TDT makes a strong case for why. Finished in Walnut Brown over Palomino MB-Tex, with a well-placed pinstripe and Euro headlamps, it has the warm, old-world Mercedes look that these wagons wear better than almost anything else from the era. Its history also makes it more interesting than the average diesel wagon. Built for the U.S. market, it spent time in Connecticut before settling in Charlottesville, Virginia by at least 2005, and was later exported to France in 2011. That kind of transatlantic path feels entirely appropriate for a W123. These cars were built to live real lives, cover serious mileage, and keep going. The needs are worth noting: the air conditioning is currently inoperative, and the fuel tank will require cleaning or replacement. But neither issue changes the underlying appeal. A Walnut Brown 300TDT with Palomino, Euro lighting, and honest driver-quality character is exactly the sort of wagon enthusiasts increasingly understand. It is not perfect, and that may be the point, this is a charming, usable S123 with the right colors, the right look, and plenty of life left to give.
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43 Comments
33k and didn't even hit the reserve is absolutely crazy. I know this wagon has a comparably low mileage, but the underside pictures don't look particularly overwhelming, it got a repaint for some reason and has several other issues need to be taken care of. If you're willing to pay that much, just get one from Woods&Barclay at this point. For comparison: Last year a beautiful wagon was sold in Germany with a little higher mileage, German spec, 7 seater, leather interior, seat heating, AC, CC, pristine condition, pristine engine bay and even the original roof boxes for around 30k€.Thank you very much all your bidders.I didnt think I get it.Hope that you all have a nice evening. Take care and be safe.KajIt doesn’t surprise me as it has many features which are good. But good ones can be found. I have 2. Weak point is the diesel engine. Ok turbo but sluggish.@Henson Yes reserve not met@TVM1974 Fierce battle everyone, but the beauty stays with usIt does not appear to have met reserve though @TVM1974.Well done stigby. Great car$33,000 bid placed by @Stigby
$31,500 bid placed by @TVM1974
$31,000 bid placed by @Stigby
$29,000 bid placed by @ralfi
$28,500 bid placed by @equinepeddler
$28,000 bid placed by @ralfi
$27,500 bid placed by @TVM1974
$27,000 bid placed by @Stigby
$26,500 bid placed by @equinepeddler
$26,000 bid placed by @TVM1974
$25,010 bid placed by @J9thomps
$24,500 bid placed by @equinepeddler
$24,250 bid placed by @ralfi
$24,000 bid placed by @equinepeddler
$23,750 bid placed by @ralfi
$23,500 bid placed by @equinepeddler
$23,250 bid placed by @ralfi
$23,000 bid placed by @equinepeddler
$22,550 bid placed by @TVM1974
$22,300 bid placed by @ralfi
$22,050 bid placed by @J9thomps
$21,500 bid placed by @equinepeddler
$21,000 bid placed by @TVM1974
$20,500 bid placed by @MBanc
$20,000 bid placed by @equinepeddler
$19,000 bid placed by @TVM1974
$17,500 bid placed by @equinepeddler
Import into the us will be 12.5% on hammer price + vat Into the uk 5%.$17,000 bid placed by @TVM1974
For shipping it is confirmed at 6500 for the US all-in except import taxes, in a container. Roro is less than 3000€To all the bidders, one hour to go, I am available if you have further questions. Have fun, let's see where this beauty goes !$16,000 bid placed by @Dubliner
An additional 64 photos have been added to the gallery showing paint meter readings, door jambs, interior details, and additional underside photos.$14,250 bid placed by @G500BRABUS
$14,000 bid placed by @Stigby
$13,750 bid placed by @TVM1974
$13,500 bid placed by @Stigby
@AnalogAuto Thx!@CiniMini118 Just done it now@AnalogAuto Hi, still MB market didn't update the pictures. Can you reach out to them again maybe? Thx!@AnalogAuto @ buyers regarding shipping, as its an area i deal with often make sure that the quotes are ‘all in’. What i mean is handling fees, bill of laden, export fees, import fees, customs, sales taxes and shipping. Ro ro are cheap but for a reason. Logistics co’s are masters at quoting one thing and then requesting other related expenses. Also, used cars in containers may be left on the docs for long periods, exposed to the elements or exposed to humidity and salt for the period it is in transit. Shipping is currently going through some disruption because of the follies of a few. My point is simply to do your homework. I say it as an enthusiast not wishing anyone to be caught with an unpleasant and expensive experience. I say this irrespective of who the bidder or winner is or will be.@TVM1974 Yes its posted on their drive but it needs a manual update/upload, they should do it today, I sent them a message@gordontsuji About shipping, I am still waiting for an official written quote but he gave me a rough idea on the phone, a 20ft container should be about 4500€ at the moment and Ro-ro would be a cheaper option but with more risks, I expect under 3000, I tried to reach him again tonight (french local time) and I will contact him tomorrow morning for a more precise info.@AnalogAuto thank you. Don’t forget to post the pictures of the underside in order for to see if the sils are intact or need attention. Thank you@TVM1974 it is a 5 seat version@AnalogAuto merci pour votres reponse. J’ai une autre question: La voiture dispose-t-elle de l’option 7 places? Ou le coffre n’a-t-il pas les siege rabattables? Merci.@TVM1974 We've just tried the SLS, the level was low in the tank so there is maybe a small leak, we sat at two in the trunk and height goes from 62 to 59cm, it is probably working better with more pressure when driving, we will have a look to make it work properly. A-pillars are perfect, I took a new set of photos, I will ask the admin to ad them also.$13,250 bid placed by @TVM1974
$13,000 bid placed by @ralfi
$12,750 bid placed by @TVM1974
$12,500 bid placed by @J9thomps
@AnalogAuto Thank you so much!@CiniMini118 I asked the admin of the site to update the picture file, should be available soon$7,500 bid placed by @TVM1974
Hello, is the SLS systems still working? Given the carcwas a connecticut car (salt galore state) have underside puctures been offered? Can you comment on rust near the footwells (A pillar). These cars tend to gave issues there. Many thanks.How do I see the photos of the underside of the car?@AnalogAuto Great, how can I access it?@AnalogAuto San Diego. Thanks.@CiniMini118 I have a series of pictures that I ve added to the MBMARKET drive, no rust or leak to mention@gordontsuji Hi, I will ask confirmation to a shipping company, where are you locatedHello, any pictures from beneath? Especially to see if there is any rust and if the engine + transmission are leaking oil.Roughly how much is it to ship back to the states?@LadyAvanttro Thanks@PeoriaBenz Hi, yes the carfax is very clean and detailled, with matching invoices, the Maryland owner that buys it in 2008 sends it to France in 2011 to keep it in Britanny with him untill 2014, with service records in 2012-2013-2014. Then sells it with about 64.400 miles to french collectors that kept it for 12 years adding about 5.000 miles over the period.This is deeply impressive. Just wowJust curious about the mileage with the wording “showing 70,000 miles”. Is this believed to be correct? And what documentation exists? But otherwise, a lovely looking 123 wagon! GLWTA!$7,250 bid placed by @RubyAppleWaggy
@AnalogAuto Merci les gars!$7,000 bid placed by @Pfuller33
@Flemingstoke I just checked quickly and the price is about 200€ for a 30 days insurance@Flemingstoke In France we don't have have temporary plates for export, the plates stay with the car and you can drive for one month with them, we can set a temporary insurance so you are covered@Red385SL I hope you have GOOD friends !@AnalogAuto Does France have "transit plates" like Germany and Belgium? The kind that allows you to drive a car for a short amount of time (4-6 weeks) throughout Europe for export purposes. They sometimes include insurance too.My birthday is coming up. Anyone wants to chip in so I can have this shipped back to the states? Beautiful car 😍 good luck to all bidders.@Henson Thank you for your message! Let's see in which country it goes or if it stays in France :)Hello beautiful! @AnalogAuto good afternoon and best wishes with your S123 estate auction. I love this rare Walnut Brown exterior. With low mileage to boot. Tres bien. Vive la France !!!