1982 W123 Mercedes 230e - 65,000 genuine miles

This is my W123 Mercedes 230e. I bought it last month through a classic car broker from a retired classic Mercedes fan.  It was bought new in 1982 in Jersey, and imported to the UK in 1995, where it was first registered. I have the shipping, import, and customs documents from its ferry trip in 1995.

I paid £4,000 6 weeks ago. Since then, it has had another £1,500 spent on it. My girlfriend is not a fan, so after a month of ownership - it has to go. Here are a few of its features: -

It is taxed to June 2010, and recently sailed through its MOT with no advisories! Mot'd until October 2010.

• It has genuine 65,000 miles - There's a file of service history, including the original service record and MOT certificates
• In the last 3 months it has had a new radiator, alternator and rear calipers
• It has been fitted with a TRACKER at some point, I have the installation documents and receipts - I didn't activate the service
• It has original and working cruise control
• Manual sunroof, with attractive chrome handle
• It has a blue cloth interior, dashboard and carpets, with Zebrano wood centre console and dashboard inserts (I took the mats out for the photos)
• Original and unopened first aid kit as well as the original warning triangle, toolkit and jack
• 4 working electric windows and passenger electric mirror
• It has pressed metal number plates, which are in excellent condition
• It has the original 2 keys that open all locks, and the chauffeur's key that doesnt open the glovebox, or boot

The following have happened in the 6 weeks since I bought it: -

• Fitted a Zebrano Wood and leather steering wheel (Imported from Germany and cost £220) I also have the original steering wheel, which is also included
• Brand new Thatchamapproved Scorpion transponder immobiliser was fitted (Cost £175)
• 4 new Good year GT2 mid range tyres (Cost £200) The spare is in excellent condition
• Had a Mercedes Audio 10 CD RDS Head Unit professionally installed (Cost £150 second hand) and comes with the code. I've kept the original (working) Clarion 916 unit, which is also included
• Had a brand new Hirschmann electric aerial professionally installed (Cost £85)
• Fitted brand new JBL speakers in the dashboard grilles (Cost £50) The original speakers are available if wanted (but they are no longer serviceable)
• Fitted an original front seat armrest (Cost £50 secondhand)
• Thorough service including oil/filter change, plugs,coolant renewal, front/rear pads and air filter (cost £150)
• Both wing mirrors were replaced and all chrome is in excellent condition (Cost £100)

The car is fitted with the steel wheels and colour coded hub caps; however it also comes with a set of the original "mexican hat" alloy wheels. I bought them (Cost £200), and had them professionally shot blasted and repainted. They look excellent - I've just never put them on, because I prefer the hub caps. I've got a very nice newly refurbed air filter housing,

This car is in excellent mechanical condition and has been used every day since I bought it. And so it should be with only 65,000 miles. Oil pressure and engine temperature are excellent.

Bad points -

• I am picky - there are a couple of small bubbles of rust on the bodywork - I can photograph these if required. There are marks on the edge of bootlid that will not polish out (Apart from these, the bodywork is in very good condition)
• The dashboard backlight doesn't work - It's a common and easily fixed problem and I have a replacement rheostat, which I intend to fit this week
• The roof lining is worn by the sunroof, the drivers seat bolster is showing signs of wear at the edge
• There is a small stonechip on the front windscreen
• Hubcaps have scuffs

I know I won't get back what I paid - The reserve is less than half of what I've spent.

All are very welcome to view and inspect the car - It's kept in Bracknell, Berkshire in the evenings and weekends; I work in Uxbridge, so it could be viewed there during the week. Please call me on 07875 320010 (anytime), or 01895 845338 (weekdays) if you have any questions or want to arrange a viewing.

Many more pictures http://photobucket.com/Mercedes123230eHD 

Thank you for looking at this auction. More pictures also at http://www.mbclub.co.uk/forums/members-gallery/75518-w123-230e-has-arrived.html on the Mercedes Benz Club forum.

A £100 Paypal deposit is required at the end of the auction - Cash, bank transfer, draft for the balance. Not Paypal (unless agreed by separate request!)