1988 Mercedes-Benz 200D
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Highlights
• Low recorded mileage
• Structurally sound
• Recently received a comprehensive service with new rear discs and pads
The Appeal
The W124 Mercedes has established itself as something of a modest yet very accomplished car. Acting almost as the everyman 1980s Mercedes, it would perform dutifully as a luxurious cruiser, a taxi or a spacious load-lugger yet retain a touch of class. With a reputation for quality, durability and space, the W124 is the very epitome of the modern classic, acting as a comfortable daily driver with legendary durability..
Here we have a 1988 entry-level 200D Diesel W124. The car spent its first 5 years of its life in Gibraltar before being shipped over to the UK. Structurally solid, the car has seen some cosmetic touches to help improve its presentation but retains its pleasingly unpretentious look and feel..
The History and Paperwork
- Believed to have belonged to a company director living in Gibraltar from new
- Imported to the UK by the original owner who relocated to the UK in 1993
- The V5C indicates a change of ownership in 2005
- The MOT printouts also point out that the car saw limited use in the last 10 years, having covered not much more than 15K over that period
- Registered new in Gibraltar in 1988, the car was serviced at the main dealer and ran covered around 16,000 miles
- The maintenance service stamps continued up to 2000
- Handwritten notes to support that the maintenance and servicing were maintained, with those notes dating right up to 2018
- Recently received a comprehensive service with new rear discs and pads
The Interior
- Very good condition considering the car’s age
- Appears largely original with a few blemishes
- Zebrano woodwork
The interior, mostly due to the mushroom coloured upholstery, shows its age somewhat, with the carpets and cloth seats looking grubbier than they actually are. However a deep clean could be a task for the next owner, although the driver's seat will need a little more skill to resolve. The bolster on the right has perished, so it would be a prudent option to renew. The worn seat padding has compromised its comfort too. The passenger seat has a few minor marks, but along with the back seat are in far better condition. The boot is in good order, with no suggestion of significant use and therefore adding evidence to the low mileage that it has had a comparatively easy life.
The door cards are good and have been spared the usual scuffs and wear, with the headlining also in good condition with no marks or damage noted. The dashboard facia is in good order throughout, with no significant damage observed on the top of the unit, the plastics are generally intact with the veneer finish still looking far better than average. All dials and controls are said to be operational, and all are visually in good condition.
The Exterior
- Resprayed
- Straight, generally solid bodywork
- Plastic bumpers present well
The body is in decent shape, with no particular issues in regards to metal blemishes, there are minor scabs in places, such as areas under the lights, the lower corners and areas around the arches, nothing significant at the moment but would need a level of treatment at some point.
The rest of the body is solid, with no suggestions of external body corrosion, with the panels all in good shape, and no significant scuffs or dents. The panels and doors are generally flush fitting, with the occasional anomaly which can be put down to the age of the car. The doors open and close with no issues, still retaining a solid thunk partly due to the good door rubbers. The structure is good, with the sills looking solid, although the areas around the near side jacking points may need further investigation.
The engine bay and chassis rails are good. The inner wings appear to be decent, with the boot looking solid too. The control arm mounts and subframes on brief inspection appear to be ok as nothing has been flagged up as an advisory on past MOTs.
The car has seen a cosmetic paint blow over, which has been generally well applied and retains a good lustre but there is evidence of overspray on some areas upon closer inspection but by no means a careless finish. The paint coverage is even and retains a reasonably decent shine.
The unpainted plastic bumpers are uncracked and are in generally good condition, with some suggestions of minor scuffs noted on both rear and front items. They both hang evenly well and along with the ‘Berlin Taxi’ light Ivory paint, suit the car’s honest demeanour. The body trim is all complete and in good condition, with minor signs of age but have resisted the potential for knocks and scrapes rather well.
The door handles show a little more evidence in line with the age of the car but are all functional and fit for purpose. The window glass and rubbers have been well persevered and appear to be keeping the inside of the car dry. The windscreen is in good order with no cracks or chips.
The mixed brand tyres are all within the legal requirements, with decent thread but are likely to be over 20 years old, with the near side rear tyre showing fairly advanced signs of age. The plastic hub caps are in very good condition. The passenger wing mirror casing has fallen off, but it still retains its glass - note that the different door mirror sizes are a particular feature of the W124. The lights and lenses are good, with just the offside rear lamp lens edge showing slight damage.
The Mechanics
- Starts, runs and drives well following recent service
- New rear brake discs and pads
- The engine compartment appears relatively clean and tidy
The 2-litre diesel engine starts instantly, never misses a beat and runs well with no suggestion of issues with the oil or water.
The exhaust silencer displays some signs of corrosion but didn’t appear to be blowing and there were no suggestions of black smoke at all. The engine itself presents well, with pipes, ancillaries and hoses all looking solid suggesting a sympathetic maintenance regime. As expected there are some signs of wear under the hood, but it looks remarkably clean and is a positive reflection on the car's low mileage.
The car is said to ride well, with no problems noted with the brakes, clutch or gear change. The vendor has recently had the rear brakes overhauled, fitting new discs and pads. The brakes function well, with no uneven balance or unwanted noises, and no untoward noises come from the suspension.
Summary
Well known for the ability to cover colossal mileage, this humble but appealing example of a W124 200 Diesel is certainly a great choice for those looking for a modern classic car. It is comfortable, ably deals with poor roads and is a genuinely easy car to own and maintain.
Often mentioned as one of the last of the ‘proper’ Mercedes’, these were genuinely built to last and this low-mileage example could potentially have decades worth of use ahead of it.
Notice to bidders
This item is sold on an ‘As is Where is’ basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and listing descriptions are for guidance purposes only*.** Car & Classic do not warrant listing accuracy. Full inspection is recommended. Viewings are at the seller’s discretion. Buyer is responsible for delivery and collection of any item purchased.
A non-refundable buyer’s deposit is payable on this item, refer to FAQs and T&Cs for the applicable percentage.
All bidding, buying and offers are subject to our Terms and Conditions.
Vehicle specification
- Year 1988
- Make Mercedes
- Model 200D
- Colour Ivory
- Odometer 65,209 Miles
- Engine size 1998
Auction Details
- Seller Type Private
- Town Lyme Regis
- Location Dorset
- Country United Kingdom
11
bids
from 7
bidders
- Hj•••• £3,000 27/11/22
- ha•••• £1,800 27/11/22
- Hj•••• £1,700 27/11/22
- ha•••• £1,500 26/11/22
- Ge•••• £1,100 26/11/22
- Al•••• £1,000 25/11/22
- ha•••• £800 24/11/22
- de•••• £700 23/11/22
- cl•••• £500 22/11/22
- Ol•••• £300 22/11/22
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