Chronicling my adventures with old Mercedes-Benz diesels, including how I came to buy them, what they’re like to live with, and how much they cost to run.
One of the very best modifications you can make to a W123-series Mercedes is swapping its original 14-inch steel wheels for aluminum versions of the same. The aluminum rims (pictured above) are the same dimensions as the original…
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It’s been a little more than three months and almost 2000 miles since I picked up the Colorado Beige 240D from its original owner in California, so I thought it might be time for a fuel economy update. In that time, I’ve driven…
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Once I got the 240D home to Seattle, it was time for a good sorting. This is something I do with pretty much every used car I buy: take it to the best specialist in the area for a complete evaluation — from hood ornament to …
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The map between Monterey and Seattle presents some pretty compelling options. Of course, a drive up Highway 1 along the coast is tough to beat. It’s got great scenery, charming towns, and entertaining tarmac. It’s also fun to…
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The day after picking up the 240D, I met up with a few friends, and we spent a long weekend exploring the peninsula’s treasure trove of golf courses. They ranged from Pacific Grove Municipal, known colloquially as “poor man’s…
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In mid-May, I flew to Monterey to fetch the new-to-me 240D. It was a surprisingly easy flight — just over two hours from Seattle, nonstop. The car’s seller, Bill, had graciously offered to meet me at the airport. Based on…
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When I’m browsing used car listings (pretty much a daily habit), there’s really one thing in particular that I’m looking for. It’s not a specific year, make, or model. It’s not an unusual color or rare option. It’s not a crazy…
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The first time I ever encountered a W123 generation Mercedes, I was twelve years old. It was my first day at a brand new school in a brand new city. Waiting somewhat anxiously for my carpool to arrive, I saw a dark blue 300D …
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In April of 2021, I purchased a 1977 Mercedes-Benz 240D from its original owner, who had special ordered it, picked it up at the factory, and then used it as a daily driver for some 44 years and 250,000 miles. Here I’ll be…
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