In December 2018, just after I'd sold the everyday 5-speed, dual-fuel 230E (as we'd purchased a super-economical turbo-diesel 2010 Hyundai i30 wagon) a car was advertised in nearby Bendigo, Victoria, describing the Mercedes 230E as having genuine 65,000km. Of course, I just had to have a look, absolutely sure it'd be clearly a much higher-mileage car. However, what greeted me was a very dusty, actually pretty shabby car which had clearly not run for many years. Tyres were deeply treaded but severely dried and cracked, and the underbonnet area was very dusty. However, the car started once a new battery was installed, even though the aroma of very stale fuel was prevalent. Underneath the outside grime, the obviously original paint still had a deep lustre, the steering wheel and pedal rubbers clearly showed the odometer reading was genuine, as did the rest of the slightly grubby but museum-quality interior. A look at the documentation in the glovebox also showed beyond doubt the mileage was genuine.
The car was being sold from the estate of the very elderly female owner. It was originally purchased 16/8/82 from Bendigo Motor Company Ltd, and a 1972 Ford Fairmont Station Wagon was traded in for $4000. All purchase documents are still with the car, as are almost every receipt for everything done to the car. Price new was $35833, including $995 for metallic paint (Silber Blau, or Silver Blue) and $155 for a tow bar, which appears to have never been used (the original invoice is shown in the pictures below).
She had always been the only driver of the car, treasuring it and refusing to let anyone else drive her car. From the date of purchase until it was sold, the car was garaged at the same address, in High St, Kangaroo Flat (Bendigo) Victoria.
So I purchased it. What else could you do? But with the 5 years since the previous service (during which time the car had covered almost no distance at all) and the perished tyres, I decided to bring the car home on a truck rather than risk damaging something driving it the hundred or so kilometres to its new home.
Some weeks were spent thoroughly but careful cleaning inside, outside, top and bottom. Photos of the amazing underfloor area will soon be added to this page. Tyres, hoses, belts were replaced, and fuel and lubricants all drained and replaced, along with all filters. By this time the car was gleaming in its original paintwork, and even smelled new inside. And that's exactly how it drives. Silent, taut, an absolute pleasure!
↑ Fisheye lens shows the interior nicely.
Truly as new, and all original.
↑ I had to retain this original dangly thing
from the original owner! (plus the keyring).
↑ Genuine kilometres!
↑ I designed this 'replica' dealership
sticker for the back window. Correct dealer, address and phone number.
↑ The last
service had been done in 2013. It still hasn't reached the 70,000km point
yet (but has been fully serviced!)
↑ Even the
windscreen is original, and in perfect condition.
↑ The three W123s
(1981 AMG-enhanced 280TE, this car and a
1985 230E) in the
Kelly St Classics shed together.
↑ The
original purchase invoice.