1985 Mercedes 300TD California Model

Reluctantly selling my all-original 1985 Mercedes 300TD (turbo-diesel) only because I'm moving overseas and can't take it with me. I purchased the car in Southern California in 2015 from the second owner and have loved driving it across the country on many roadtrips. The 1978-1985 Mercedes 300 diesels are used as taxi cabs in Eastern Europe and Africa, and are some of the most dependable cars of all time, of which this is an outstanding example of one preserved in time. This 1985 model is the most sought-after year, given it was the final year of production and Mercedes made several upgrades during the 300TD's lifespan. Overall, this car will be a dream for those looking to drive in retro-style or relive the old days in the wagon. Below are more details:
Engine/Mechanics:
This car sports the famous OM617 engine (California model with the trap oxidizer) is known for being the most reliable engine of all time (google it), and there are numerous million mile examples out there. At just over 150k miles, this is at the beginning of its life, and has many more to come. The car has had routine oil changes, valve checks, and has great compression. The transmission was rebuilt two years ago, and shifts smoothly. The turbocharger was rebuilt three years ago to ensure maximum power output, which is absolutely necessary for these 5-cylinders. The A/C system needs a freon recharge, and I recommend having it professionally done. Other than that, everything works smoothly and it is ready to drive across the country. The engine is well taken care of, and is at the beginning of its long life.
Vacuum:
Anyone who has owned an old Mercedes can attest that the vacuum system is a common point of failure, which is why I dedicated a whole section on it. This car pulls great vacuum, and has had most hoses and fittings replaced to prevent unnecessary leakage. The previous owner incorrectly routed vacuum lines to "shortcut" several routes, but I restored it back to the factory specs. Since the door locks, A/C, transmission, and engine shutoff all depend on vacuum, this is vitally important and something you'll rarely see sellers claim.
Interior:
The interior of this model is impeccable. The dash has several small cracks (pictured), and there is one hairline crack in the driver's seat leather. Other than that, the interior looks just like it did when it was brand new. The moonroof slides smoothly and is perfect for cruising around on summer nights. The previous owner somehow scraped the carpet in a couple penny-sized spots in the back of the car near the hatch, but these are pretty minor. I do not have original carpet for the rear passenger foot-space, but have used a drivers side floormat in the exact same color, which as worked fine for me. The AF/FM cassette player works great, and I'll even throw in a Fleetwood Mac cassette tape for your drive home.
One of my favorite features of the 300TD wagon is the rear space when the seats are folded down. The wagon boasts just over 6 feet of flat space, and has been perfect for car-camping trips when it's too cold to sleep outside. There is a remarkable amount of head space in the back, and has been perfect for moving large pieces of furniture such as bedframes, dressers, and even couches without damaging the interior. It's almost like having a truck, but this way you don't get the annoying calls from friends every Saturday wanting you to help them move.
Exterior:
Rarely do you find a model with as little rust as this one. I have attached close-up pictures of the few door-dings that accumulated a small amount of rust for full transparency. Other than those small spots, this original Southern California car is solid. I have been very disciplined to wash the undercarriage of the car after driving on road salt to prevent any East Coast corrosion in the 6 years I've owned it.
The original white paint is my favorite color of production and goes well with the black interior. However, it could use a new paint job for anyone wanting to do a full restoration. The paint on the hood has small cracks above the highest temperature parts of the engine bay, and the clear coat is fading on direct sunlight areas. Please see the pictures for more details. Additionally, the rear passenger door needs new rubber sealant, and as a result allows water to accumulate in the floorboard when the car is parked on a hill after a heavy rain. The wheels have definitely seen better days (also pictured), and I would recommend re-chroming the Bundt wheels for those wanting to do a full restoration.
In summary, this is going to be a great driver or full restoration candidate for whoever is lucky enough to get their hands on it. I am dying to have to give it away, but look forward to someone enjoying it for the next 30 years of its long life.
DISCLAIMERS: I also have this car listed locally for sale, and reserve the right to end the eBay auction. The buyer is responsible for local pickup here in the Washington, D.C. area. I have made every effort to be transparent about the maintenance this car needs, and recommend any serious buyer come see the car before purchase, as it is impossible to convey every detail about the car over an eBay description. Please feel free to message me and ask any questions you may have before purchase, as all sales are final. i accept money order or Paypal for payment.

Also published at eBay.com