Mercedes-Benz 230E Saloon

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Mercedes launched its W123 range to huge acclaim in 1976. The car was such an instant success that a booming black market sprang up to serve those who wanted to leap-frog the 12-month waiting list and by the time it was replaced by the W124 model in 1985, some 2.7 million had been sold, making it by far the most successful Mercedes to date.

Fabulously well built and with gracefully understated styling, it was available as a saloon, coupe or estate with engines ranging from 2.0 – 2.8 litres for the petrol versions and 2.4 – 3.0 litres for the diesels. More powerful fuel injected petrol engines were introduced in 1980 and the range was improved still further with the ‘facelift’ models of September 1982 onwards. All were amazingly robust machines that were an instant hit with taxi drivers the world over, and there are many that are still in daily use in Africa that have clocked up several million kilometres.

This particular 230E Saloon is powered by the 2.3-litre fuel-injected four-cylinder engine that produced 134bhp and 148lb/ft of torque, sufficient for a respectable 0-60 time of 12 seconds and a top speed of 110mph. A most exceptional car, it has clocked up a mere 83,500 miles to date, the vast majority of them in the hands of one fastidious owner.

First registered to Mercedes-Benz UK in June 1985, it was used as a dealer demonstrator and runabout for the first 18 months of its life before being acquired by the current keeper from MB Edgware Road, London, in January 1987 with some 22,000 miles on the clock (purchase invoice present).

For the last 28 years the car has led a cossetted existence and comes with an extraordinary history file that records virtually every movement the car has made in utmost detail. No expense has been spared to keep it in tip-top condition and the vendor states that it remains “in exceptional original condition both inside and out and drives beautifully”.

Freshly MOTd and serviced just prior to the sale and fitted with a new battery, it looks particularly appealing in light blue metallic and undoubtedly has decades of useful life ahead of it - especially if the lucky third owner continues to pamper it in the manner to which it has become accustomed.