Mercedes-Benz E, 1993, Helsinki

🚗 El Classico – Mercedes-Benz 300 TD, model year 1993 🚗

This is not just a car. It is a story that starts every time you turn the key.

The car has been with the same owner (me) since 2013. I believe I was the third owner – and the chain is lovely. Bought in Tampere from an 85-year-old gentleman who had acquired it from a veterinarian in Rauma, who in turn bought it new. This car has more history than many Netflix series.

Mileage at purchase: 380,000 km
Mileage now: 545,394 km
And yes – this example is not afraid of big numbers.

The service history is in order. A comprehensive service book is available and in the early years the car was serviced at Veholla and Auto Astrum. As I recall there are inspection stamps up to around 360,000 km. I did not continue using main dealer services, but the car has been serviced regularly and all services are recorded. Parts have mainly been sourced via Merteil; brake parts, springs and other wear items replaced as needed.

The gearbox was serviced and reinforced in 2014 at Siekkinen. Siekkinen is known as Finland's top Mercedes gearbox specialist, and the shop comment stuck with me: “they'll strip the panels off before the box breaks”. That says quite a lot.

The injection pump has been slightly adjusted to make the car livelier and give more torque. In practice this is noticeable in driving.

The car is currently having a rear shock absorber replaced. One side was changed a year ago, so these will be completed.

The right front wing was replaced and painted when the lower control arm broke a few years ago. There was rust on the lower edges of the front doors at the trim and I expected the worst, but the reality was moderate. I even bought replacement sills just in case, but they were returned. The surfaces were, however, made good.

The car has been registered as a van for the whole time I owned it. The seats are in storage and have barely been sat on. The car has been used by me as a dog car, so it has seen use, not just storage.

Since 2020 the car has been parked in summers because I acquired a summer car, and it has been driven in winters. Sold with a current MOT, taken straight from use into standing.

The original paint is still visible in the valve cover – a small but nice detail that shows the engine bay hasn't been unnecessarily tinkered with.

Known faults (honestly):

• The central locking does not work. A few years ago there was a fault with the boot lock which required one system to be disconnected. The locks do, however, work normally with the key.

• The headlamp wipers were once bent in a car park, so the wiper arms have been removed completely. This way the car passes the MOT neatly.

• A piece is missing from the lower edge of the front bumper; it was damaged during towing when the lower control arm broke and the car was pulled onto a trailer.

This is not a new car, but it is a car with soul, history and still many kilometres left.

This would be an excellent candidate for museum registration. The original plan was to do this myself, as that raises the value to a different level. The plan has changed, however.

Well suited as a reliable daily for someone who appreciates durable engineering and the feel of driving. But above all this is for you who see the potential and want to restore it into a valuable classic – perhaps a stylish summer golf car.

The only question left is who will continue the story.

Total percentage of replaced parts 0.5% (rear seat base removed 0.5%)

The vehicle must be collected within 7 days of the end of the auction unless otherwise agreed - Huutokaupat.com.