Mercedes-Benz W124 EL-CLASSICO — classic Merc, reliable daily/project, Helsinki

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

Now for sale, not a typical panel van — this is a Mercedes-Benz W124, registered as a van, but a classic W124 Merc known for durability and driveability.

The car has been with the same owner (me) since 2013. I believe I was the third owner — and the chain is great. Purchased in Tampere from an 85‑year‑old gentleman who had bought it from a vet 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 vehicle is not fazed by numbers.

Service history is in order. There is a comprehensive service book and the early years were serviced at Veho and Auto Astrum. I recall stamps up to around 360,000 km. I did not continue with main dealer servicing, but the car has been serviced regularly and all work is recorded. Parts were mostly sourced via Merteil; brake parts, springs and other wear items have been replaced as needed.

The gearbox was serviced and strengthened in 2014 by Siekkinen. Siekkinen is known as Finland's top Mercedes gearbox expert, and the workshop's comment stuck with me: “the body panels come off before the box breaks”. That says a lot.

The injection pump has been adjusted slightly to make the engine livelier and more torquey. This is noticeable in driving.

The car is currently having a rear shock absorber replaced. One side was done last year, so these will be sorted.

The right front wing was replaced and repainted when the lower control arm broke a few years ago. There was rust on the lower edges of the front doors under the trim and I expected the worst, but it was moderate. I even bought sill panels just in case, but returned them. The surfaces were repaired.

The vehicle has been registered as a van for my entire ownership. The seats are in storage and have barely been sat on. I used the car as a dog transport vehicle, so it has seen use, not just storage.

Since 2020 the car has stood during summers because I bought a summer car, and it has been driven in winters. Sold as MOT‑ready, taken straight from being driven to parked.

The original paint can still be seen in the valve cover — a small but nice detail that shows the engine bay hasn't been unnecessarily tinkered with.

Known faults (honestly):

• Central locking does not work. A few years ago there was a fault with the tailgate lock and one module was removed. The locks do work normally with the key.

• The headlight washer/wiper arms were once twisted at a car park, so the wiper arms have been removed entirely. This way the car passes inspection 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 transporter.

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

It would make an excellent candidate for museum registration. Originally I planned to make it one myself, as that would raise its value. Plans have changed.

Suitable as a reliable daily for someone who values robust engineering and the driving feel. But above all this is for you who see the potential and want to restore and increase the value — or make a stylish summer golf car.

The only question now is who continues the story.

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

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