Americans are no strangers to European cars. In certain parts of particular cities, Audis, BMWs, and Ferraris are common sights. However, the Mercedes-Benz you see here is a little more Euro than a lot of cars on American roads. According to its current owner in New Hampshire, it’s “the only In Europe version of the 124 series wagon.” He or she does not “know of another one in the USA.”
That may or may not be the case, but this is a fact: This 1986 250TD is an estate model. We’ve had a few modern wagons here in the U.S., but crossovers seem to be much more popular, despite being similar to wagons.
Under the hood, there’s a diesel-powered I5. We have a decent selection of diesel models here in America. We still seem to love our gasoline more, though. The seller says this particular oil burner is good for 38-42 mpg.
Inside, there’s an electric sunroof and a five-speed manual gearbox. Such transmissions are still available here in the U.S., but I’ve always found them to be more synonymous with cars across the pond. Hopefully, this car’s transmission offers enough driver satisfaction to offset the fact that there’s no AC or power windows.
What do you all think? Is $8,500 too much or is this Benz worthy of becoming your next $5,000-$10,000 vehicle purchase?
Derek Shiekhi's father raised him on cars. As a boy, Derek accompanied his dad as he bought classics such as post-WWII GM trucks and early Ford Mustang convertibles.
After loving cars for years and getting a bachelor's degree in Business Management, Derek decided to get an associate degree in journalism. His networking put him in contact with the editor of the Austin-American Statesman newspaper, who hired him to write freelance about automotive culture and events in Austin, Texas in 2013. One particular story led to him getting a certificate for learning the foundations of road racing.
While watching TV with his parents one fateful evening, he saw a commercial that changed his life. In it, Jeep touted the Wrangler as the Texas Auto Writers Association's "SUV of Texas." Derek knew he had to join the organization if he was going to advance as an automotive writer. He joined the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA) in 2014 and was fortunate to meet several nice people who connected him to the representatives of several automakers and the people who could give him access to press vehicles (the first one he ever got the keys to was a Lexus LX 570). He's now a regular at TAWA's two main events: the Texas Auto Roundup in the spring and the Texas Truck Rodeo in the fall.
Over the past several years, Derek has learned how to drive off-road in various four-wheel-drive SUVs (he even camped out for two nights in a Land Rover), and driven around various tracks in hot hatches, muscle cars, and exotics. Several of his pieces, including his article about the 2015 Ford F-150 being crowned TAWA's 2014 "Truck of Texas" and his review of the Alfa Romeo 4C Spider, have won awards in TAWA's annual Excellence in Craft Competition. Last year, his JK Forum profile of Wagonmaster, a business that restores Jeep Wagoneers, won prizes in TAWA’s signature writing contest and its pickup- and SUV-focused Texas Truck Invitational.
