Year: | 1991 |
Make: | Mercedes Benz AMG |
Model: | AMG 300TE |
Mileage: | 118,400km / 73,570mi |
Transmission: | 4-speed automatic |
Fuel Type: | Gasoline |
Drivetrain: | RWD |
Engine: | 3,200cc straight six engine |
Exterior Color: | Black |
VIN Number: | WDB1240901F1**** |
Let me ask you a question: When you think “station wagon” (or “estate car” or “shooting brake,” or whatever you want to call it), what do you think of?
A big, bland, lumbering load hauler or people sled, right? Not a machine to make your blood hot or to light your afterburner, right? And certainly not a car that itself might have afterburners, or at least a very respectable 0-60 time, right?
Well, if that’s what you think, I’ve got to tell you that you’re obviously not getting out much these days. Gotta get some fresh air, mate. You’ve got to broaden your car horizons. I speak from experience. Growing up in Canada (too many) years back, I used to think that station wagons were about as un-cool as you could get. My Dad had one and dads are all un-cool, right? Sports cars and muscle cars were cool. Wagons were tubs.
Now, to be fair to my Dear Old Dad, he had just one wagon and it was during an un-cool period in his life. It was a horrid, saggy Dodge Aspen that rotted to death in our driveway. Other than the Aspen, every car my Dad has ever had has been a sports car (Miata, Karman Ghia, etc.) or a muscle car (his first Mustang, his second Mustang, and his third Mustang). All his cars were machines to light your tail and spark you up, and a “station wagon” like this Mercedes Benz AMG 300TE, would have got a clear thumbs up from him and a “Ja, das ist gut. Tolles Auto!” My response to this car, in my modern, slangy English, goes more like this:”Hot, mean metal, Man!”
And now this AMG station wagon (a left hand drive / LHD unit, by the way) is heading to the USA. On seeing this car come up at one of the Japanese used car auctions, our customer asked us to grab it right away.
When you work with us at Japan Car Direct you get auction access and can see in advance what cars are going to come up for sale at the auctions here in Japan. This gives you time to think and search out what is the ideal car for you to import for yourself, whether to the USA, as in the case of this AMG Benz, or to the UK, Canada, Australia, the EU, or other destinations. When the car comes up for auction, the actual bidding process is lightening quick (as you can see in our live auction video here), but by having an advanced look before the bidding via our auction access, you can take more time for yourself, we will translate the auction inspector’s report, and we can also arrange a second, independent inspection of your target vehicle (see here).
It’s a good system and you can find out more about it here.
Turning now to this car itself, this “station wagon.” Click on the photos above and you’ll find yourself looking at a very clean, well cared for, high spec, and low mileage car (118,393km / 73,565 miles on the odometer). Rich, yet sporty interior and serious load capacity is what you’re seeing on the inside, and the hard-ass AMG body kit, tinted windows, lowered suspension, and fat, road-grabber alloys is what you’re getting on the outside. You can growl down the highway in this guy, that’s for sure, and you’ll just scare the people out of your way on looks and cool factor alone! Under the bonnet you’ve got one of Mercendes Benz’s silky smooth and muscular straight six gasoline engines, the M103; in this case the 3.2 liter version. (The 103.983 to use Benz’s nomenclature.) These engines give good grunt but are not particularly highly stress units, with compression ratios under 10:1. They’ll last forever and Mercedes-Bens parts availability is excellent.
On a side note, a couple of years ago a buddy of mine here in Japan picked up a 1969 W108 S-Class with the 2.8L carb engine. He just found it at the local dealer and was told: “Old Benz is no problem for parts.” He’s done a bit of work on the car since and has, in fact, had no trouble sourcing parts. Good road!
This raises the question of buying a used car from a Japanese used car dealer: Does Japan Car Direct buy from used car dealers? Indeed we do. Especially when it comes to used European classic cars, everything from BMW Alpinas to Lancia Deltas, many fine, clean cars come up at the specialist dealers that we work with. Once in a while a shop may be a bit reluctant to sell a European classic if they know it is going to be shipped out of Japan, but in the end they will sell to another fan of classic cars when they know the car is going to a good home. Only once was I ever refused. There was this perfect, clean, low mileage Alpina that a collector in Germany had his eye on, it was a nice car, and I mean NICE, but the shop wouldn’t let it go. Sigh!
So, yes, we source good used European cars from both the Japanese used car auctions (as with our lovely and mean-machine-serious Mercedes-Benz AMG 300TE station wagon here) and from the Japanese used car dealers.
And this car is a perfect example of what is best to import from Japan to the USA and Australia (since 2019). Very simply, you want:
1) Just over 25 years old
2) Low mileage, but not too low (if it’s too low you’ve got to ask “why?”)
3) Solidly built vehicle
4) Clean and well cared for
These cars are the best value in used vehicles from Japan and they are the “keep cars.”
And so, after seeing this AMG, are station wagons stodgy to you now? Not to me anymore, and no doubt about that. In fact, powerful and mean looking station wagons joined my personal “cool classification” the day I test drove a used 1996 Subaru Impreza WRX STi (Verion III) wagon here in Japan. That car could do 0-60 in mid fours (a few power mods on him). I bought that car, and driving a “station wagon” (or “estate car” or “shooting brake,” or whatever you want to call it) became a whole new, and very cool, driving experience.
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I used Japan Car Direct's services to import a Nissan Silvia from Japan to Australia. Mike was very helpful from start to finish and definitely made the process stress free.
The... read moreI used Japan Car Direct's services to import a Nissan Silvia from Japan to Australia. Mike was very helpful from start to finish and definitely made the process stress free.
The detailed videos where Mike would translate and explain the Japanese auction sheets and inspections provided great clarification so I knew exactly what I was getting with my car. I have to also commend Mike's swiftness when it came to replying to emails and phone calls, he would always reply near on instantly and even outside of normal business hours just to ensure I was never left in the dark through the bidding and shipping preparation processes.
I could not recommend JCD enough for any potential self importers! read less
Just picked up my car that I bought through JCD. I was a complete newbie about buying a car overseas and Mathew was kind enough to basically hold my... read moreJust picked up my car that I bought through JCD. I was a complete newbie about buying a car overseas and Mathew was kind enough to basically hold my hand and help me through the process. It seems pretty daunting at first but if I can do it anybody can. Highly recommend JCD! read less
I worked with Mathew on getting my first Japanese Kei truck. The process and communication were great. For me the back-and-forth communication was the reason why I decided to go... read moreI worked with Mathew on getting my first Japanese Kei truck. The process and communication were great. For me the back-and-forth communication was the reason why I decided to go with japancardirect. Being able to see the auction trucks that are coming out and getting a detailed translation of the auction sheet is awesome. At first, I was a little hesitant sending money for a car overseas that I haven't actually seen in person, but Mathew stayed with me even at times when I was less patient. Thanks for all the help you and your team provide. read less
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Taylor at JCD has been incredibly helpful in my search for a couple of unique rigs from overseas -- We've scored one, and are looking forward to finding another.
Taylor's professinoalism,... read moreTaylor at JCD has been incredibly helpful in my search for a couple of unique rigs from overseas -- We've scored one, and are looking forward to finding another.
Taylor's professinoalism, promptness, clarity of communication has been amazing. He's helped answer a miultitude of questions, and everything went without incident (aside from impacts from Ukraine).f
Thank you, Taylor! read less
After seeing quite a few Kei Trucks on the road, I was intrigued. Seeing the local retail prices gave me sticker shock, so I immediately thought there has to be... read moreAfter seeing quite a few Kei Trucks on the road, I was intrigued. Seeing the local retail prices gave me sticker shock, so I immediately thought there has to be a better way. Sure enough, that way is Japan Car Direct. Yoshi and team are knowledgeable, professional and responsive. They do what they say they are going to do before, during and after the transaction, they are in it for the long haul. The result of reviewing the auction listings and acquiring/importing yourself (with help from JCD) is substantial savings and the satisfaction of paying a fair price. It's also fun if you enjoy searching for and identifying great automotive values. Would not hesitate to recommend their services to others and I will be back for more vehicles in the near future. read less
Can't fault these guys - this was the first time I've bought a car at any auction, let alone one in Japan. The support from Yoshiro was brilliant, very patient... read moreCan't fault these guys - this was the first time I've bought a car at any auction, let alone one in Japan. The support from Yoshiro was brilliant, very patient with me and ensured that I only bid on cars worth having. The car I have bought far exceeds expectations in every way and the whole process of purchase and shipping was all taken care of - top marks and thank you read less
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Japan Car Direct helped me find my dream car. We found a great deal on an ST205. Yoshiro was fantastic and super responsive and patient with all of my questions.... read moreJapan Car Direct helped me find my dream car. We found a great deal on an ST205. Yoshiro was fantastic and super responsive and patient with all of my questions. They made navigating the import process a breeze. This is a reputable company. I highly recommend them if you’re interested in importing your very own JDM. read less
So pleased with our companies new Japanese mini-truck import. Japan Car Direct made it all too easy. We made a few first-timer mistakes on the paperwork but the next import... read moreSo pleased with our companies new Japanese mini-truck import. Japan Car Direct made it all too easy. We made a few first-timer mistakes on the paperwork but the next import will be even smoother. Looking forward to the next experience. read less
MARKNADEN Studio
4/08/2022
Great dependable business! Highly recommended! Thank you Mathew for all your hard work!
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Yoshiro and the folks over at JapanCarDirect are the best! They were super helpful with my first time importing a vehicle to the US and were quick to answer all... read moreYoshiro and the folks over at JapanCarDirect are the best! They were super helpful with my first time importing a vehicle to the US and were quick to answer all of the first-time questions I had about the process. The vehicle I got was exactly as I expected based on the pre-bidding inspection that they organized and I am beyond thrilled with my new (to me) little van. I'll definitely be working with them again for the next vehicle I look to import read less
This was our first time importing a vehicle and we would hands down use Japan Car Direct again. Taylor made everything so simple and stress free. We would our Toyota... read moreThis was our first time importing a vehicle and we would hands down use Japan Car Direct again. Taylor made everything so simple and stress free. We would our Toyota Land Cruiser and would definitely use Japan Car Direct again. read less
First time importing a vehicle and Taylor did a great job guiding me the entire way! 5 star service! Excited about my new mini truck!
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Good experience throughout the entire process. They had the patience to help me find what I was looking for, when it arrived it was in great condition as I expected... read moreGood experience throughout the entire process. They had the patience to help me find what I was looking for, when it arrived it was in great condition as I expected it to be via the inspections and information provided. read less
First time customer review:
All around a great company to work with. Mathew was very responsive and helped me throughout the entire process. With this being the first time importing a... read moreFirst time customer review:
All around a great company to work with. Mathew was very responsive and helped me throughout the entire process. With this being the first time importing a vehicle, there were a lot of questions I had and he made sure to answer everything and kept me posted throughout the process. I would highly recommend Japan Car Direct and would happily work with them in the future. read less
My sales rep at JCD, Taylor, was amazing. He was quick to get me auction info, provided me good insights on possible price points, and was ready to answer any... read moreMy sales rep at JCD, Taylor, was amazing. He was quick to get me auction info, provided me good insights on possible price points, and was ready to answer any questions all the way through the process. The import was painless and the car is great. I will 100% use them again in the future! read less
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