Quote:
Originally Posted by hanno
I'd need a lot more information as to the "mechanic read the mileage from the engine" claim. Bad alternator won't keep it from running long enough for a test drive. Will a cracked windshield pass safety test? Seller may not be completely honest so you need to check it out, learn what works, what doesn't, and which are important to you. If you do your own work, I'd go for it. I like the part about perfect body. Assuming that's true, its easy to do the mechanicals (I don't do body work, consider someone who does it well as a true artist). Alternative is if you have the "free" time and space, you could double your money by parting it out  . We were in the same situation...My daughter's first car is our recently acquired 93 300D. It has a few cosmetic issues but mechanically almost perfect. Reasonable purchase price plus new shocks, struts, pads, and rotors and it drives like new at 200K miles. Had to replace the oil pan also (whole other story), but I wouldn't hesitate to go cross country in it, or for her to depend on it. Look, learn, offer $500 cash if towed to your garage and see what happens . |
Thanks, I share your thoughts. He said his mechanic said there was a way to read the mileage from the engine, which I found rather mystifying!?! Is there a CPU there that registers mileage? It has about 180,000 miles. Like you, I don't do body, and can fix some mechanicals, so that's why I thought picking this up for a few hundred could produce a running and road-worthy car next year. My trusty 82 240D is in the garage for the winter, so this thing would have to sit outdoors in the driveway until I could get at it in the Spring. He says he spent $2500 since acquiring it a year ago from a family friend who owned it for many years (it originated in California apparently, though odometer is in kms). He's eager to get rid of it because he's moving out of his apt this weekend. A couple of mechanics have shown interest but probably offered him next to nothing. I may go look at it and see if I can boost-start it and take it for a spin, make sure the tranny works etc. Then who knows, make an offer and get it towed for free to my driveway... Cheers.