SD Rust - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chetwesley · #1 04-27-2007, 12:31 PM

I have a question for SD owners... I am looking at an SD. It has some rust issues, but basically, I am looking for a car that can last me 5 years or so without any major issues. I live in Wisconsin (rust country) and I don't have the time to restore cars to the way they used to look, so that is not the issue for me.

The owner has been so nice as to take pictures of the rusty areas for me (he is a little too far to just "drive on over.") I am not all that familiar with the SD, only the TD, so things look a little different to me. Is the black part along the bottom ridge with the coating over it (underneath the doors, along the middle part of the body) a structural part of the car? On the TD it seems to be because the jack points come out of it, but on here, it looks like the metal there is actually thinner and part of the body. If anyone could clarify that point in general, I would appreciate it.

So could you take a look here and tell me if you see anything DANGEROUS

or anything that is going to become a major pain (like water spraying in through the floor, floor falling out, etc) within 5 years.

(edit: link removed out of respect for seller)

Again, I have come to the conclusion for myself that I am looking for a cheap mercedes diesel that rides well and is drivable for a few years, not neccessarily something pretty, so please keep that in mind.

JimZ · #2 04-27-2007, 12:55 PM

In the last photo you can see a frame rail between the rocker panel (with the jack hole) and the muffler below and behind it. Check all those frame rails. Rusted out rocker panels aren't a huge deal - just don't try to jack the car up. If those frame rails are rusted - and this one looks like it is - you may have trouble passing inspection. How much is he asking for it?

chetwesley · #3 04-27-2007, 01:07 PM

He is asking 1600. I don't know if I would pay that, but I also haven't seen it in person or driven it yet, and these are the "worst of the worst" pics, so who knows. I am probably going to see it tomorrow.

What about this pic? (7th from the bottom if looking at the above link):

(edit: link removed for seller's sake)

Is that a rusted through wheel well? (next to the letters UR in "Touring")

JimZ · #4 04-27-2007, 01:14 PM

Those may not be the worst of the worst. You gotta look underneath the car to see what could be the worst spots. See if you can locate an indy benz mechanic close to where the car is. Maybe the seller will take off the amount you spend to have it looked at if you end up buying it. The rust issues you can see in those pics in no big deal if you don't care what it looks like and are only looking to drive it for a few years. If it's messed up underneath, it won't be safe to drive for too long if at all.

vstech · #5 04-27-2007, 01:40 PM

very light wear on the leather seats! if the car runs and shifts well, 1600 sounds reasonable. I would want to know cold starting issues, especially in WI! and I agree, visual hands on inspection of the vehicle FRAME is very important to me. I have a total rustbucket SD, and it looks way better than that one.
John

chetwesley · #6 04-27-2007, 01:52 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. I'll bring some ramps and roll around under the car and take a look at the frame. He sent me another pic and I looked again and they show the floor pans from below, and they look good, still have the coating over them, so I think the frame will be the main thing to look at.

Which total rustbucket looks better? Yours or the ones in the pics?

This is not a "rustbucket" by Wisconsin standards. I see cars from the 2000s on the road with worse rust than this.

vstech · #7 04-27-2007, 02:19 PM

oh, no, my 83 SD in my sig is the rustbucket. frame gone hardly any good underbody metal left in the thing. but from the top, it looks pristine. no rust to speak of anywhere.
I got scammed into buying it... but it has a nice interior, and good body parts and things.
John