Just bought a TD, now what?
 

Hi,

Fortune has smiled upon me, and I'm now the owner of an '84 300TD. Or rather, I will be very soon. I'm in Missouri, the car is in Texas, and I've sent a deposit. Next weekend I take a train down to pick it up and bring it home. It is a very nice example, excellently maintained (the PO is a tech at an MB dealership), and the worst thing that can be said about it is that the paint is a little tired looking (totally forgivable), even the A/C (134 converted) and CC work! Its got 240k on the clock, and in the last 30k its had a transmission rebuild, a new hydraulic pump, new timing chain and tensioner, and scads of other general work. It even has CLK wheels and tires and a CLK stereo and battery installed.

However, the car isn't what I'm worried about, its this whole 'getting a car from far away' business. I've never bought a car before (my previous transportation has always been motorcycles and scooters), and certainly not from any great distance.

Here is what I'm wondering... For the drive home, the car won't be registered to me, and I won't have insurance specifically for it (though I currently carry Progressive liability insurance on my motorcycle, if that counts for anything). I'm not even sure if it will have plates, since its possible that the PO will be transferring them to another car... Should I find out for sure if he is doing that? And if so, what should I do (besides drive the speed limit and act inconspicuous ;) )?

Second, what is a good set of basic tools to bring in case of trouble on the way home? The PO is tossing in a full set of fluids, so thats handy, and it has a good spare and lug wrench, but if you could choose a small bag of basic tools to bring, what would they be?

Any more advice for a first time long distance car buyer? I've talked with the owner a lot, and gotten a very good feeling about the sale, as well as having seen lots of pictures. However, I'm leaving myself a good 'out' so I can turn him down if I need to, and just catch the train back. Anyway, the car seems fine, and I'll be putting it up on the lift at the dealership to take a look around myself before bringing it home. Its just all the details of buying and registering an out-of-state car that I'm not very familiar with. I just know that a lot of people have bought a LOT of MBs (hope I don't become one of you... ;) ), and thought you might be able to offer some advice for a new purchaser with a long drive ahead of him.

Thanks!
Sam

First take a copy of your paperwork to your insurance agent. He should make sure you have coverage on the way home. You can also start the registration process with the DMV. Well you're there and I'm here, so maybe you can't but in Khahleefourkneeha you can. Sorry if the spelling is off we have a new official pronounciation that I'm having a hard time getting used to.

Anyway make sure you have metric allen wrenches. The other stuff, a regular set of 6 point metric sockets and end wrenches, pliers, hammer and screwdrivers are easy to pick up if you need them. Take then if you have them, but the allen wrenches especially 10mm and up may be harder to find at Wally Mart. Bailing wire duct tape and other basic routine needs are assumend. Just grab the tool kit off your bike and add the allen wrenches.

I have heard that Mercedes wagons have particularly bad luck in Missouri, something to do with curvature of the earth and the magnetic lines of force. If you decide not to take a chance I have been looking for a wagon.

Your insurance agent and the local DMV or auto club should be able to help with the more serious questions. The answers may vary from state to state. In fact if you are not an AAA member, you might think about it. I'm sure you will be fine, but it couldn't hurt.

Big metric allen wrenches, check!

Sometimes I'm glad that the only vehicles I work on are a Subaru (Japanese), my Aprilia (Italian, mmm), and my bicycle (Japanese drivetrain). I don't have an SAE wrench in the house! God help me if I ever decide to buy an American vehicle. :P

I suppose actually talking to my insurance agent would help. I just have this irrational fear that if I speak with an insurance agent I'll somehow get screwed by him. I don't even want to look them in the eyes. But he's my agent, he's on my side (for now, at least), so I'll just steel myself, raise my head high, and walk in there.

Likewise with the DMV...

Thanks for the input. I'm going to bring my biggest electromagnet with me to make sure it stays steady here in Missouri, I'm hoping to keep this one around for a while. ;)

peace,
Sam

Sam,
Congratulations on your purchase. Having driven one home from a distance prior to reading the suggestions posted here on the forum, I can understand your concern.

If I remember correctly, some items you may want to secure before making the trip should include proper fluids, i.e. MB anti-freeze, correct oil, belts, fuses, etc. Having a set of jumper cables always struck me as a handy thing to have. Make certain the vehicle has a properly inflated and balanced spare, and the jack/lug wrench are with the car. Since the seller is a tech, good communication with him/her should help if you layout your concerns over the drive. The one I drove home was checked by the seller prior to me making the flight down.

Insurance typically is handled via a binder to allow you to make the trip. Since you will have the specs for registering the vehicle you will have everything the insurance carrier will need.

Registration . . . can't you get a temp plate from your state? I have never had any fear calling NH DMV and asking them questions. They work for you not the other way around.

Good luck and keep us posted.

In Texas the plates belong to the car, not the individual. So they will probably go with the car.

Dave

Diesel Wagon
 

You should take the long way home. Take I-20 east to South Carolina, sell me the wagon. We have a great Amtrak station here and I would gladly drive you in my, I mean your new wagon. ;)

Test the windshield wipers before you drive off. Don't ask me how I know (usual DIY mantra).
Just give your insurance agent the VIN number and he will give you a temp. insurance card for the car. That will show anyone in authority that you indeed do have insurance for your purchase and are a stand-up type driver.
I flew out to OKC in the spring and drove home my new '86 SDL to Ky. Great drive, but I was in a hurry and had to do a lot of the driving at night. Only about 1000 miles, not too bad.
That wagon will be a wonderfull car. You are lucky. I am envious.

Where in Texas are you going? I made the drive last summer to KC, KC, and it is a nice straight shot. Single vehicle/individual Triple A memberships aren't that much, and it would make it nice to just have one 800 number to call, and not have to look up local tow companies. Your hope is you buy it and don't ever need it. Be sure and have money for those rediculous toll roads.
Jimmy L

I would repeat the advice to speak to your DMV agents, my local offices have always been very helpful. Likewise my insurance agent (Farmers) has always been incredibly helpful, but then I do insure 5 vehicles with them :o

Here in WA you can buy a 3 day trip permit for about $23 that will allow you to drive the vehicle, no idea what that would do for you out of state, but at least it would show willing if you were stopped. They also offer a 2 day emissions permit for $3.50, which I bought when my out of state car arrived. Coming from PA mine had no plates and I had to get it emissions tested before I could register it.

Providing the cooling system is working properly you should be fine. Aside from really fundamental mechanical things, like oil, fuel and water pumps, there's very little to go wrong with one of these that will leave you stranded at the side of the road. If the charging system doesn't charge you won't have lights and won't be able to start it, but it will keep running regardless. If every vacuum pipe leaks you'll have to shut the engine off using the lever on the valve cover, and the doors won't centrally lock, but it will keep on running.

If you were strong enough to swing a starting handle on a Mercedes diesel you'd be unstoppable :)

Kevin

A bit OT, sorta...
 

Is the MO Highway Patrol still driving around with drug-sniffing dogs in the back seat? I drove a 300cd home from Calif a few years back and they pulled me over (doing 75 in a 70) to search for contraband. They seem to focus on out-of-state cars...I saw several others stopped with trunks open as I hurried up I-44.

You might want to give your prize a good vacuuming in the nooks and crannies before you embark on the trip home ...especially if you keep the Texas plates.

Russ M

The dealer should be able to give you temp plates, my friend bought his E300D up from NJ and the dealer gave him a set of temp plates. Also get insurance what happens if you get into and accident?

Anyways it sounds like a nice car I always like to have two things on me a cell phone and AAA towing policy! :D But a set of wrenches is a must 10mm is popular. Also a set of sockets and allen wrenches. Don't forget duct tape! :D

And don't forget, all Mercedes are covered by Mercedes Roadside assistance (someone else will have to provide the number), for life. So if you run into a bind, you can call them and they send a tech out. Better, I think, than taking it to a shop that knows nothing if you get into trouble.

Courtesy WannaWagon:
That service is described here:

http://www.mbusa.com/brand/containe..._assistance.jsp

It specifically states that it's available no matter how old the car or how many owners it's had. Just remember 1-800-FOR-MERCEDES. Cool!


1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 295530
1983 300D 243280
1985 300TD 217300
1987 300D 258230

Highway Patrol in MO
 

I am a Missourian, but of course, no one knew that when I went back to the KC area from Miami, with FL tags on my 90 sedan to visit my sister. I had no problems with the police, but then I travelled mostly on local and state highways, since interstates aren't much fun and the scenery is boring. I took highways 61 and 63 to US 60 and MO 7, 13 and 291. On the way home I drew a line on the official state highway map from Independence to Carruthersvile and took a whole mess of state highways and county roads home from NW to SE across the state to way down in the "boot heel".

I passed a couple of unmarked Tennessee Smokies who had pulled some hapless motorist over, and one of them pulled ME over for not getting into the center lane, because some state law said I had to to protect the State Troopers. I was a good 30 feet away from him, and I pointed out that there was no way that I was aware that the two unmarked white sedans were police cars anyway, so he gave me a warning. This was just W of Nashvillle.

By the way, there is a pretty neat car museum in Nashville, the Lane Auto Museum. They have THREE Tatras and a collection of minicars, but not too many Benzes.

Pooler, GA has just started enforcing a lane change law nearby. A $500 fine if you fail to move over a lane when approaching a stoped emergency vehicle. Apparently, this is a states law that was passed last year and most cities just don't enforce it. But if you know Pooler, then you'd understand that this is more about making money than protecting their police.


BTW, bought a 300CD in Maryland and drove it home to Savannah. I got pulled over twice (once in VA and once in NC) for no tag. Showed proof of insurance and proof of purchase and was on my way.