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  #16  
Old 06-15-2005, 10:58 AM
Dance'w'Diesels's Avatar
1984 300D
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Schenectady, NY
Posts: 157
I don't think it would be an over statement to say Ebay is a big bag of mixed blessings. For the most parts especially smaller items I've done well shopping Ebay. However when it comes to buying cars online it's either lose big or break even but almost never a big win. I am not willing to bet my hard earned thousands to win the exception I did buy a few cars off Ebay but they were never good buys. My best buy currently my 300D found in the local papers.

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1984 300D MB "Klara"
1996 4Runner SR5 "Toy"
1997 Impreza Outback "Subie"
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  #17  
Old 06-15-2005, 11:40 AM
Registered Diesel Burner
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 2,911
I have purchased four vehicles on EBay so far. My inventory is probably good enough now that I won't be buying anything else any time soon.

Two were local, and two were long train trips to Atlanta and Birmingham.

[Edit: Correction, five EBay vehicles. Three local. ]

In all four [five] cases I looked at the cars and rode in them before handing over the check. I phrased this as "verifying the VIN is correct with the title, and verifying the car is as advertised." Honest sellers will have no problem with this.

I avoid any ad that requests a deposit, unless the seller will waive the deposit for me. Deposits are what dishonest sellers want to help lock you in. The higher the deposit request the more likely the dishonesty.

Just my opinion.

Ken300D
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1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Last edited by Ken300D; 06-15-2005 at 08:08 PM.
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  #18  
Old 06-15-2005, 01:00 PM
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Location: Reno/Sparks, NV
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I've bought 4 cars on Ebay and I think I too am done with Ebay. My best Ebay purchase has been my 83 240D from an Arizona dealer. It needed some parts, but nothing that I couldn't replace myself. My recent Ebay purchase is my 96 E300D. The seller earned my trust with his feedback, detailed answers to my questions and the fact that he too is a member on this board. Unfortunately, there were too many issues with this car that were not disclosed to me even though I explicitly asked about some of them:

- totally rusted spring perches, one being half-broken already
- small cracks in the dashboard
- dysfunctional AC (now fixed, needed recharge)
- nailing at certain RPM (now mostly subdued with an overdose of PowerService)
- bad belt shock (now fixed)
- faulty ignition switch which triggers beeping anytime the driver's door is open
- occasional vibration in the steering wheel on the highway
- water pump pulley is starting to act up on me now

I tried to stay away from Ebay but I was in the market for a W210 diesel and those are hard to find. I found a few in California and went to see them but they were no good except one which was way overpriced. Anyway my main concern right now is the perches and if those can be fixed properly I think I will like this car.
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Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL
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  #19  
Old 06-15-2005, 01:57 PM
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Thanks for all of your thoughtful replies. I will keep you updated on the progress of an 'adjustment'.
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  #20  
Old 06-15-2005, 03:03 PM
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I like your signiture. That's the spirit! Remember it's not the car's fault that it has problems, it's the previous owner. Your mission is to rescue that car and nurse it back to health. I have the same mission and that's what keeps my spirits up.
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Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL
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  #21  
Old 06-15-2005, 04:03 PM
Fuzzball's Avatar
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Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Central Texas
Posts: 716
So, it's been a month since you closed the sale and you have not yet left the slug any feedback.

What are you going to do there?

He's already at 92%, you give him bad and he drops under 90. Maybe he makes a cash deal to withdraw the feedback?
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1984 W126 300SD (356,800 miles) Gone to the wrenchapart
1984 W123 300D Gone to the wrenchapart
1972 W108 280SE 3.5 (sold but not forgotten)
1986 Buick Grand National 3.8l Turbo (86k miles)
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  #22  
Old 06-16-2005, 07:35 PM
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I sent him a letter registered mail listing my complaints and demanding some cash back. I threatened to give him bad feedback, but also to take him to small claims court.
Furthermore, I suspect that the person who bid me up to my final price from around $2500 might have been a shill bidder. If he doesn't pay me some money, I'll report him to Ebay for shill bidding as well.
In the meantime, I just discovered (or at least am pretty sure) that the ac doesn't work as well. Special!
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  #23  
Old 06-16-2005, 07:37 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselAddict
I like your signiture. That's the spirit! Remember it's not the car's fault that it has problems, it's the previous owner. Your mission is to rescue that car and nurse it back to health. I have the same mission and that's what keeps my spirits up.
Absolutely right! I love this car and I'm committed to getting it back to near perfection (well, near 'serviceability' at any rate). It is now in a home that will love and pamper it with only the finest fluids, filters, glowplugs, etc.
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  #24  
Old 06-16-2005, 09:44 PM
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Location: Central Texas
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Hey Stockdad...the city you bought that in is my hometown...I know a few guys....you want I should send them around to suggest he take care of you?????
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1998 W202 C230 - The money pit of late.
1984 W126 300SD (356,800 miles) Gone to the wrenchapart
1984 W123 300D Gone to the wrenchapart
1972 W108 280SE 3.5 (sold but not forgotten)
1986 Buick Grand National 3.8l Turbo (86k miles)
1966 Glassic Model 'A' Replica http://www.glassicannex.org

http://banners.wunderground.com/weat...Round_Rock.gif
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  #25  
Old 06-16-2005, 10:24 PM
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I might just have to fawkin take you up on dat, fuzzball!!!
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  #26  
Old 06-18-2005, 11:20 AM
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I have never bought anything off of ebay so i am lucky there. But i have in fact bought of craigs list. When i found my SD's ad i called asked if we could come take a look. So i called up a few people we went, drove it, compression tested, paid the nice lady (total MILF hehehe) and left. The car has been running well for me thus far, the interior was pretty clean and it did well on the compression test. Only problem is there is quite a bit of scratches and a couple dents. Picked it up for $1500 haven't looked back
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84' 300D Euro spec (Veronika)
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  #27  
Old 06-18-2005, 11:48 AM
BusyBenz
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I hate to tell you, but cars like this one sell all day long in car advertisers around the country from private parties for $500 to $800. I see several every week! And probably in better condition too!

The trouble with Ebay purchases, you cannot tell who's honest, or dishonest much of the time.

This guy is your typical scum-bag crook and will strike again!
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  #28  
Old 06-18-2005, 03:22 PM
Ike Ike is offline
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Location: Goldsboro, North Carolina
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I have bid on a few cars on E-Bay, not never won the auction. I was always a little leery about a purchase that big without inspecting it. I ended up buying my '84 300D locally for 2,500. I probably could have paid less on E-Bay, but then again, you never really know what you're bidding on until you see it. Anyway, I hope things work out for you. I love my car, I just have to figure out how to work on a diesel. I'm sure I'll have plenty of opportunities in the years to come.
Andy
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  #29  
Old 06-18-2005, 05:00 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Redwood City, CA
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Wahhll...I can't blame you too much because the body does look tight in those pictures. Oh man, e-bay -- let the buyer beware. I have had mostly good experiences but I've never gone for the big stuff.

With that body, I'd say $2500 would have been a fairer price but at least you have something to work with.
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  #30  
Old 06-18-2005, 06:02 PM
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Location: Issaquah, WA
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Yeah, the body is virtually rust-free. The interior is damn near immaculate. It actually runs quite good and the brakes seem to be in excellent shape. I have a huge list of things I need to do and I'll get through them all.
In fact, just today, I discovered that the tube leading away from the window washer motor was stuck underneath the reservoir, so I pulled it free and it works just fine.
The AC is another story: when I put the automatic climate control on the coldest setting and turn the fans to the strongest blow, the car seems to bog down a bit, as if the compressor has kicked on, but the air doesn't seem to get that much more cold. Of course, it hasn't gotten particularly warm in the Pacific Northwest since I bought it. I'm really hoping it just needs a recharge. Anyone know how I can conclusively tell if the compressor is working?

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