I've read really good things about the 300SD reliability. I'm looking to spend less than $5K (really prefer $4K) on a decent 300SD. I've been searching eBay and there is way too much to look at. Not to mention I want to be somewhat close to the car so I can look at in person (I'm in eastern NC). I want a semi-daily driver (switch off between the Benz and my trusty '65 VW microbus). I work on my wife's 94 Camry and my VW so I'm confident I can handle any work on a Benz (minus an engine pull). So is the 300SD for me or should I look at other models (300D, etc)? What should I expect to get for my budget?

Thanks,

Matt

these 123 and 126 benzes are fairlly easy to work on and very high quality. if you spend some time looking you should be able to find a nice one for around the 5k price. imho.

i think you will find they need less work than your microbus and a little more than the toyota.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

They are simpler to work on then the Toyota. I like the old 617's they sound like a John Deer. Keep the rust out of them and the maintaince up and they are great cars to drive.

Since ebay seems to be full of scams these days I wouldn't buy a car off it without looking at it in person first.

Do a search on this site pretty much everything from rust to blowby has been covered.

Maintaince and condition is extremly important, paying more for a better car is money well spent. Get a PPI done also before you buy.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

If you are willing to wait keep an eye on Ebay, the local paper, the Autotrader, etc. Look at and drive as many as you can just to get a feel for them. Ebay is fine if you are willing to wade through the crap and get a guarantee from the seller, in writing, as to the condition of the car. Don't forget to post here on the For Sale section too. This method takes a while but you will look at many and end up with the deal you want. It took me 2 years but I have what I wanted. Finding a decent SD for $4K shouldn't be too difficult. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I found my car on ebay (83sd). Am happy with it now but had to do a lot of tinkering with it. A/c tach and cruse didn't work, transmission was a mess (k-1 kit and adjustments. Ok now)
The previous owner only did preventive maintance to it (oil changes).

Anyway..I found it by limiting my ebay search to 200 miles from home than driving to see it on the weekend. ended up buying it before the aution was over. The key is to go see the car for yourself. Even then it's a gamble.
Remember...buyer beware.

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83 300sd
3 Fords

Many are here in Texas...

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

What do you guys think of this?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4558797213

The ad is a little vague on rust so I woudl check that out. Any other things?

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1965 VW Deluxe Microbus

The problem with this vehicle is the mileage. You have a vehicle with rust and body damage that will probably be bid up fairly well due to the stated mileage.

It might be worth looking at if you are nearby, but, there are better examples with more mileage on them, that will probably sell for less money.

The odometer rules in these vehicles because most of the buyers never get a chance to kick the tires.

Unfortunately I think most of the vehicles close to me are going to have some rust issues (unless they were imorted from other parts of the country). This one has caught my eye:

http://raleigh.craigslist.org/car/80322447.html

He wants $1500 for it. All I know about it (in addition to the info in the ad) is it has 300,256 miles on it.

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1965 VW Deluxe Microbus

I started looking at 300D now. Any comments on this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4561026332

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1965 VW Deluxe Microbus

328K miles.

While there are many members who will tell you that this mileage is nothing for a diesel, consider the fact that very few of these engines go much more than 400K without some work. Not impossible, but rare.

Also, with this mileage, you would want to see some maintenance and repairs on the front end. Anything up there that is original has to go.

I'm a bit gun shy of vehicles with this mileage level. Plenty of examples with better paint in the 175K to 200K range. That's a whole lot less than 328K.

Good catch. I totally missed the mileage


So what would be a good amount for a 300D, all maintenance records, silver /black (been repainted, don't know about the documentation for that), interior is in good condition, no rust, cold A/C, smooth transmission? Only problem I saw was the door window rubber needed to be replaced. I don't know about the condition of the suspension either.

It's at a somewhat local used foreign car dealer for $4900. Which I know is too high.

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1965 VW Deluxe Microbus

Well, you don't state the mileage, so, the prices can vary across the board.

But, if a mileage of 150K is assumed, with the condition as stated, the vehicle should sell for about $3500. If the paint job is pristine and the interior is also excellent and some repairs can be documented (front end work, tires, a/c work, radiator, brake booster, battery, glow plugs, brake calipers, etc.) then it's value is now increased up to the $4500-$5000 range.

There are members on here that have paid significantly less than the figures that I quoted you. However, they probably took some additional risk on repairs and they probably had a few things to fix.

These vehicles sell based upon the mileage and the condition. On e-bay, the seller usually attempts to deceive the potential bidders by failing to photograph the vehicle in a manner where a proper judgment can be made about the condition. The vehicles that command the highest prices on e-bay are photographed from three feet away. Their condition is pristine and the final price reflects this.

I'd also worry about a car that had very very low mileage, like a 20 year old car with under 100,000. Chances are it sat for a long time or was only driven on short trips.

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1982 300SD

Man, I forgot the mileage again! That 300D has just under 160K so your estimate are right on.

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1965 VW Deluxe Microbus