1986 300sdl...300,000 miles $2500. Should I???? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Mr.Kenny · #1 10-19-2005, 11:20 AM

Hey all!
I'm looking at a 1986 300sdl with 300,000 miles; rebuilt tranny 12,000mi. ago.
The interior is in nasty filthy shape, but would clean up ok; the owner inherited this car and it was his personal trash can & ash tray. The sdl body is rust free and in ok shape. I think it would polish up nice. Dark silver & parchment interior.
The owner thinks this car is in beautiful shape and is perfect, gets 30mpg+ will run to 1,000,000 miles, God was the engineer, etc.... I think he is blind & insane. The owner is an old fashioned liar insurance salesman with southern metaphors falling off the tongue like 'starvin fleas off a dead dog'. (I was chokin on my grits just listenin to him.)

1.-Engine sure clatters loud at idle with the hood up but I don't know what they are supposed to sound like. (You cant talk normal over the noise.) When it started there was some blue smoke.

2.-Transmission leaks a little somewhere. Shifts very hard both upshifting and very hard downshifts. But he has the receipts for the rebuild form a mecedes mechanic. Burns rubber shifting to 2nd at full throttle. The owner added a quart of atf before he took me for a ride. Says he ALWAYS uses mercedes ATF whilst pouring in wal mart supertech. There were only a few drops on the ground where he parks it regularly.
Oh; when putting it into drive it wouldn't go into gear, so he puts it into 1st, it goes into gear then he moves the shifter to drive. ("gotta do that sometime")

The car ran smooth & quiet while underway and the turbo works, the car accelerates hard. You can't tell its a diesel except at idle.

3. A.C. does not work. Compressor doesn't kick on. Even though the owner says it works if you leave it on long enough.

The newspaper AD has run out and I guess no one around here wants a dirty Mercedes with 300,000 miles on the clock. What is fair price for a car like this? He is now flexible. He was asking $2500.

Michelin Tires are like new.

turbodiesel · #2 10-19-2005, 11:26 AM

Offer $1750 and walk. A/C could be a big expense. As a rule, if the car was not maintaned cosmetically, then it wasn't mechanically, either. He'll come to his senses.. make sure you leave him your phone number with your offer.

Brian Carlton · #3 10-19-2005, 11:32 AM

It appears that several items are in your favor with this vehicle.

1) The engine pulls strongly on the highway and appears to be in good condition. The noise at idle is typical when cold. When warm it should settle down to a sound that best approximates some small marbles rattling around. Not at all objectionable and definitely easy to speak over the engine noise. It could be as simple as having the injectors checked out, especially at this mileage.

2) The transmission, if rebuilt, takes another problem away. The hard shifts are vacuum issues and easily corrected. However, the fact that it doesn't go into gear when the shifter is moved to "D" is a bit of a concern. It could be a simple linkage issue, or it could be more complicated. This is the one item where it might be prudent to have a qualified indy take a look at it.

3) The body is rust free.

So, IMHO, it's definitely worth $2500.00. However, with the mileage, as shown, be fully prepared to invest another $2500.00 in parts for the first year dealing with deferred maintenance and repairs.

Also, the repair of the a/c can be as simple as $200. or as much as $1500. depending on how much needs to be replaced. Use this as a point of negotiation.

Hit Man X · #4 10-19-2005, 01:08 PM

Doesn't sound that if it simply needs a good bath, clay bar, polish, and wax as well as a vac job done... for the cosmetics. Heck most nearly 20 year old vehicles hardly have paint anymore.

A/C could simply be that Push Button Unit gone bum. That's a big can of worms... a strong driveline with a rust free body is more important to me but the AC is a plus. It's one of the larger PITA's to do, I'd budget a few days to do it.

Don't forget new shoes on it also helps too.

Anything out of place under the hood? Mine had the heater core bypassed with a hose

all it needed was the guts from a monovalve. Ran me $5 and about 30min to fix.

I'd look the cooling system over too, it's of the utmost importance for it to work properly on these vehicles. May want to consider a new radiator if the one in there is OE from '86, new aux fan switch, etc.

mike2005 · #5 10-19-2005, 01:34 PM

Maybe $1,500, as is, w/o further written guaranties.

Bought my 82 240D a few months ago w/ 95K original miles, garage kept, near perfect interior & exterior, no rust, 4-spd manual, pwr windows, sun roof, etc. Only known defect was inoperable cruise control. (A little over $4,000)

Had "like new" michelins, however, within 1,200 miles needed to replace tires due to belt separation on 2 tires (vehicle was stored too long sitting on tires in lieu of jackstands). Similiarly, I had to replace the water pump, due to long storage. Otherwise, other than minor vacuum leak & failing window relay, nothing else has arisen.

I would be every concerned about the tranny. If rebuilt 12 months ago, why hasn't the owner had leak, hard shifts, and gear engagement fixed under warranty? Could it be that the warranty has expired or only valid if returned by the recently deceased for corrective action? I would get written confirmation from tranny mechanic that warranty repairs will be made.

Or get reputable mechanic to inspect / diagnose problems (use estimated repair cost as negotiating tool

Pete Burton · #6 10-19-2005, 01:58 PM

It may start OK and run well even with pretty bad blowby - or the beginning of a cracked head that's masked with stopleak. If the interior is dirty but not worn out or torn, fine - best deal I ever got on a car was just like that. But buying a used car from someone you don't trust? IMHO, $1500 max WITHOUT a lot of blowby(remove the oil filler cap at idle). Start it cold (yourself) and feel for pressure in the system before you start it. If it's cold and pressurized - RUN! Otherwise, proceed slowly and caveat emptor!

POS · #7 10-19-2005, 02:46 PM

Sounds like the headaches are going to be expensive. If he used the car as an ashtray/pickup bed - then there's no way I'd want it.

sixto · #8 10-19-2005, 04:49 PM

How much money, time and effort do you want to invest?

How about other big ticket items like front suspension?

If he has to do strange things to engage the transmission then the rebuild isn't a plus.

Seems to me that if you're after a decent car this is no bargain. If it'll serve the purpose as is then it might be worth the price.

Sixto
87 300SDL

1983/300CD · #9 10-19-2005, 05:54 PM

Well heck, if it's got new tires...

That guy is devious and is trying to unload his problems on you.
There are others.

SD300 · #10 10-19-2005, 06:12 PM

Probably worth to take it to a INDY Mech and check her out.
Do the compression too.

Hatterasguy · #11 10-19-2005, 06:23 PM

The trans bothers me but it just may be over filled. Check the level after the car has been warmed up. Adding a quart is a lot! It must either have a wicked leak or the owner doesn't know what he is doing. Mine leaks pretty bad and I never have added a quart in one shot.

Hard shifting is probably just a vac leak.

It sounds like a tired car with a decent driveline. This car is a driver, if you want a driver it could be great for you. I'd offer no more then $1500 though.

$2,500 is a lot throw in another $1k-$2k and you can get a much better example.

BenzOnline · #12 10-19-2005, 06:32 PM

Dont touch it....had a family freind which bought an 80s S-class described above and it was never right....its like having another kid.

POS · #13 10-19-2005, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BenzOnline

...its like having another kid.

Damn - I just did that too!

Jarod · #14 10-19-2005, 08:53 PM

offer 1500 and hope he doesn't take it!! everyone buys these older mbs for a LOT more than i thought, my sd was... erhmm... under $300 BUT it was wrecked, and it has sat with a oil cooler that has a hole in it until i bought it and fixed, but I'm surprised 2500 WITH transmission leaking, mine doesn't leak, runs rough when cold... ok, mine does do that, but after it warms up, bam runs like a top, doesn't shift into gear right, ehhh mine doesn't do that either, I'd say keep on looking sir, don't get me wrong, it could be a easy fix, but it sounds like a headache on wheels to me!!

Mr.Kenny · #15 10-20-2005, 10:21 AM

Hey everyone; Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll not pursue this car any more. It may be good for a beater, or it may be a good car that needs just a few minor things. But i don't want to find out firsthand even though I can do my own wrenching.
I see diesel here in Springfield,Mo jumped from $3.19 yesterday to $3.89 today.

I am looking for a w123 300d or 240d; but there just isn't any available locally.