Great thread for those of us in the market. Thanks!

This looks like a great 300SD with low miles - of course pictures can be decieving.
http://seattle.craigslist.org/car/107956390.html
I'm going to check this one out this week. But, it still seems to me that $8900 is a little much for a 20+ year old car.

I took this '84 300SD for a test drive over the weekend. http://seattle.craigslist.org/car/106392212.html Described as "almost perfect condition." Hardly. Faded paint, interior was pretty worn (to the point of being grungy), dash was cracking, the tranny was really jumpy, and acceleration was very anemic (even for a diesel). By the way, the lady selling the vehicle was very nice and she definately was not trying to pull a fast one - she just got in too deep and is trying to rescue some sunk costs.

Now this '85 300D looks like it might be a good deal. At least it seems reasonably priced. http://seattle.craigslist.org/car/108632649.html. Don't know how many miles though.

They all look interesting.
I suppose more and larger photos are usually available on request?

I will add that the '84 is $5000, with 228K miles and looks great.
Shows that those small pics can be very deceiving.

The '85 is $4200.


Good luck in your search!

__________________
'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

Cheap parts car on the Miami Craigslist

'80 240D $250

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'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

'84 300D $1600

__________________
'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

90 minutes left and $7K bid ( from Germany! ) has not reached reserve price.
(no further bids occured)

'83 300SD
92K miles

__________________
'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

Also closing soon:

'76 300D $1100 ( sold for $2800 )
mileage unknown

__________________
'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

FYI all 1987 MB's had that sticker. All it means is the airbag expired in 1997, but MB extended that for 15 years so it really was 2002. Also SDL's don't have the "turbodiesel" badge on the right side, they have a "turbo" badge.

Trunk should read:
300SDL Turbo

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thanks, Hatterasguy.
(As in "Cape Hatterras?" Heaven on Earth, IMO.)
So, I have an expired SRS? I'll accept that in lieu of hidden collision damage.

"Turbo." I knew that.
"How not to buy a Mercedes Benz" should include, "And make sure there are no manuals or service records included."
Feller who sold me the car told me, "We've sold a LOT of Mercedes, and they all have that lettering on the right side."
I knew better, but couldn't walk away.

__________________
Mike J
Cary, NC

1987 300SDL
203,400 miles
How NOT to buy a MB Diesel:
Know little or nothing about diesels or Mercedes Benz.
Get the WVO fever.
Drive 70 miles to a used car lot in the country.
Buy the car without having it inspected, because it seems like a good idea at the time....
I'll be back. I'm gonna need help.
I love this car already!


1998 F-150 154,000 miles

1994 Geo Tracker 75,000 Miles

Some small leaks, A/C issues and a cracked dash:

'75 300D $2100
100K miles - 1 day left on auction

__________________
'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

I just bought my 1987 300SDL, with 142,000 miles and service records to 120K, at DNL Automotive in Marlboro, NY, for $9,000. This is a very nice car, clean inside and out, runs well and is currently at the local (M-B of White Plains) getting the trap oxidizer service campaign service. HatterasGuy has seen this car, and seemed to like it

My experience with DNL Automotive was very favorable, and he currently has 4 more diesel Benz's listed on AutoTrader:

1995 E300D Special Edition with 180K for $11,000;

1991 300D with 152K for $10,500;

1983 300SD with 108K for $10,000;

1983 240D with 200K for $7,000 (Edited: had mistakenly put $9,000 for this one).

These cars can be seen at:

http://www.autotrader.com/dealers/ida/inventory_frame.jsp?dealer_id=55633078&result_car_id=191244406&mis=IADABDMGDA312&car_id=191244406

The owner's name is Steve, and he can be reached at:

1-877-480-8748

This guy runs a carfax on all his cars and provides it to the buyer, along with any service records he has. He also sends them to a local shop for a thorough going over prior to putting them on his lot.

__________________
Mahalo and Aloha,
S. L. "Red" Pike, Naval Architect/Marine Engineer, USCG Licensed Chief Engineer (Steam, Motor, and Gas Turbine)
Former nuc bubblehead (boomers)
"Sustained superior performance through continuous incremental improvement."

1987 300SDL White w/ Gray Leather interior, 160K (mine)
2009 Nissan Murano (leased - wife's)

Yeah that was a nice example! How is the trap ox coming? Hopefully you get a lot of free parts, maybe a nice new turbo out of it!

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

'91 350SDL $10K
100K miles

4 hours to go - 46 bids!

Seems that there are people with no qualms about the 350?
The seller makes no mention of any 'fixes'.
He does say this;
"This vehicle is equipped with the very dependable and fuel efficient 3.5L inline 6 cylinder turbo diesel engine.
This engine not only ensures longevity..."

Are the bidders people who have not done their research,
or people who are confident that they can overcome any engine problems?

__________________
'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

'85 300D $3700
200K miles

5 hours left - reserve not met

Clean

__________________
'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

good body, ac not work, slipping tranny, non funct. sunroof, not any significant blowby but very doggy.

so how much should i offer him?

tom w

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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.

With 3600 posts, I'm sure you know better than I.

Sounds like a $1000 car to the untrained observer.

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'87 300SDL

dieselbenz