Poor batting average in finding an SDL - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

MikeTangas · #1 11-19-2005, 07:05 PM

Kinda irritating.

Had the foreign dude that flaked out on me, probably cause I knew a little something about the marque. He decided to go to his home country early.

Had found an 87 in Missouri, 145K miles for $2,900 (moving...uhm you guessed it...out of country). Inquired here if anyone was close by to check it out for me. Did get one PM from a newbie. Sent him the particulars and never heard back, but the car sold the following day

, and the person hasn't been back on the forum since.

Found anothern in Michigan's UP, about 150 miles from where I'm staying for the next couple months. The seller isn't returning my calls

. I figure that since the temps are down and snow has been falling (been snowing since the day after I got here, until yesterday...warmed up above freezing today) it would be a time to see how well it cold starts. If I would only get a call back.

Jeez, this can be a little frustrating at times.

Eskimo · #2 11-19-2005, 09:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeTangas

Kinda irritating.

Had the foreign dude that flaked out on me, probably cause I knew a little something about the marque. He decided to go to his home country early.

Had found an 87 in Missouri, 145K miles for $2,900 (moving...uhm you guessed it...out of country). Inquired here if anyone was close by to check it out for me. Did get one PM from a newbie. Sent him the particulars and never heard back, but the car sold the following day

, and the person hasn't been back on the forum since.

Found anothern in Michigan's UP, about 150 miles from where I'm staying for the next couple months. The seller isn't returning my calls

. I figure that since the temps are down and snow has been falling (been snowing since the day after I got here, until yesterday...warmed up above freezing today) it would be a time to see how well it cold starts. If I would only get a call back.

Jeez, this can be a little frustrating at times.

It can really be a tough gig. My criteria were broader (early '80s 300D or 300SD, solid but not necessarily pristine), and it still took way longer than I expected to turn up something suitable within a few hundred miles of my location. I feel your pain!

It takes some effort to cull through what turns up in the ads, a lot of which is junk. When a really fine deal does turn up, it's often gone quickly - so quickly that you'll miss out on it unless it's really local to you, and then only if you're following the ads closely.

One thing you might consider (if you haven't) is putting "want to buy" ads in local papers. Sometimes that can turn up a car that isn't currently "up for sale", but that the owner might be willing (even eager) to sell. Discussion of the vehicle, viewing, inspection, etc. can be a low-pressure affair then, too, because there aren't ten other guys ringing his phone off the hook responding to an ad in the paper.

I took this approach years ago when shopping for a motorcycle, and it worked out great - sweet success after much frustration chasing the "for sale" ads.

engatwork · #3 11-19-2005, 10:06 PM

Quote:

Did get one PM from a newbie. Sent him the particulars and never heard back, but the car sold the following day , and the person hasn't been back on the forum since.

Sounds like the newbie is probably driving a SDL nowadays

. Ain't that a heckuva note.

That's a good one isn't it eskimo

.

Eskimo · #4 11-19-2005, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

Sounds like the newbie is probably driving a SDL nowadays

. Ain't that a heckuva note.

That's a good one isn't it eskimo

.

Oh, that would hurt!

mdmsp1 · #5 11-19-2005, 10:58 PM

This may be too high $. This dealer usually is, and doesn't move much on price. It is a CA car now in SC. 130K mi. It's at the specialty shop where I have mine maintained. Looks pretty nice. I saw no rust at all.Other than that, I know nothing about it.

http://guntermercedes.com/Inventory/ViewInventory.aspx?ID=79

Ra_ · #6 11-19-2005, 11:23 PM

Maybe a real prize is right around the bend?

If you had gotten one of these cars, you wouldn't be 'available' when she appears.

I often find that things which I at first viewed as curses,
turn out to be blessings.

Good luck!

TheDon · #7 11-20-2005, 12:02 AM

ever since i started the biodiesel thing 5 months ago i was looking for a nice 300D and i found one just recently and bought it.. things take time . now with the exception the door locks and other small stupid things shes perfect.. i never thought id find a diesel in florida but i did

d.delano · #8 11-20-2005, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDon

i never thought id find a diesel in florida but i did

Dude check eBay- they're all over Florida!

TheDon · #9 11-20-2005, 12:21 AM

i cant afford the over inflated amounts on ebay let alone pay shipping.. but im happy i have my 300D

Hatterasguy · #10 11-20-2005, 01:05 PM

Finding good newer MB's is a royal pain! Let alone finding a relatively rare 19 year old car that is in good condition. I just helped me friend buy a W140 and we looked at a dozen of them in person and many more over the net. 95% are junk and are dismissed right off. Of the other 5%, 4% are nice cars but the owners think they are worth way more then they are.

Just take your time and don't be in a rush. The right one will come along.

MikeTangas · #11 11-20-2005, 05:09 PM

Not in a hurry, just a little frustrated...most likely after the fiasco of trying to find a 'Shop member close by a fire sale to check one out. I coulda swore OldNavy lived pretty close by, but since he sold the 240 he doesn't stop by the 'Shop too often. Oh well, live and learn.

I figure I'll here from this latest seller before too long..don't imagine diesel cars sell too well in the land of -30*F (and it'll be dipping that low soon enough).

Hatterasguy · #12 11-21-2005, 04:26 PM

Check for rust if you are buying local. Don't waste your efforts on a rust bucket. What about that nice gold 300SDL in Oregan? I few people posted the link to the ebay add on this site.

Ra_ · #13 11-21-2005, 04:30 PM

It sold for about $10K

I'm gonna sell mine for $10K
Beautiful, inside and out.

MikeTangas · #14 12-03-2005, 11:28 AM

I finally heard back from the seller. He had to go out of State for a funeral so I can cut him some slack on his reply time.

He claims to be the 3rd owner, car originally purchased in Wisconsin. Had a new tranny installed 60K miles ago at the Benz dealer in Traverse City. Claims it starts good, without using the block heater, down to 10*F, once it falls below 10* he plugs it in. We've been trying to meet up, but the recent heavy lake effect snow makes the drive over a little dicey. Snow is supposed to slack off tonight so I might venture over that way tomorrow.

At least with the temps running in the low teens I should get to see a nice cold start...when I get to see it.

Here are a couple pics from the ad

Larry Delor · #15 12-03-2005, 12:07 PM

There is a 300SDL (I think it's an L) just down the road from me. It's either silver or light blue. (there may be 2 of them there... I thought I saw a second one there a few days ago)

Want me to take a look at it and get a price(s)?

-Larry