What is a good price for an old MB diesel?
 

As you may have gathered from my other posts I am looking to aquire my first MB diesel. I have found a 1972 220D that is $2900. The car has 180K mi and there is no rust on the body. The owner says that it starts easily and does not smoke. I am unable to look at the car in person because it is 700 miles away. Take a look at these pictures and let me know if you think it is a reasoable price. Any tips on other info to pump from the owner? Thanks for your input. -Bryan

http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL176/.../121300175.jpg

http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL176/.../121300191.jpg

http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL176/.../121300209.jpg

http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL176/.../121300123.jpg

http://pic6.picturetrail.com/VOL176/.../121308568.jpg

Fresh repaint looks to me. Some overspray under hood. Fair amount of surface rust on items under there, CA or FL car?

CA. I'll ask about a re-spray when I talk to the guy again.

Damn Pretty looking
 

Sure looks pretty to me . Does most everything in the cabin work? I paid 2500 for an 81 Creme coloured 300D that does not look that good and needed tires , glow plugs, probably a starter, ball joint, tie rod ends , and more. I am not sure I got a great deal but it runs good and body and interior is above avg. for the year I would say and
I am happy with it I'm totally new to these cars but that car is damn pretty.

Get pictures of everything
 

Make sure you see picuters of everything -- front seats. back of car, dash, the whole works.

I have more pics. Everything looks great.I didnt post them all to help out the bandwidth challenged. :D I think that it looks like a nice car, but I want to avoid flying to get it only to find that it was over-hyped. I'm also worried about a 700 mile trip in a new (to me) car. Any body in the bay area want to take a look at it for me? :P

Opps . Now you have lost it :)
 

You ever heard that you have to take risks to get ahead? :) Perhaps some nice person would look at the car for you and not buy it out from under you.

Also, I would figure you could put it under a cover for 10 years and probably double or triple your initial investment without any work than just starting her up every now and then.

Again , I' m no expert and some will reply . This is a forum and I' m just voicing my thoughts in hopes they will get corrected or confirmed. I do not want to mislead you by making you think I know what I am talking about. Still, considering what hunks of cheap engineered pieces of tin you get for 3,000 these days, , it seems like a fair price.
:silly:

Hmmm
 

The engine compartment has been steam cleaned, and painted for effect.
Note that the radiator engine oil cooler assembly have no paint, after only 180K miles???

More pictures needed.
Driver seat.
steering wheel.
Center console.
Driver floor left front corner under mats = looking for signs of rust or repair.
Hood hinge mount trough/drain area = looking for signs of rust or repair.
Bottom of doors = looking for signs of rust or repair.


The car would need to be dealer showroom perfect for me to spent that type of money for a 240D.

Is that engine block rusty, or is it just painted that color?

Make sure it wasn't hauled there from New Orleans and steam cleaned.

That's an EBAY vehicle, right? I went to save the pictures you posted and I already had them on my harddrive. I only saved them originally because it was a nice looking car.

Looks like North Hollywood, CA, based on the pics.

Simply put the car needs a pre purchase inspection by a competent person familar with this brand. Nothing less. Remember you are the buyer and there are good cars around. You have to be patient and careful though. Even asking on the site if someone knows where there might be one could produce some leads. Ebay can be deadly plus application of use for this particular model is important as it might be pretty slow.

Here is a link to the listing.

http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/117410245.html

The owner said he would call me if it looked like it was going to sell, but he would let me have it first...and if it does get sold out from under me...oh well.

I'll see if I can get some pictures of the rust-prone areas whunter mentioned.
I am going to run a car-fax on the vin too.
Now that I take some time and think about it carefully it is probably not the best idea to buy a make and model car that I am not familiar with sight un-seen and expect to drive it 700 miles without a through going through.

So what is a good price range for a early 70's MB Diesel?

Isn't a 220D 4-speed stick rare?

I had a lip-stick red 220D a few years back. I've never had a car that got more stares.

You should ask about loose steering.

Pretty gutless cars, I afraid to say, but well-built.

Just a couple of thoughts....

For $2900 you have a really wide choice mercedes diesels, most of which will be nicer, more comfortable, and a heck of a lot faster.

Such as this 300sd for $2400 or this for $2850
Is your heart really set on a w115?

It just seems a little overkill to drive all the way to San Francisco to buy gutless 220d of questionable background.
My $.02
(but then again I love the way my w115 looks so I understand the attraction)