Craig's list - 1987 Mercedes 300SDL - $750
 

1987 Mercedes 300SDL - $750

If I had the time I might think about it...

http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/car/122125043.html

Damn why can't a cheap SDL ever show up near me!:(

i know!!! i wonder what is wrong.... some one diagnose so we can ramble on about cheap sdl's not being by us

I don't know I probably wouldn't try an fix it unless it was something cheap. I want parts I'd strip it for my SDL!:D


From his limited description I'd start by changing the fuel filters, and hooking up a remote fuel supply to it. Id guess a possible bad lift pump.

Still for $750 if it has an updated head that alone would be worth more.

damn grr err I could get that car running in a few days including shipping for any parts needed at my home shop. Too far away to drive there and try to fix in a parking lot. It would be mine now (5 minutes after clicking the link) if it was within a 2 hour drive. to fix and drive back.

"Nothing's more expensive than a cheap Mercedes..."
— unknown

FWIW Sybill, my SDL cost me $650. Started and ran, but had no power and the a/c didn't work. I snapped part of the throttle linkage back into place and that fixed the no power issue. Cost $0. It was missing the LR door panel...replacement $65 + shipping. LF window lift was OOC...replacement $45. She needed a new front tire...$90. Still missing the matching 15" alloy wheel for a spare. One of the rear axles was shot so I bought a pair of used ones on eBay...$120. I had to destroy the diffy vibraton isolator just to remove the diffy cover...replacement $35. The front end had terminal 'klunkies' so I purchased UCAs, LCA bushings, ball joints, guide rod bushings (front and back)....approximately $550. Had to saw off the top of one of the front shocks in order to remove it....one pair of KYB cheapos $90. Needed special tool to separate lower ball joint from LCA...$114. Also needed a short sledge, pickle fork and some assorted big-a** open ends to remove the nuts from the LCAs and ball joints....approx $75.

Cost so far? About $1800 and I still am not into the a/c or cleaning the interior and getting some sheepskins on the totally trashed front seats and sorting out the other three windows that don't work.

I predict that by the time this car is on the road as a my backup ride, I'll have invested at least $3K and it will still look like someone used to live in it.

Go figure.

True R Leo you can get them road worthy for little money. But thats all they really are, road worthy drivers. Now how much would it cost to bring that SDL back to 1987 condition with OE parts?

That $750 SDL is a beater at best or a parts car at worst.

I believe that it's effectively impossible to purchase and keep an SDL in excellent condition for anywhere near $3K. If you buy one for $3K or less, you certainly face $6K in parts and/or paint to get it to an "excellent condition".

If you buy one for $7K, with low mileage, you still face $3K in parts to get it to "excellent condition".

My new one, at $2K, offers the best hope for getting it to "excellent condition" for less than $6K. Mechanically it is excellent. However, the paint is old and the bumpers and wheels need replacement/recon.

They are expensive vehicles to own, unless you drive them as beaters. Personally, I can't think of owning an SDL as a beater..........but, that's just me.:o

Certainly.

I don't regret buying that SDL; I've learned a lot.

LOL - join the club. I have to say mine was inexpensive though. I think it was $50 more than this one listed.



If that one on CL was anywhere near, I'd go scoop it up. Sounds like the fuel system needs to be bled off to start off or the IP is bad (doubtful). Time will tell, I am sure one will pop up this year around here that isn't beat down like the Johnnie Walker Gold Label one. :)

To use Brians point, the seller of that SDL states that the paint is shot. So lets assume that whatever is wrong with it can be corrected for $250 for arguments sake.

Now you have a $1k car, I have only come accross a handfull of these things in which I couldn't pick out $2k worth of needed mechanical stuff. Usually a quick walk around is all that is needed.

So we are up to $3k. The seller states the paint is shot. Well for me I want my primary drivers to look presentable. So that statement right their means $3k-$5k will be needed to get the body into shape.

Now we have a $6k-$8k SDL.:D Granted it is a damn good car for $6k, more fun to drive then a 6 year old Camry.

got mine for $1250
 

and i have put thousands of miles on it so far, only changing the oil and fixing a cracked oil pan with jb weld.

cross your fingers.

87 300SDL, Klaus, 187k, $1250
a/c works, smokes alot, goes 100, gets 26mpg on B20.

Here's a RUNNING SDL for $1200 on CL in case someone wants to check it out (I would but Santa Rosa is pretty far from my home and I have no spare time):
http://www.craigslist.org/nby/car/122936154.html

Well there's another one. :)

Why are all the good cheap SDL's in another state!:D The only local SDL I know of for sale is a tired example that a used car lot wants $4,500 for.:rolleyes: Its worth maybe $1,500, although it isn't very rusty.