Not a Mercedes, but an interesting diesel. The seller is asking $9500 for a 1985 BMW 524td Turbo Diesel with 125K miles. Pretty rare. The seller described it as "excellent, perfect, flawless condition". Is this a reliable car, and is parts readily available? For a person who do works on the W123 and W124, is this car easily worked on? Anybody on the forum has one or owned one before?
http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/135542676.html

Don't know jack about these cars....do know that car looks real good! The car is 21 years old and the style still looks good to my eye. If it checks out like it's written up, it's a great car...I liked the fuel milage numbers...OD Auto...wish I had that feature!

$9500.00 bucks? What else could you buy that looks that good for 9500 bucks...a Honda Accord?

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Mark
1983 300TD Wagon
Even a broken watch is right twice a day

Looks like a nice example of a $3500 car. The owner's clearly smokin crack, but it's a nice car nonetheless.

The 524td is a good car but this is way too much regardless of how well kept it is, I mean an e28 M5 costs the same and will be far more collectable as well as fun to drive. The choice is yours but I paid for $5k for a 1986 535i with less miles, lots more performance goodies and in better shape 10 years ago. This car may be worth $2-3k.

hope that helps

EDIT:e28 5 series cars are excellent, straight forward and far easier to work on than most MB, parts costs are generally less and aftermarket support on all levels is better for the bimmer. By the way, the BMW staight six, or big six is indestructable, gassers typically take upwards of 300K abusive miles. The cars really love to be driven. For me the e28 and later e34 5 series are the best Bimmers ever built, consequently they have the strongest loyalty of all BMW models. Look for a 535 or M5 instead

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Stable Mates:
1987 300TD 310K mi (Hans)
2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee OM642 165k mi (Benzrokee)

Looks like a nice car....I still only like MB's though.

If that instrument panel on the ceiling with all those LED's stays lit while driving I think I'd go insane though.

Definatley a well cared for and super clean car! Parts are probably a bear to find, since there were so incredibly few of those brought here. It'd be a cool "sunday driver" or project car just to have. Like the original owner, in a "collection" Must be nice....

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I had an 86, the only other year imported. It was a nice car but definately not $9500. I paid $1500. The engine was used in a turbodiesel motor home so there's another source of engine parts anyway.

Reality check: That is 300SDL money+...

I don't find the E28 series BMW superior to the 123, never mind the 124 or126. It handles quite a bit better, but the Benz cooks it in every other dimension.

(I have owned a 1987 535i and 1981 300SD. BiG SiX pwns the 617 for power, that's all. the 524 doesn't even have that advantage)

It's probably worth what he's asking, but for me personally the Merc has a much better interior. And $9500 could go to a real good Merc diesel.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I have very VERY rarely seen an E28 in the kind of condition.... 10 years ago sure, but at this day in age most E28's rubber trimmings, interiors, and leathers have split or cracked, faded or oxodized... esp. in CA. But they do exist, and this one proves this. Finding a comparable E28 in this kind of cosmetic shape is tough, most E28's that are in this shape are M5's, and are either in an original preserved state or have been restored.

Because this one is the 524TD, which I think would fall right underneath the M5 in E28 collectability (primarily because its a bimmer DIESEL, which is a RARE bird in the U.S.) I think the asking price makes sense. I guarantee that you will not find another 524TD in that kind of cosmetic shape for a long time. Realistically I think that car will sell for maybe $7K.

I will agree with previous posts- the E28 was one of the more well built BMW's, and there are plenty on the road to testify... but very few are in this kind of condition. The 524's drive nicely, I almost bought one myself a few years back. I am a tall guy though, and the driving position felt a little cramped, no matter how I positioned my seat.

Whoever buys this 524TD car will have a truly special car!

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

There was a recent discussion on this, here.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=143207&highlight=BMW+Turbo+Diesel

Though that example was very poor condition and this looks to be in far better shape.

Also several other items noted in a quick search of this forum of BMW Turbo Diesel, may make a good read.

Take a close look at the picture with the license plate. Look under the trunk lock. Could be just a bad wash job, but it may not have been as cared for as thought, or it smokes.

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raMBow

1999 E300DT Obsydian Black Metallic, Heated Full Leather Parchment options, E2, K2, 136,000+, best 36.5 mpg - GP's 12-04 & 11-12 Zero Stuck
2010 Honda Odyssey - The BrideMobile - best 26.5
(2) 2005 Honday Accord- (1 -Corporate 1 - Personal) - 110,000 4-cyl 30mpg
2000 VW Golf GLS TDI, Upsolute Chip (sold to Brother, now 300+k on it) 48.5 mpg like clock work
1987 Honda CRX HF - Sold 87,000 always over 50 mpg Max 67 mpg

They are a neat little car, their is a red one down the street from me, actually it almost looks that nice.

If you want a mint 524TD certainly restoring one to that conditon would cost more then $10k. So thats worth something. I could see paying $7k if you really wanted a mint example.

Body work alone would cost $5k to bring an ok body back to mint.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

It's a sweet looking ride for sure.....one thing I have to wonder...he says always dealer serviced all oem but I see a Sears Die Hard in there. I guess not a big deal just kind of funny I guess.

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Brian
87 300Dturbo 180K #14 head still running R-12 SOLD 12/2017
02 F350 Powerstroke 180K
05 Chevy Express 1 ton w/Royal Utility box 120K
08 Infiniti FX-35 40K
15 Golf Sportwagen TDI 35K
10 Sprinter 3500 chassis with a Class A Winnebago on it. 56K

I've seen lower mileage examples selling for half that. That guy is nuts. They may be rare but not collectable by any means. I've driven one and a 617 powered 300D is much quicker and is even quieter.
You can buy a very nice low mileage 123 or 126 for that money.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I think a BMW 2002 would be a good complement to a W123... I have been looking at those lately.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Why does it seem like one of the seat backs(driver's) has been pryed or left slightly open?

It is quite a steep price. But, considering the condition, I don't know.

Actually reminds me of that 300SDL for 19K dollars with 118K miles not too long ago. Remember perfect300sdl.com?

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)