Why Not $10,000 for a '80-'85 300TD Wagon? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

krs · #1 03-18-2006, 09:51 PM

For simplicity, milage, comfort, and quality I've been looking for one of the above cars. I've decided that I want a nice one with good expectation of a fairly trouble-free car for reliable transportation.

At first I believed that $3000. or so would be enough but I've seen several cars command a premium and have pretty much accepted that for a good one $10K may be required. They seem to be high on the list of desirables for the people interested in conversions and biodiesel operation. Perhaps the additional room in back is needed to carry all of the tanks and paraphenalia of a greasecar?

I'm pretty new to the MB game though not to diesl power and wonder if I've just overreacted to the ebay presentations. You tell me.

Is it really necessary to pay so much for an old pig-in-a-poke? If not, someone prove it - sell me your car. (JK!)

I'm in southern Washington state, about 40 miles north of Portland, OR.

Tom Valdriz · #2 03-18-2006, 09:57 PM

Sadly, alot of wagons are going for the upper limits near or at 10k.

You are right about pig-in-the-poke. If you are dropping serious money
get a pre-purchase inspection by a good Mercedes mechanic.

Personally, I would not pay that kind of money unless it was the original
owner with very well-documented service...

Tom

dieseldiehard · #3 03-18-2006, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krs

For simplicity, milage, and quality I've been looking for one of the above cars. I've decided that I want a nice one with good expectation of a fairly troublefree car for reliable transportation.

At first I believed that $3000. or so would be enough but I've seen several cars command a premium and have pretty much accepted that for a good one $10K may be required. They seem to be high on the list of desirables for the people interested in conversions and biodiesel operation. Perhaps the additional room in back is needed to carry all of the tanks and paraphenalia of a greasecar?

I'm pretty new to the MB game though not to diesl power and wonder if I've just overreacted to the ebay presentations. You tell me.

Is it really necessary to pay so much for an old pig-in-a-poke? If not, someone prove it - sell me your car. (JK!)

I'm in southern Washington state, about 40 miles north of Portland, OR.

Here you are! BO over $10,000 http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/143016586.html

dieseldiehard · #4 08-13-2006, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dieseldiehard

Here you are! BO over $10,000 http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/143016586.html

And another eBay wagon heading off to set a record, perhaps?
1983 300TD now at $13,700 and HAS NOT hit the RESERVE yet!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230015956499

Randall Hansen · #5 03-18-2006, 10:55 PM

I spent a long time doing the same search from Portland. I wanted to spend $10,000 over the first two years, including purchase and all maintenance. My research and experience suggests that it's possible, but it will take you a while to find the right car.

After about three months I found a one-owner 1984 300TD in Seattle. I called 30 minutes after it had been posted to Craig's list and bought a train ticket for the next day while I was on the phone with the seller. He got dozens of calls. I drove it home for $6,500.

In all the time I looked, it was the cheapest 123 diesel wagon in decent shape that I saw. It has lots of little cosmetic issues, and we've spent about $1,500 on various things (front end, freon charge, etc) in the last 3 months. The engine and transmission are in great shape and there's no rust -- pretty much everything else you can fix yourself.

So ... keep looking. And for god's sake yes, make sure you get it inspected. Unless you really know your ***** you can get taken, especially in this market with the prices so insane.

Biodiesel300TD · #6 03-18-2006, 11:16 PM

To get a beautiful body and an engine and tranny worth bragging about you are going to have to spend upward of 10K, especially in the PNW. If you are patient you can find a good deal on one. I have a wagon, and my fincee and I are a one car family. I cannot imagine having a sedan not at this point anyway, the dog loves the space. Sedans are great cars too, probably a little more problem free with the whole rear self leveling system. But the wagons are a sweet cars.

I was able to find my wagon in Portland for $3400, but I have put around $1500 into it getting the vac system all sealed up, and all kinds of other parts here and there too many to remember off hand. But mine has it's flaws, the cracked dash, the big scratch near the driver's front wheel well. I haven't even dived into the AC yet. The belt was gone when I bought the car so who knows if the compressor works.

lietuviai · #7 03-18-2006, 11:20 PM

It's not worth it. Don't get caught up in the craziness. $10K for a car that's not going to be anymore reliable than a used Japanese car, you'll pay a premium for fuel and the car won't get good fuel economy.

bgkast · #8 03-18-2006, 11:39 PM

If you have the $$, why not. I say go for it. If you keep your eye out for awhile you can probably find a better deal though.

Mister Byrnzoil · #9 03-18-2006, 11:41 PM

Its worth getting a Kali (rust free) body... engines and transmissions can be changed, but rust-bucket is forever... I'd be looking for a a clean body and an effed-up drivetrain (preferably a dead automatic tranny, so I could replace it w/ a manual tranny)

Have you figgered out weather you want a turbo or NA?

Maroon 300D · #10 03-19-2006, 01:00 AM

$10K seems outrageous. If you buy a 20-year-old car it will have problems, that's the one thing you can count on.

If I were you I would try and find one outside of the PNW. Old MB deisels seem to command a premium here as people are more interested in alternative fuels than in other parts of the US.

The TD's are very cool, though, and sought after to a degree where it's likely to hold its value.

Good luck.

Randall Hansen · #11 03-19-2006, 02:21 AM

You don't buy one of these cars because it's an investment. The only true investment cars are so rare that it would be insane to drive one.

I bought my 300TD because I was sick of supporting oil companies and wanted to run biodiesel, and a good W123 wagon is the best diesel available under $10k. It runs beautifully, will last forever, is safe, and is easy to work on. I might rather have a W124 wagon with air bags, but I can't afford one. Other than that this is the perfect car.

Sure, $10,000 will get you a newer, more reliable, cheaper to maintain Japanese car. And you'll continue sending money to Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Exxon. Does my not buying a few gallons of gas from them make any difference to the world? No. But it makes a difference to me.

I make no moral judgements about other people. This is my choice, and I'm happy with it. Plus, my ride kicks ass

bgkast · #12 03-19-2006, 04:37 AM

Here you go...send me the change!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/car/143184170.html

jaded13640 · #13 03-19-2006, 05:20 AM

I'll be posting a new thread about it but I thought it would be appropriate to mention it here first. I realize mine isn't a turbo and isn't a wagon. My frame is solid but there is a bit of body rust. Especially the right front door.

But $10,000 for an 80 to 85 wagon? I don't know man, It would have to be pretty well perfect.

I noticed you were looking at ebay, have you checked Autotrader dot com?

If you make really good money and can afford the 10k, great. Go for it but if it were me, I'd keep looking.

Best of luck on your search,

Wayne

t walgamuth · #14 03-19-2006, 08:30 AM

for 10k it should be about perfect. but if it is, get an inspection by a benz specialist anyway. if you dont have a lot of experience with benzes it is easy to be fooled as to how good the example you are looking at is.

i sold my 82 300td fifteen years ago for 6500 i think, and they are about the same today or a bit higher. very very nice cars on the road. a bit of a lot of stuff to maintain, but they will hold their value, i think.

tom w

mfagus · #15 03-19-2006, 01:48 PM

Hello there. I know someone who is selling a 87 diesel, blue/3rd seat, body pretty good. I have driven car and it drives nice. Needs injector work as it smokes alot on start up and then is ok. Good heat and A/C.
I think he wants around 7k. Has 250k. I believe it is a one owner car before it was aquired buy my friend.
He is a VERY wealthy man who OWNS multiple new car dealerships (MB, BMW, Mini, LandRover, etc) These dealerships bear his name as they were founded by his father. I believe his dealership took this car in in trade. He has been driving it himself for most of the winter.

Anyways, email me if you want further information.

mfagus1@netscape.net

Mark