Advice: buying an 87 300TD wagon

[courier47]

Ad says:
"Rare 1987 Mercedes-Benz 300TD Wagon. Runs like a champ, starts right up in cold weather, 29mpg on a recent road trip, minimal blowby. Interior in good condition, very minimal wear on MBtex. Headliner in good shape, no sags, minimal wear. All glass in perfect shape, usual paint condition for 20 year old car, no fading, just small chips and scratches. Bit of rust behind passenger side rear door. Good tires. Starts and runs excellent. No leaks, no overheating, transmission shifts smooth, no jolts, no flaring. Cruises at high speeds effortlessly. Brakes good. "

I called him and he said the car is from the NE and has one rust spot...rust through on the rear passenger side quarter panel. He wants $4000 for the car. Says the car is in awesome mechanical shape. AC doesn't blow cold. He said people have been by to look at the car but are turned away because of the rust, although he says it's not that bad.

Any advice? Is it worth having this car with the rust? Is this price good?

[dieseldiehard]

With any visible rust one worries aboutwhat is lurking under paint in crevasses, etc. That is too high in my book, by a huge amount!
If AC was working it MIght be worth $2000 but it would need to be pretty nice

[courier47]

Yeah that's what I figured...but it's so tempting because of the rarity of the car. Those wagons are so cool.

[Hit Man X]

I too believe I would pass on that TD, that's why rust is called cancer of the car. It spreads and while can be fixed is very costly and doesn't always end...

A 300TE isn't too bad of a choice, I know where one is hanging out if you're looking for one. Actually two, one is black the other a gunmetal blue.

[courier47]

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

I too believe I would pass on that TD, that's why rust is called cancer of the car. It spreads and while can be fixed is very costly and doesn't always end...

A 300TE isn't too bad of a choice, I know where one is hanging out if you're looking for one. Actually two, one is black the other a gunmetal blue.

Yeah let me know where these cars are and all information you have on 'em.

[Hit Man X]

Originally Posted by courier47

Yeah let me know where these cars are and all information you have on 'em.

Shoot me a PM. I don't mind telling the info as I have no interest in the vehicles, but you don't want nine people after the same vehicle.

[dieseldiehard]

I was looking thru Craigslist and saw an ad for a 124 300TD ($6500) and the seller has some photos of the factory brochure for this chassis and has it as part of his listing. its here while its fs:
http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/160654708.html

maybe someone could put into a file on the server here?

[luvthe111]

Despite what the NADA guides say, the prices for these wagons are much higher than you expect as the supply is low and demand is high.

I doubt you can find a running 87 diesel wagon for only $2000. But I wouldn't spend $4000 on a car with east coast rust unless the car was absolutely perfect mechanically, with records and a pre-purchase inspection to back it up.

[Hickenpower99]

I must have got lucky! I just bought a 1985 300TD for $850. I drove it 50 plus miles home and she ran well. Her outside is a bit rough... but I'll give her the TLC she needs!

[Rashakor]

Originally Posted by Hickenpower99

I must have got lucky! I just bought a 1985 300TD for $850. I drove it 50 plus miles home and she ran well. Her outside is a bit rough... but I'll give her the TLC she needs!

That is lucky!!!
That is a fabulous bargain. I was looking at a non-running part wagon the other day. It went for 1200... Granted, it was not too bad body and interior.
running, nice w123 or w124 wagons are almost impossible to find for less than $4000

[uberwgn]

courier, price will be dictated by condition and written history, and I suppose rust. You should try to have somebody take a look at the car for you.

I inspected a car for someone two years ago here in the Boston area. the seller described the car as excellent, needed nothing, blah blah. He said it had never been in an accident even though body work and bad paint was obvious every where....it was kind of silly. Needless to say, that car (and seller) received three thumbs down...the car was a POS.

[courier47]

I'm gonna bow out of the 87 wagon. The guy swears the car is in great shape and the only problem is the rust and the ac doesn't work. But it's not a risk that I'm willing to take with $4000 on the line.

Although, I will release the whereabouts of the car now for those of you who might want to take a look: http://austin.craigslist.org/car/157070300.html .

The guy that I talked to is really nice and he's moving to Colorado for the summer and he is getting rid of the 300td and a 240d. Might be a good lead for someone who lives close to Austin.

[Rich300TDMBZ]

It is now back on Ebay for buy-It-Now price of $3500.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-300-Series-RARE-1987-MBZ-300TD-Diesel-Wagon-RARE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6330QQitemZ4640675205QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW

[Rich300TDMBZ]

Well, somebody jumped on it for the asking price. The pictures shows a decent car, but no picture of the rust If the rust is in only one location. and an easy fix, it's a decent buy as the rest of the car looks pretty good. I have seen 300Tds looking worse, and sold for more.