I think I got a great deal - How much is my car worth? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

conybeare · #1 06-09-2006, 06:00 PM

I just bought my first MB, a 1976 240D with 210k for only $700. The previous owners were a couple, and they maintained it and took it to the shop (and spent quite a bit of money) when needed. When I got to there house on Saturday morning, they said they had 3 more people lined up after me, and that there were even more responses (they had posted it on Craigslist - I live in Seattle). They openly admitted they didn't really know what it was worth, and were selling as just a plain old car. I have also tracked two cars thus far which were very similar to mine in condition (both 240Ds, one '76 and one '74), which went for around $1500-1800 I believe. All that got me thinking, did I get a great deal? How much is my car worth?

As for the car, it is a fantastic runner. I was shocked by how slow it was (the previous owner thought it might have low compression, but I think was guessing out of the blue), but I am pretty sure that is normal given all the jokes, and the common knowledge of how low performance they are supposed to be. The body has very little rust. The pain is faded, but all there. The interior has a few tears, but is still pretty good. The trunk actually has a good deal of rust, but it looks superficial. There is a bit of rust of the floor by the back seats. The blinker stalk won't stay down (I have read the fix and plan on that soon), and the syncros for 2nd gear are worn (double clutching allows smooth up****s, going really, really slow allows smooth downshifts). Those are the only flaws. Other than that, it runs great. What do you think this car is worth? Don't worry, I won't sell it! I love it already!

-Conybeare

diametricalbenz · #2 06-10-2006, 12:01 AM

That sounds like a $700 car. The cars are prone to rust and the die hard W115'ers are not as many as the W123 crowd. They just don't know what they're missing

Does the odometer and or the vacuum locks work? You'll probably have to do all the routine stuff checking fluids, diesel purge, valve adjustment and the car should be good to go.

Post some pictures!

BodhiBenz1987 · #3 06-10-2006, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by diametricalbenz

The cars are prone to rust and the die hard W115'ers are not as many as the W123 crowd. They just don't know what they're missing

Isn't a '76 240D a W123? I thought 75 was the last year of the OM616 in the W115 ...

#4 06-10-2006, 01:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BodhiBenz1987

Isn't a '76 240D a W123? I thought 75 was the last year of the OM616 in the W115 ...

According to this, the 76 is a W115 and the 77 is a W123:

http://home.hiwaay.net/~gbf/mbmodels.html

I believe this is correct.

#5 06-10-2006, 01:15 AM

Ditto that... Hope it's not a w115 with worn mounts, because changing the oil hot will cause you to use swear words you didn't even know.

#6 06-10-2006, 01:22 AM

The payback is that you can drive almost 400 miles to a tank, and kill all the 'skeeters in your neighborhood. Your neighbors will at firdt wonder what in the heck is that noise as you warm it up in the morning. Seriously, they are nice cars.

Your shifting problem may be due to the fact that someone put the wrong oil in the transmission. Make sure your manual transmission has ATF in it. Thicker oil will cause shifting problems and synchro wear. Many shop don't know and put gear oil or 30w oil in them. Congrats, it sounds like a nice car!!!

nhdoc · #7 06-10-2006, 06:47 AM

You got a good deal. You could easily get $1500 for it on ebay as the W115 is much harder to find than the W123. Personally, I have been on the hunt for a 4 speed 300D in the W115 chassis. Since that was only made for 2 years (75 & 76) I know it will be a challenge to find one in nice shape. The 240 was made in the W115 prior to 1975 (74 and 73 I think) so there are more of them around. The W115 is sought after...if you don't want it you can easily get your money out of it and a tidy profit too.

POS · #8 06-10-2006, 09:11 AM

My guess would be it's worth about $1000 tops, depending on condition. It's a w115, not exactly desireable. It's got over 200k, also not desireable.

Jim B. · #9 06-10-2006, 09:20 AM

You got a good deal.

A fair deal would have been when both sides walked away from the done deal slightly UNhappy.

But you are happy.

The car can be sorted out, and while it's slooooooow, it will last a long time.
Nice catch.

Fact that there were 3 more in line after you shows the market has a high demand for them, high gasoline prices, WVO craze, etc

You will enjoy it even more as you get it cleaned up

vahe · #10 06-10-2006, 09:33 AM

"Isn't a '76 240D a W123? I thought 75 was the last year of the OM616 in the W115 ..."

My first MB diesel was a 220D 72, that was a W115, my current MB diesel is a 240D 77, a W123, strangely this one was produced in 1976 but is labeled as 1977 model.

Vahe

Jim B. · #11 06-10-2006, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vahe

"Isn't a '76 240D a W123? I thought 75 was the last year of the OM616 in the W115 ..."

My first MB diesel was a 220D 72, that was a W115, my current MB diesel is a 240D 77, a W123, strangely this one was produced in 1976 but is labeled as 1977 model.

Vahe

Be that as it may, 1977 is the model year that begins the W123 year.
1976 and prior is the W115 cars.

The fact that your 1977 240D was built in 1976 may still mean it is a 1977 model. What does your build sheet, and VMI say?

Case in point is that per the factory build sheet from Germany, which I have obtained from the Daimler Benz historical archives, and the Vehicle Master Inquiry, which I got from the Mercedes Dealer in San Rafael Calif.

My vehicle is a model year 1991 W126 coupe

It was assembled in Sep. 12 1990 in Stuttgart

Shipped from Germany Sep 17 1990

Arrived at port of Long Beach, Calif. port prep center in Nov. 1990

Arrived at dealer, Calstar MB, Glendale Calif. 12/20/1990

Delivered to customer, as a 1991 coupe, 12/23/90

Something obviously similar occurred with your 240D. The documentation will show you the date your car was built, shipped, preppred at the port, and date delivered to the dealer. A 1977 240D could have made it to the US dealer in late 1976.

///

There is nothing inconsistent .

Larry Delor · #12 06-10-2006, 09:52 AM

If he posts a pic or two, all doubt will be removed as to wether he has a 115 or a 123

.

So....Come on! Post some pics already!

Dana B. · #13 06-10-2006, 10:44 AM

I worked for MB in '76. The 240Ds were 115s. For the guy searching for a 300D 115 four-speed, never saw one on the lot in '75 and '76. If there are any in the U.S., they're gray market Euro imports.

The 240Ds were slow THEN

.

BodhiBenz1987 · #14 06-10-2006, 11:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Case in point is that per the factory build sheet from Germany, which I have obtained from the Daimler Benz historical archives, and the Vehicle Master Inquiry, which I got from the Mercedes Dealer in San Rafael Calif.

My vehicle is a model year 1991 W126 coupe

It was assembled in Sep. 12 1990 in Stuttgart

Shipped from Germany Sep 17 1990

Arrived at port of Long Beach, Calif. port prep center in Nov. 1990

Arrived at dealer, Calstar MB, Glendale Calif. 12/20/1990

Delivered to customer, as a 1991 coupe, 12/23/90

Something obviously similar occurred with your 240D. The documentation will show you the date your car was built, shipped, preppred at the port, and date delivered to the dealer. A 1977 240D could have made it to the US dealer in late 1976.

///

There is nothing inconsistent .

I understand this part ... my 1987 300D was "born" on Dec. 8, 1986. I simply had my years mixed up in terms of when the W123 chassi was introduced. Oh well, can't win 'em all ...