I did it
 

Well I bit the bullet and bought a diesel, this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=300046407853&rd=1,1

I had a long chat with the selling dealer and with the mechanic who has been servicing it for the last 7 years (BTW he did the head 4 years ago).

I can't thank you all enough for all of the information I have learned during my short time here. It helped enormously in my search and evaluations. I hope to be a member of this forum for a long time to come.

I have a lot of mechanical experience (both past pro and current amateur), also with a couple of MB gasser V8's. I am really looking forward to putting this car into pristine condition, though by the description and my conversations, it shouldn't take much.

I'm flying in to drive it home 2500 miles early next week. Any additional precautions or recomendations? I will check the major issues before handing over the money. The seller is doing a partial service for me (oil change) and I will verify all other fluids, etc. and road test it thouroughly.

Thanks

Gregg

How much???

Low "Sixes"

I love that interior color... mine is the same. :D

Not a bad color combo, smoked silver looks good with most of them other than brown. :)

You bought a "beautiful" car, Mr. G.
 

You have in your car what I think makes these cars well worth the price, whatever you paid for it, if the paint and interior are in good to excellent shape, as your car is. Anyway, good luck with it and if you keep that interior as clean as it is now, and can keep it going, I don't see why you will ever have a problem getting your money's worth out of it.

BenzDiesel

Beautiful Car - Congrats
 

Wow! Nice ride. Enjoy the big body! I hope the car provides you much joy and reliable transportation.

What's the route home?
 

That's kind of funny, you are in Southern California where all the "best" Mercedes are supposed to be hiding and you found yours back east!!!

It really appears to have been lightly used, it looks cosmetically very very good. It even has the original floor mats, jack, spare and tools. Sometimes after multiple owners, things like that disappear. Hopefully you will have lots of books and records.

You did your homework well, by contacting the previous owners mechanic and talking to them.

I don't know for sure, but isn't it better for the 86-87 diesels to be a NON California car (Trap oxidizer issue or something?).

I envy you your wonderful driving trip. Not only will it be wonderful for the car, but you will see some wonderful sights along the way! It'd be almost something like taking European delivery of the car!!!

There are LOTS of Mercedesshop members here who probably could give you travel tips, and you could even meet some of them on the way. Lots of real experts and enthusiasts around who probgably would like to see the car, or help you with questions or problems along the way, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky, all over the place...

I lived in San Francisco, and had to find my Mercedes in Southern California
(House of Imports, Benz dealer in Orange County) and the buying experience
was a real adventure, but of course a much shorter trip along the way.

That car is a good catch!! Congrats!

What's the route home
 

Unfortunately I have to lead a motorcycle tour on Sunday the 19th so I will be going home pretty much straight on I-40. I will try to do a little sight-seeing and photography along the way in TN, AR & OK. The I-40 corridor west of Texas I travel often so not much new to see there.

Would love to meet folks for coffee or lunch along the way (lead me to Starbucks.....Pleeeeese!). PM me your contact info and I will call back once I am on the road.

Any SDL this clean and original in So Cal would cost in the five figure range. An 1985 SD with Tex seats I was bidding on just brought $10k
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=020&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3APIC&viewitem=&item=300042682546&rd=1,1


I was looking at this other one but $6k didn't do the reserve (and it's a rod bender). The seller got all pissy when I broached the subject of rod issues.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=019&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=290046512895&rd=1,1


I'm really looking forward to this car.

Gregg

49-state 1986 cars were spared the trap oxidizer...don't know about CA cars, though.

Nice!!!

We got our Caravan from that seller in 02. Also through eBay.

Sixto
93 300SD