A "should I buy" question - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimZ · #16 11-30-2006, 03:02 PM

The thing is, it is in excellent condition, and I live in Philadelphia. If I lived in southern California or Florida, it would be a different story. Here, there aren't 20 something year old MB's that aren't total rust buckets, and if there are, they're not cheap. I have zero interest in a long distance buy through ebay or craigslist, so this is what I have to look forward to. And true, part of the fun is doing the work, but that's part of the reason I'm looking to replace the 300SD. I'm still a newbie, and I don't think I'll ever know enough to get my car to where it deserves to be without shelling out some serious dough. Seriously more than $7500, because I'll be paying mechanics for stuff I can't do.
It seems like the consensus that 300k is not worth $7500, no matter what the condition of the car. So, how many miles would have to be on it for you to consider spending $7500?
Let's make it easy, fill in the blank. "I would spend $7500 on an '85 300D Turbo Diesel in great condition, inside, outside, and underneath, if it had ____k miles on it or less."

vstech · #17 11-30-2006, 03:12 PM

hey, can you get the list of parts and service in the last year from him and post it? I would love to see what "everything new" means to him.
also have them list the cold and warm compression #'s you can go broke keeping up with all the trim, seals, grease, bushings, bearings, calipers, etc................ai.
John

Slcom1983 · #18 11-30-2006, 04:03 PM

I have a 240D and an 85 300D. I bought the 300D a year and a half ago. It had 104 "actual" miles. I use quotation because the miles seem to trace well across all the service records and a Carfax. The interior attests to the mileage. I also used quotations around "actual" as a reminder to myself that Mercedes of these vintages nearly all have had the odometer fail at least once. How many times they failed and how promptly the previous owner repaired them is always in question, so add some worry-factor to the claimed 300K miles. Mine is a Southern car...zero rust...and uses no oil between changes. I paid $3600 and must admit I had a twinge of buyers remorse at first. So far so good. Good luck and Caveat Emptor.

uberwgn · #19 11-30-2006, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimZ

It is my understanding that if the car is overhauled to the point that this one is, the milage doesn't really matter because the engine will last forever.

Jim, don't be naive. No mechanical device has an infinite life. I don't know why so many make this claim, I guess it's a statement made by folks who've never owned a high mileage car. Any car will last "forever" if you throw enough $$$ at it.

Without seeing the car, it sounds like a lot of money. Let's face it, the car is 20+ years old and is in the Northeast. Aren't there any other cars you can look at for similar money?

tobybul · #20 11-30-2006, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimZ

... "I would spend $7500 on an '85 300D Turbo Diesel in great condition, inside, outside, and underneath, if it had 100k miles on it or less."

and only if I am happy with it after I test drive and go over it.....

Thinking about what you said, though, if you would rather rely on someone else to tinker with, I would just make sure that this someone is totally competent..... otherwise, it'll be a money pit. Like I said, if you have the $$ and can justify the buy then .......get the warranty in writing, no deductibles, bumper to bumper?......

#21 11-30-2006, 08:27 PM

As others have said, it's all about the condition. At 300K miles, it will definitely need some care and feeding. If the automatic transmission has not been rebuilt/replaced it is likely you will have to do it sooner than later. My 300D has 360K+ miles and is running strong, but I realistically expect to spend $7 or $8K on a rebuilt engine at some point in the next 100K miles (I've already replaced the transmission). There are plenty of little ($500) nits that you will eventually have to deal with too. If you like the car, make an offer. Just realize that if you intend to keep it for the long term, you are probably going to spend more than the purchase price over the next 3 to 5 years. I'm sure that I'm into mine for at least $15K. I could never get my money back, but it's a hobby so I don't care. These cars are nice toys, but they aren't cheap if you want keep them in good/excellent condition.

If you're looking for less of a commitment, you should be able to find a pretty decent driver with around 200K miles for more like $4K. It probably won't be perfect, but it should be in reasonable condition.

barry123400 · #22 11-30-2006, 09:51 PM

We could really get something going here. Since it is pretty well established you are willing to spend 7,500.00 on a 300d. Why not issue a challenge to our general forum to see whats out there. You are talking premium price at tha figure in my opinion. It might pry a really good one with very low milage loose from someone. I still feel there is nothing better than a really sound low milage car with almost pristine original paint and interior. Even better than a restored example unless a real fortune has been spent. Like 20-30,000 on a 300k car. A couple of mine look like they have never even been sat in. Not my words but people that have seen them. They are just not for sale. A member out there may have one he would sell or know of one somewhere that he just does not want to spend that kind of money on. If the one you are looking at had been repainted you have to see the pre paint pictures with lots of closeups of the typical bad spots. That car did amass it's milage in the rustbelt after all. Without those photos I would be reluctant to touch it. If the engine and transmission have not been correctly rebuilt I would also leave it alone. Basically 7,500,00 for a 300k 300d with all the obvious faults only repaired is just too much money. I just know there is better for that kind of money out there.

JimmyL · #23 11-30-2006, 10:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimZ

Let's make it easy, fill in the blank. "I would spend $7500 on an '85 300D Turbo Diesel in great condition, inside, outside, and underneath, if it had ____k miles on it or less."

I wouldn't spend that much for a 300D in any condition. For half that, give or take, you can get a really nice one.
Also, you can't trust these odometers, so you really can't fully trust the mileage without some fairly extensive service records.
If $ is no object for you, then knock yourself out. But I believe these cars in any kind of shape are gonna need things. I love these cars, but when you think about it, they do break quite often.
Like I've said before, we just dig the Klackin'...........

rs899 · #24 12-01-2006, 07:18 AM

Barry brings up an interesting idea. At $7500, I would be tempted to offer you our 300D turbo with 210K miles and "everything " done to it (all rubber/suspension/shocks/steering/etc) replaced. Still original tranny and engine, but that's about it. Nice personal respray. New seats. Florida car since day 1.

My wife may or may not kill me depending on her mood (it's hers).

Just a wild idea, but really, post a WTB entry in the Cars for Sale section and see what turns up.

Rick

JimZ · #25 12-01-2006, 11:00 AM

I really, REALLY, don't want to spend $7500, and I definitely think that is a lot to ask for an old, high milage car. And I'm not being naive. I have poured over ebay and craigslist for fair weather states. I've seen examples of good and excellent condition 300D's. There's one on ebay right now. It's the same exact car, year, interior and exterior color and everything with 202,136k:
Item# 200053120951

Right now it's at $3500, a little less than half of $7500, but the reserve has not been met.

I also want to be clear that this mechanic really, really knows his stuff. I've spent over an hour talking to him so far, and it's very apparent that he is a MB perfectionist. His goal with the cars that he sells is to get them to the condition they were in when they rolled off the boat from Germany. The car is almost done. He was waiting for new carpeting for the entire car. Personally, I think that's a bit unneccesary, but that's how he does it. All new, all OEM, and that adds up. I have no doubt he has put close to $7000 into this car to fully restore it. He's not taking anyone for a ride, simply getting his money back and making a little profit for his work. After talking to him it is very clear that he LOVES these cars. Probably more so than many of us on this forum. He said that he has customers that buy old MB's in great shape and bring them in to him to be checked out. To get the car to the standards where he sells them, he can almost always find a few thousand dollars worth of repairs that he would do before he would have sold it. He's not trying to scam people, he's just trying to make the car perfect. And keep in mind, he uses only new OEM parts, and that gets really expensive. I don't doubt at all that this car is in better overall condition than the one on ebay. We'll see how much that one goes for on Sunday.

Okay. Long enough. He's closed until Monday. I'll call him then and find out the exact milage, and exactly what he has put into this car. I'll take notes and report back.

rrgrassi · #26 12-01-2006, 11:06 AM

Also find out if the engine has been rebuilt or replaced. For me, here in Texas, when I buy a used engine, I perfer it to come from up north, as it should not have been subjected to too much hot weather running. As far as car bodies, I prefer the southern ones because of rust.

JimmyL · #27 12-01-2006, 11:07 AM

He doesn't necessarily deserve to get his $ back on a car, or make a profit. I guess he finds folks to pay that premium, but that doesn't have to be you.
No rush for you, I'm guessing, so just get comfortable with whatever you choose to do.

Mr.Kenny · #28 12-01-2006, 11:12 AM

People; every where I read....These 'marcedes deasels' are exposta get one million miles minimum.
So he's still got 700,000 miles left to go on a "like new" marcedes.

haf a nise day!

Jim B. · #29 12-01-2006, 12:24 PM

If it had a NEW engine and transmission, and no rust, firm seats, good interior, good suspension, brakes, new tires and a bumper to bumper written warranty for a couple of years, then, maybe, for the convenience of not having to travel anywhere to buy it, then ok. Maybe.

These carsw are bringing good prices these days because of the Biodiesel craze, and it seems like the seller is trying to get his money back out of it that he put into it, but even so, thats a pretty high price for the miles.

Good ones or better ones, with lower mileage, and for less can be had, if you are willing to wait, and willing to be creative in how far away you are willing to go and look.

$3500-$4500 seems like a more reasonable price I think, but then, it's what the market will bear...how much would YOU pay for a car like that for sale near your doorstep?

signalredcoupe · #30 12-01-2006, 10:51 PM

If it's in as good a shape as you say, where nothing has to be worried about with a warantee, & you love the car, I would buy one more thing to keep people from cringing about the mileage & the price-another speedometer.
Although I would still try to get him down on the price, Paul.