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

JimZ · #1 11-30-2006, 11:18 AM

I'm looking at an '85 300D Turbo Diesel, W123. The car is for sale at a strict Benz repair shop. The guy only fixes these cars, only uses OEM parts for everything, and he's been working on only these cars for 25 years. He gets them into the condition where the only maintenance the buyer will need is oil and filter changes. He makes everything as close to perfect as he can.
Having said that, the car is going for $7500 and it's pushing 300K. 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. So my question to you is, is this a good deal, and how many miles would make you shy away from purchasing a car maintained to this level?

tobybul · #2 11-30-2006, 11:35 AM

Its all relative and what u r willing to pay. Whats the condition of the body? I bought an 85 300D early this summer for much less than that and it only had 100k. That aside however, I personally would not pay that much for it for a 20+ year old car. I can get a decent Kia, Hyundai, Honda or Toyota for $7500 with less miles.... not to say somebody won't pay that for it...

rs899 · #3 11-30-2006, 11:40 AM

Lipstick on a pig.

At 300K miles that engine is getting tired. Unless you are prepared to drop a rebuilt engine in it in a year or two, I would advise against it at that price. Something like that seems to me to be worth more like $4-$5 K. Really need to know what's been replaced, but its hard to justify that money., IMO

Rick

greasybenz · #4 11-30-2006, 11:40 AM

even if these engines last forever, $7K for a 300K mile vehicle is alot!

The body and interior would have to be prestine and the engine would have to be on the strong running side. If at all its low on compression...forget about it.

MattBelliveau · #5 11-30-2006, 11:54 AM

I would not pay anywhere near that for a 300k car. You can get a nice one with half that milage for that price. If everything was rebuilt, I would ask for service records; I don't think I would pay more than a couple grand for anything less.

networkboy · #6 11-30-2006, 11:58 AM

He's the mechanic. See if he'll back his work with a written 50K warranty on the engine

-nB

byrdandcompany · #7 11-30-2006, 12:09 PM

PM sent

Slcom1983 · #8 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 · #9 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?

MS Fowler · #10 12-02-2006, 06:32 AM

JimZ,

Here is one thing to consider.....
Talk with your insurance agent. Find out if/how you can be insured for the value of the car. I believe you can get an "agreed value" policy. It is one where you and the insurance company agree up-front on the value of the car, and the premiums will cover that valuation.
The worst scenario I can imagine is where you buy this car at $7500, and it gets hit by an uninsured illegal immigrant and your insurance company says that the car is only worth $1000, becaase it has 300,000 miles and its over 20 years old.

Can you post some pics?

#11 12-02-2006, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

Here is one thing to consider.....
Talk with your insurance agent. Find out if/how you can be insured for the value of the car. I believe you can get an "agreed value" policy. It is one where you and the insurance company agree up-front on the value of the car, and the premiums will cover that valuation.

That's a good point. I pay for "normal" full coverage insurance, but in reality I think I'm mostly "self insured."