Very nice looking maroon Euro. The NO AC thing is just a deal breaker I'm afraid. Love the car though! :)

Price I am not yet sure. I'd like to recover my expenses (repairs over the past year) and because it is a nice car with fairly low miles (less than 120k) I think it will be worth more than most US w123s as it should be more desirable with the 5 cylinder and the 4 speed and basically, well literally no special features. I'll be sure to let you know, but I am basically looking to get most of my money back then just dump it into the c123.\

Edit: "Orient Red"

Luckily California, northen and the surrounding area is bearable without AC. Not the best but I'm guessing most peoples in the area doesn't work as is. It makes the car lighter :)

[QUOTE=VWGuru&BenzFan;1370007]So I test drove this today: http://www.stareuropean.com/details.php?auto_id=145

I want it.

Okay then. Put on your oldest Levi's, a clean T-shirt and Tennis shoes.

Drop by the Bank and put 2300 greenbacks in one Levi pocket and 500 in the other.

Walk into the dealer and ask for the keys to the car while counting out the 2300 bucks and ask for a Bill of sale. You will have the 500 to negotiate with. If you must go higher than that is entirely up to you. Get the dealer to agree on a total price

Don,t fall for any documentation fee rap (remember He agreed on your total price)...anyway there is really no such thing on used cars and maybe a comeback of 50-70 bucks is plenty generous if you really need to help him with feeling like a win-win on this deal. If they insist for any more fee ask them to Itemize the documents you are "buying". I (I,ve never had one dealer who would substantiate their documentation fee) My wife negotiated with one salesman to write me a personal check as a rebate to offset his dealer's fees in order for me to agree to the deal...he made the sale and got credit for his quota and commission.

Also, do not forget to get their warranty in writing. And finally, don't leave the dealer until you have everything included in the deal such as spare keys(check to make sure they each work where they are supposed to), spare tire, tire jack, tools pouch, owner's manual, maintenance documents, etc.

Other things to negotiate for that are inexpensive for the dealer are:
Oil and filter change
Tire balancing/alignment
Wash and wax
Radiator flush and refill
Transmission fluid change
Differential drain and lube
Brake fluid replacement
Pinstriping

Don't get too greedy but these things are cheap for the dealer especially if he is sticking by his price or "doc fees" or because of the "quality" of the car.
If the seeds are planted during the first and second test drives (the 2nd with the wife) perhaps they could be negotiated into the deal. Comments such as "It is a little loose or vibrates, when was it balanced or aligned?" or "the trans fluid looks burnt" and "Mercedes Brake fluid ought to be changed every two years" and wife says " I don't feel safe without doin this or that..." or Honey, I don't really like this color but maybe it would be okay if it were cleaned up and waxed". It is ALL negotiable.

When decided to agree on a price, smile, say "okay" while shaking the salesman's hand , say "change the oil and filter and rebalance those tires" and "have 'em do a really special detail, wash and wax so I can pick it up and really show it off to my wife/girlfriend/Mom/Dad this evening. You know her sister Margaret and I think my uncle Ed are wanting to trade up to something newer and I can't wait to show them my dream car you helped me get"

Good luck and motor on

And also, when I drove the '85, the steering had some play in the wheel, and seemed loose. The transmission had hard/jerky shifting too under strong acceleration, and the hood cable was kinda a part-time worker.

Zack, that maroon one is a beauty, those euro non turbo 4 speeds are NICE!!!

For someone who likes the W123 diesels, that one should sell very quickly.
It's really hard to find a good 300D with a manual. They are fun to drive too.

So I drove them both, back to back today. The Euro 300D was a tank as well, and it was in a bit better shape than the US, Turbo 300D. However, the turbo power is where it's at.

The turbo car needs motor mounts, I believe (the engine moved quite a bit at idle); the tie rods/rod ends I think are on the way out (or it needs a wicked alignment) because there is some play in the wheel off center; and the back driver's side window regulator is on strike.

However, the motor runs great, it starts right up, doesn't smoke, the transmission shifts well, and there is no blow by. It's a 6-7 cosmetically (a 10foot car, I think) and an 8.5 mechanically. The engine bay is very clean. So, advice?

if you are leaning toward the turbo, please reread my post #9 re head gasket at 125 to 300k.

the power is intoxicating, but the low maintenance of the non turbo is pretty special in its own way.

tom w

euro 300D
 

I agree with Tom. I'm partial to simplicity and ease of maintenance. You may be too given your VW interest (unless you are into type 3's like I once was). I think that euro 300D is beautiful. Hate the way palomino turns flesh colored with sun exposure though. That seems to only happen to the early palomino MB tex.

I would be partial to boardmongers car simply for the manual and the obvious care he puts into his cars ( that is one amazing engine compartment!). Start simple and get that turbo in the future maybe. You'll probably not be disappointed with whatever you choose. I think it is time to just get one.

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

The problem is, the turbo is overpriced at $3995, and the Euro is $3K more than that!! :eek:

prices
 

You're right Jimmy, but the market has not cooled off. I don't know about your area, but here in smallville Missouri, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of diesel 123 and 126 sightings. I've got a friend who has purchased 5 123's in the last year and a half! A CD, 2 240D's, and a couple of 300D's (turbo and NA). I don't think the increased interest is because of the SVO/biodiesel movement either.

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

i think the wvo is driving the market for 240s. the euro 300 would be similar, especially if it has a stick.

tom w