HI, I'm new to the site but appreciate the years of experience here, and I could really use your thoughts on this one. This 85 300D expired on ebay because the reserve was not met. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...4716293&rd=1,1
I've contacted the seller to possibly buy it, and questioned him profusely about the ODO being off, and it appears plausible the previous owner had the ODO stop on him, then guessed the miles by multiplying 20k X 5 when he sold it. The new owner feels it does not have that many miles. He has replaced sunroof switch, window regulaters in the back windows, and basic maintenence, but no glow plugs, water pump or major repairs. Reading his answers at the bottom it appears he doesn't know the car too well, and has no prior repair receipts. The car needs new paint, but overall seems in good condition. Anyway I am interested in it cuz I love these ones, and I'm contemplating having it checked out by a good MB mechanic before making an offer. He has told me he wants $2500. What do you think?

If you are nearby it's worth a look, but not worth $2500.

You would need all maintenance records as well. That would help determine it's condition and quality/quantity of manitenance.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

The odometer is a common failure on these cars. With that history it should be fairly rust free, although the paint has suffered (and likely the dash has cracked too). Having a mechanic inspect it is a great idea. Have them run a compression test too. As long as there is not any serious issues $2500 seems like a fair price. Post back with what the mechanic has to say.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Ditto on the odo. Anything about 130k is a suggestion not a factual obversation.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

With no records, I'd agree with you.

From the pix the dash looks cracked, you'll definitely need paint, at least in AZ rust won't be a problem, this car is actually visually similar to my '82 (and I paid $2200 for mine) with about the same mileage, mine has a rebuilt tranny but a little rust in a couple of spots with a slightly cracked paint job, it would be smart to go test drive it and check for blowby issues and the like, I can tell you that even with under 150,000 miles the drivetrain could be in need of expensive repair. If you can't get down there to look at it, see if another member could.

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1982 300DT 190K (Diesel Purge + synthetic oil=smoothness at last!!!)
2004 Ford E-350 6.0 L PSD 227K
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW HO Cummins 4X4 48RE 42K (brute force tow vehicle)
2005 Scion xB wife's rolling pop can
1993 GMC Sierra C3500 6.2 142K

It's always a bit of a gamble to buy a car sight unseen. As a dyed-in-the-wool Diesel fan (who also happens to live close to you), I have bought and sold quite a few W123 Diesels. I have bought my daughter's 240D for an honest $100, and I have sold a super low mileage 240D for $15,4K and several others for more than $12K.

That said . . . I don't see anything that would personally turn me off (aside from my personal preference that I would NEVER want to own a car that has a California license plate starting with a digit higher than "3"; this one would get a "5"). Paint . . . yes, you'll have to spent about $1,5K on a nice paint job, but that's no biggie. Other than that . . . a turbo 300D, with good color combo for that kind of money . . . not a bad deal at all!

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Bernard
Ventura, Calif.

My current Diesels:
1995 Mercedes E300D SE
1992 Dodge D250 Ram with Cummins Turbodiesel
1985 Mercedes 300CD Turbodiesel Coupe
1978 Mercedes 240D (daughter's 1st. car)

I have a feeling that the wood trim on the glove box will fall off after a couple of bumps in the road. Thje dash is cracked and the stickers on the window switchs are worn off. Obviously the paint and the dings. Also look at the exterior vent directly in front of the passenger side front windshield,,, looks like a couple slots are missing.

How do these people ever get the engine compartment so clean?

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Closing the store
Benzbonz.biz on your smart phone or tablet.

Remember, a lot of the stuff mentioned above and in other posts are what makes this around a $2K car, and not higher. I wouldn't pay that much for that car, but that is more a product of my cheapness and financial situation. I also would never own one that is a dark color. I park mine outside, and the dust and stuff is simply way too visible with a dark color.
I wouldn't want to pay for paint and repairs, and also find out the front end is trashed. You need to find out some of these issues.

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

where is the turbo at? i dont think the 617 engines had an air cleaner like that unless it was non-turbo.

It's under the air cleaner. You can see the black u-tube towards the front that goes to the turbo inlet.