85 300D on fleebay very nice and $$$ - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dmorrison · #1 07-03-2007, 04:46 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-300-Series-TURBO-DIESEL-1985-MERCEDES-BENZ-300D-LOW-MILEAGE-DIESEL-w-RECORDS_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ6330QQihZ011QQitemZ320132427418QQrdZ1

Looks very nice. Just found it through a "Mercedes" search.

Very pricey. Only a few things seem wrong.

Dash wood trim is lighter than center console trim, probably redone.

Green stuff in the radiator overflow tank.

Seems to sit a little high, or its the lack of undercoating and the wheel well color

Car has been repainted. Notice the rear tire fender area. The body paint color did not extend onto the rocker panel.

But it is a good job, looks very nice.

Dave

d.delano · #2 07-03-2007, 02:35 PM

that ain't nuthin

when I wash mine it looks just like that car

one more thing I see wrong- those aren't Michelins

the plastic covering on the door pillars aren't even shriveled up! That car's still in the wrapper as the shady car dealers say

rrgrassi · #3 07-03-2007, 03:26 PM

I want the triangle...

POS · #4 07-03-2007, 03:26 PM

$13,500? What are those guys smoking. Heck, my new '84 will clean up that nice too and it's got 113k one owner miles.

DubMutant · #5 07-03-2007, 04:05 PM

It is missing all of the MB Floor mats- front and back- it only has the rugs installed.
Also, I noticed that the wrong valve cover breather tube installed, and it may not be converted to R134/134A

This guy is definitely on something. Yes, the chrome is nice and shiny, but unless one intends to keep it in storage, that won't last for long.

Way overpriced. I'd say 10K tops.

Jeremy5848 · #6 07-03-2007, 04:32 PM

It is the Federal version, not California, so it was brought into the state, probably recently, given the high number on the license plate. This is probably the ideal 123, other than a stick-shift Euro model, with all of the improvements in the series and without the dratted trap catalyst.

Definitely repainted but seems a good job in the pictures (which are always suspect). The dash looks uncracked, a plus. The warning triangle in the trunk probably came with the European delivery. The valve cover breather tube looks like one I saw on a 126 but I'm not that familiar with the Federal version of this engine.

Overpriced yes, but if those are real bids and not shills, "a thing is worth what a willing buyer will pay a willing seller in the absence of fraud." Someone who doesn't want to go through all of the work that we do to fix up our cars may feel this is a reasonable price for something he/she can buy and take home and drive.

Actually, the problem with this car is not all of the cosmetic things but rather the mechanical items that wear out over 22 years regardless of miles -- suspension items, rubber items, cruise control and ACC electronics, etc.

I didn't see any comments about whether the cruise control works and the owner may or may not know enough about ACC II to know whether it really works as it is supposed to. As most of us have learned, there's a lot more to it than meets the eye.

The seller at least knows enough to mention the uncracked dash and the unwarped interior door moldings. Not a complete dunce.

techguy512 · #7 07-03-2007, 06:11 PM

There is no doubt that it's been painted. The rocker panels were likely also painted.....

d.delano · #8 07-03-2007, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DubMutant

It is missing all of the MB Floor mats- front and back- it only has the rugs installed.
Also, I noticed that the wrong valve cover breather tube installed, and it may not be converted to R134/134A

This guy is definitely on something. Yes, the chrome is nice and shiny, but unless one intends to keep it in storage, that won't last for long.

Way overpriced. I'd say 10K tops.

Huh? Missing all the floormats? Just get another set. I personally don't consider floormats to be a dealbreaker. Wrong valve cover breather tube? Incorrect- that's the upgraded part. Not converted to R134? Most people will agree that the w123 AC system is not designed for the higher refigerant pressure involved in an R134 conversion; furthermore R134 doesn't cool very well. The cars were never meant for R134, so I don't see this as a shortcoming. Wish mine still had the R12 in it.

Overpriced? You are definitely right about that. However I think all cars by definition are way overpriced. I'd rather pay 15k for a car like that than whatever I could get that's newer for the same price. I will say the car's worth it, I only wish I were closer I would seriously consider it. I'd have to fine-tooth-comb it of course.

Consider that decent cars now cost ~30k, and the clarity of what I am asserting will be unmistakeable. That car's almost perfect. I love it.

Brian Carlton · #9 07-03-2007, 07:00 PM

Yep, got to give him credit. I own a pair of three foot cars and one ten footer. He's got a four inch car there.

They aren't making any of them like that anymore.

It might be worth $15K to someone..........not I, however.

Jim B. · #10 07-03-2007, 07:39 PM

It is high priced, and better be perfect for that price, but it is probably VERY clean, and has all books and plenty of records, which are hard to find on cars that old. Probably no rust issues either, and it is the last year of the car, and the desirable Federal version.

By the license plate, I would guess that it probably came to Los Angeles around the later part of 2005.

Boardmonger · #11 07-03-2007, 09:57 PM

There is NO way this car has been repainted. Yes that one area is suspect, but look at your own 123. That area in the front of the rear wheelwell has a very thin undercoating, and just by looking at how clean the wells are, they used some intensive cleaners which probably wiped it right off. This car has clearly been garaged, probably from day 1. There is no fade in the interior at all. The needles are perfect, the rear shelf carpet isn't burnt at all- 99.9% are, and that wood looks just about perfect.

The number one evidence on a 123 is the front under-lip, below the bumper. The lowest part was painted black from the factory and EVERY 123 I've seen painted they omitted that fact and painted it body color. That is not the case on this car. If it was painted, it is at least a 5k job but it is highly unlikely.

The price may be high, but that is a prime example in wonderful shape. I'm guessing this one goes for 16.5k

RML · #12 07-03-2007, 10:00 PM

What a list of accessories!! "Two speed windshield wipers . . ., headlamp turn-off warning device, driver accessible rear dome light switch, parcel nets, illuminated vanity mirrors". I'll have to remember to list all this stuff if I ever sell my car, which will probably never happen.

lietuviai · #13 07-03-2007, 10:55 PM

Nice but waaaay too much. I bet we could spend half that and make our jalopies look as good.

MBeige · #14 07-03-2007, 11:08 PM

Beautiful example of a desirable w123 albeit a bit restored. Wonder why the radiator has been replaced, seems to have a tag, and the fan shroud doesn't have the stickers for the cooling system. Also what's that hole by the passenger front fender in the engine shots? Right in front of the blower resistor thingie. Mine is just painted but I can't determine if the one shown has a hole or is covered in black plastic?

It's definitely been repainted. A few nice mods would work well there. Rear headrests and E-code conversions come to mind.

Jeremy5848 · #15 07-04-2007, 12:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boardmonger

There is NO way this car has been repainted....The number one evidence on a 123 is the front under-lip, below the bumper. The lowest part was painted black from the factory and EVERY 123 I've seen painted they omitted that fact and painted it body color....

Zack, you are speaking of the center underlip, the part that the radiator drain comes through? I want to be sure I understand this -- mine is black and the rest of the underlip is body color. See photo.

What about the pinstriping? Mine lacks that, was not repainted as far as I know.

Jeremy