Purchasing a W123 Need Help
 

Hi,
Today I went to look at a nice 1985 300D Turbo Diesel.The car has only 85,000 on it.The owner now has owned it since it was 1 year old (second owner).The color combination is very nice almost a darker desert silver over a brownish-red interior.The car is all original.The radio needs a new antenna,the a/c needs to be converted,and possibly new shocks and a little brake work are needed.Other than that the car seemed great.No rust,original paint,it was in one accident involving the door,the owner doesnt remember if it the mouldings and everything were pulled out or replaced and a spot on the fender was fixed.The car started right away,no smoke.My main questions are,how much would it cost to get the a/c converted and working?Also,how much should I offer for the car?
-Thanks

Also,just like to ad that $6500 is the asking price.
-Thanks

I think the asking price is fair but it doesn't hurt to offer a few hundred less.
Why convert the A/C? They're better off running R12 as they are intended to.
You can still find R12 for sale occasionally on Craigslist.

$6500 sounds like a good deal for such low miles.

I agree though, keep the R12.

How much does R12 tend to usually cost?Can this be found in Pep Boys or other auto places?Can I do the refill myself?

Only place to get R12 is from private parties or repair shops.

Don't convert it to R134. It cools better with R12, and the system itself was designed for that application.

The biodiesel crzed has stiffened the prices on these but that is a little high I think, maybe you could hammer the guy a little bit on the price. Probably not too much. If it's a rust and accident free car with records, probably worth it to get it.

Get it!
 

My '85 cost $5900 a year and a half ago; it had 207,000 miles and needed (as I found out) $2000 worth of work. It's still one of the best late-model 123s I've ever seen. Anything less than 100,000 miles is "brand new."

Leave the a/c the way it is. Keep the car as original as possible. My mechanic says he can get R12 just as easily as R134 and the system works better since it was designed to use that refrigerant. If you are determined to convert, however, better budget $1000-2000 and you need a license to do it yourself. Not difficult to get, some on this forum have gotten a license, just one more piece of the puzzle.

Yea,I looked at Ebay and found 6 bottles of R12 going for $35.The car was involved in one accident to the door.The car needs a little work and the owner says he has service records.I dont know how much service records,as I didnt look at them.What should I offer him?

I just checked something,are my W126's (1989 420SEL and 1991 350SDL)are they using R12 right now?

All use R12

Alright,now that I have learned about the R12 system,how much should I offer him?

I would start with $4k and probably not go over $5k... but if u really want the car.......:rolleyes:

Much of it is relative to how much interest he is getting and how long its been for sale....

Ask to take it to your mechanic, get him to quote on every repair he finds -- shocks, brakes, whatever (even if you plan to do the work yourself). You now have a reason to knock down the asking price without upsetting the seller. "Gee, I'd like to give you X but my mechanic says it will cost Y to fix the problems..." Then negotiate from there. The mechanic will also keep you from buying a problem you didn't notice yourself.

Jeremy is giving you good advice.

This was a great car in 1985, but it is also 22 years old now. There should be some room for negotiation, especially if your trusted mechanic can explain to you what is needed.


and as for your comment: "the a/c needs to be converted"

I would think long and hard before changing to R134a. I have done this TWICE and have spent over $4000 on two cars and neither is chilling me at all. I live in Miami, where it is now 90º F every day, and 90% humidity as well. I would check out what Dieselgiant.com and others on this noble forum have to say.

R-12 is available and is what this car was designed for. If the system is not leaking, don't change it. R134a is less efficient and more prone to leaks.