'87 300SDL dilemma - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

matthias08 · #1 11-01-2007, 03:58 PM

ok.

so I currently have a '79 240D w/ 228,000 that i purchased all of 3 months ago...

the car needs a restoration, but I'm a senior in HS & need to have a project that can double as a daily driver...
the car is great esp. w/ the 4 speed...
but the rust is starting to worry me when i'm driving it daily.
our local benz dealer is sitting on this 87 300sdl that was traded in also in august... its tripple grey && in amazing shape
the only rust is on the surface of the body unlike my car which has pan issues along with frame/wheel well rust

.

the dealership wants $2500

for the car... && it drives freaking amazing...
but the issue is it has... :: gasp :: 528,696 miles on it (1 owner)
yes... I meant to hit a 5

interior is mint... only thing it needs right away is both front windows refuse to stay up... what ever that takes to fix the problem?!?

um... should I go for it just because its a piece of history, and fun while at it... or try and get it cheaper
or pass it up completely and hope my 240 survives w/o breaking in 2

HELP!!!!

please email me or IM me

AIM~mattmcivor
matthew_mcivor@yahoo.com

Wodnek · #2 11-01-2007, 04:21 PM

For being junk, i sure see alot of high miles 603 engines!

Condition rather than mileage must be considered. The 126 is a timeless design. You will lose at most 5 mpg over the 240. you would have a more complex car with more systems to break down, but have a car that will cruise with no effort down the highway and keep up with modern traffic.

The 240 is as simple of a car as you can find.

A tough choice to be sure.

cnev300d · #3 11-01-2007, 06:30 PM

Don't pay the dealer's asking price. Find out how much he can lower it. I'm sure he doesn't want an older car sitting around on his lot.

Hatterasguy · #4 11-01-2007, 09:25 PM

I'd buy it, for $1,500. The dealer is never going to sell it at that price, wave $1,500 cash in front of them and they will probably bite.

At that mileage it could be in decent shape. The trans and front end might be pretty recent. The engine will go a long time, the timing chain was probably done. I'd just pop the valve cover take a look at everything and measure stretch.

I think the 602/3/6 series has a stronger bottom end than the old 616/617's. But I'll get flammed for that. All I know is damn near every 616/617 I see has a ton of blow by, and I have yet to see a 602/3/6 that does.

Hit Man X · #5 11-01-2007, 11:27 PM

603.

Brian Carlton · #6 11-02-2007, 12:44 AM

I wouldn't purchase a vehicle with 500K on the clock unless it has maintenance records. If it's the original engine, it's toast at that mileage.........no matter how you think it drives.

If it's the original transmission (damn near impossible), it's got two miles left until it $hits the bed. Even if it's been replaced at 250K, it still has two miles left..............

It's not worth $1500. without some knowledge of the engine and transmission.

Skid Row Joe · #7 11-02-2007, 01:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthias08

ok.

so I currently have a '79 240D w/ 228,000 that i purchased all of 3 months ago...

HELP!!!!

You don't need HELP, you need to train yourself early on not to buy every used car you see. Buying another used car every few months is a good way to stay broke the rest of your life. You can only drive one car at a time anyway, why would you need two? The '79 240D has low-miles on it, and is as bulletproof a diesel ever made.

You're only a senior in high school. If you'd invest any extra money you earn, and buy common stock and mutual funds, you'd be a gajllionaire when you're in your 30s, and able to pay cash for a brand new MB every year if you want to.

Anyway, that's what worked for me, except I got a late start buying stocks in my early 20s. 30 years later........yup, I pay cash for a new MB anytime I please.

Just my Rx.

Brian Carlton · #8 11-02-2007, 01:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

I'd buy it, for $1,500. The dealer is never going to sell it at that price, wave $1,500 cash in front of them and they will probably bite.

Ahh.......you already bought one with less than one-half the posted mileage and have dumped over $12K into it............and you conclude that a vehicle with more than twice the mileage is going to be a good value for this fellow at $1500??

LaRondo · #9 11-02-2007, 01:16 AM

Uhhh, that's a tough lesson.

Brian Carlton · #10 11-02-2007, 01:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LaRondo

Uhhh, that's a tough lesson.

Apparently, the lesson wasn't learned.............

LaRondo · #11 11-02-2007, 01:42 AM

It's not that simple. It took me many years and many vehicles to learn the difference picking a good used one from a nightmare.
I paid my dues as well, when I was young, money went out rapidly, to say the least.
It helps a lot to operate in a climate where rust is not an issue, that's one thing less to worry.

LaRondo · #12 11-02-2007, 01:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthias08

ok.

so I currently have a '79 240D w/ 228,000 that i purchased all of 3 months ago...

the car needs a restoration, but I'm a senior in HS & need to have a project that can double as a daily driver...
the car is great esp. w/ the 4 speed...
but the rust is starting to worry me when i'm driving it daily.
our local benz dealer is sitting on this 87 300sdl that was traded in also in august... its tripple grey && in amazing shape
the only rust is on the surface of the body unlike my car which has pan issues along with frame/wheel well rust

.

the dealership wants $2500

for the car... && it drives freaking amazing...
but the issue is it has... :: gasp :: 528,696 miles on it (1 owner)
yes... I meant to hit a 5

interior is mint... only thing it needs right away is both front windows refuse to stay up... what ever that takes to fix the problem?!?

um... should I go for it just because its a piece of history, and fun while at it... or try and get it cheaper
or pass it up completely and hope my 240 survives w/o breaking in 2

HELP!!!!

please email me or IM me

AIM~mattmcivor
matthew_mcivor@yahoo.com

The SDL is a completely different ballpark, esp. the cost factor anticipating powertrain repair at such a high mileage.
The W123 doesn't just fall apart or break in 2 because of rust in the wheel wells. I doubt your frame is affected that severely.
Try to keep that 240 running, in a few years down the road you will know why this is most likely the more rational choice.

Hit Man X · #13 11-02-2007, 05:15 AM

Wait, I missed the 500k blip.

No records? I'd let them pay you $1500 for it.

matthias08 · #14 11-02-2007, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

Wait, I missed the 500k blip.

No records? I'd let them pay you $1500 for it.

i recieved a phonecall last night from the dealership.
the car was purchased new there (Bob Ross Mercedes - Dayton) && the same owner traded it in Mid August 07... 99.9% of any work/service was done @ the dealership also.
I've got the name and number of origional owner, and also have a 4:00 appointment today to check out the HUGE folder of service records.
i was told the tranny was replaced @ 325

my parents are thinking about waving 1G infront of their face and seeing if they'll take it.

if anything we could use this one to get the other one back up to snuff.

matthias08 · #15 11-02-2007, 12:08 PM

so, i just got bored... and decided to walk around my car a bit... i knew like the wheel wells had been patched w/ fiberglass && that insta patch sheet **** used for like floors then coated w/ something that never stopped being tacky and tar like... but ya... i took a magnet to my car... like all the way around it... my poor 240 is more body filler than anything...
i'll take pictures of all the rust and stuff for ya right now. you'll laugh your asses off

that's clearly why i want to get rid of it...

so my mother is the one that found this car, paid for it, then gave it to me as a "gift" haha. thats why i have it, b/c if i would have looked it over. it wouldn't be mine right now. lol