Looking at a 1985 300CD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Huck · #1 01-23-2008, 05:51 PM

I have found a 85' 300CD Turbo that is going to need some work. The major work is minor rust bubbling under the paint on rockers on passenger side. Patch is approx 2" by 1" in 2 spots. Minor rust around one jack point, A rust hole in trunk about 2" diameter. The A/C needs work but the compressor is not locked up. The door locks have vacuum issues(will not work). The pass side window motor is bad but has power to it. The Driver's side rear window doesn't work. The sunroof does work and does not leak. It has 150K on it. The dash is cracked in 2 spots(long cracks). The rear glass is good and the car has a good to very good overall outward appearance. The interior is fair. The engine runs very good with new glow plugs and relay. One of the transmission lines is weeping so it will need to be replaced. Other than that leak there appear to be no oil leaks. The car starts right up and drives very nice. It will need two rear tires but I will replace the rims and tires if I get it. What would be a ballpark offer on this car?

Huck

JackG · #2 01-23-2008, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck

I have found a 85' 300CD Turbo that is going to need some work. The major work is minor rust bubbling under the paint on rockers on passenger side. Patch is approx 2" by 1" in 2 spots. Minor rust around one jack point, A rust hole in trunk about 2" diameter. The A/C needs work but the compressor is not locked up. The door locks have vacuum issues(will not work). The pass side window motor is bad but has power to it. The Driver's side rear window doesn't work. The sunroof does work and does not leak. It has 150K on it. The dash is cracked in 2 spots(long cracks). The rear glass is good and the car has a good to very good overall outward appearance. The interior is fair. The engine runs very good with new glow plugs and relay. One of the transmission lines is weeping so it will need to be replaced. Other than that leak there appear to be no oil leaks. The car starts right up and drives very nice. It will need two rear tires but I will replace the rims and tires if I get it. What would be a ballpark offer on this car?

Huck

Huck, there is a nice 82 300cd for sale in the cars section, RUST FREE, and ready to go.......$2500. If you are looking, you can't say no to that

Huck · #3 01-23-2008, 07:06 PM

I can buy the 85 for less than that how does that sound? Are there any differences in the 300 CD turbo cars. What year did the turbo start?

Huck

TylerH860 · #4 01-23-2008, 07:16 PM

A 1985 CDT is a very desireable car; really nice ones with that mileage regularly sell for 6-8 grand, mostly in Cali. I'm not sure about the demand in your area for the car, but its safe to say a really nice, low mileage example would likely sell in that 6-8 range. Given the amount of mechanical work involved with this car up to snuff, and the rough cosmetics, you've got a 2-3 grand car. Fair interior (meaning needing new front seats and dash I'm guessing), A/C work, rust, and other random issues will make it pretty expensive to get it up to that price point. The rust is the biggest issue, it seems to be in non-visalbe easy fix areas, so you may make out ok.

I'm guessing that the owners know how much these cars sell for in California and are asking alot more. What are they asking? Any pictures?

TylerH860 · #5 01-23-2008, 07:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck

I can buy the 85 for less than that how does that sound? Huck

If the interior isn't destroyed, paint decent, and rust contained in those areas, you've probably got a nice buy there. Be sure to get it looked at, if your not a mechanic.

1985 is the best year for these cars, performance wise, and the coupe is the most desireable body style.

Huck · #6 01-23-2008, 10:06 PM

The interior is not destroyed it is all there with no rips in any seat or door panel. The carpet is fair to good. The rear seats are nice. The headliner is good but dirty. The sunroof works and is fine. The paint is good except for the two rust bubbles by the passenger rear 1/4. The A/C has started to be converted but not finished(whatever that means). Two windows need motors or regulators and the vacuum tree is teed off in the engine compartment so the car will cut off. The dash is not good(two large cracks) but the rest is fine and all works. Here is a link to the pics.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=14w0dnm6.1wnie6a2&Uy=t47uty&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0

Huck

vstech · #7 01-23-2008, 10:20 PM

81 was the first year for the cd, and the td for the turbo. 82 first year for the d and 78 for the SD

TylerH860 · #8 01-23-2008, 11:40 PM

I had rust in the same areas on the fenders of the SL; I had a body shop completely replace both front fenders, spray, blend, and clear. It cost about $1800.00. This may seem like alot, but I wanted it done correctly so I don't have to deal with it again. The jack point picture scares me a bit, dunno about that.

It looks like a leather interior, most of us have MBTex vinyl. Though I do think its more common to have leather in Coupes. Someone will know.

Very cool color combo, dig the chrome bundts. If are replacing them let me know, I will certainly buy them from you if they're in good shape.

Its a sharp car; nice little driver quality car.

What are you going to do?

TylerH860 · #9 01-23-2008, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

Wagons are more desirable.

Hmm... perhaps your right. I always thought coupes brought the big bucks, but I suppose I've seen some wagons sell for crazy amounts too.

Huck · #10 01-24-2008, 12:27 AM

I am making offer of $2K tomorrow morning and we'll see what happens. The rust in the jack point and underneath bothers me too. I have a guy from Honduras that can do my body work pretty cheap though. He can fix anything as he didn't have new parts there he had to fix what he had. He quoted me about $600. I figure I'll have 6K into it by the time I'm done fixing the a/c, vacuum system for locks. I'll probably just put a dash cover on it. I did talk to just dashes and they said $1200 to totally restore it. Seems high to me. Will keep you guys informed tomorrow.

Huck

TylerH860 · #11 01-24-2008, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Huck

88' 930 Turbo Cabriolet

Huck

drool...

My dad had a 1986 930 turbo coupe when I was a kid. He bought her in 1995 with 4k on it and sold it 3 years later with 6k on it.

you've got a nice fleet.

Bama1 · #12 01-24-2008, 08:10 AM

A number of parts on the Coupes are NOT interchangeable with the w123 sedan. Soo be sure to research and confirm the right application for a part particularly if you are considering any used parts or trading on-line, ebay, fastcar, craigslist, etc.

Understand that some of the body parts, windshield & seals, and the interiors are not compatable swaps.

motor on

chasinthesun · #13 01-24-2008, 11:45 AM

I concur bama ,i located what I thought was a matching color rear seat upper out of a 83 300d in my need for a quick fix for my 85 300cd ,it was in excellent shape. The local yard also had a 300cd that was in disrepair so i was able to compare the 2 their at the yaRD BEFORE PURCHASE .iTS not a match at all ,the coupes have a shorter length frame ,bummer.Well I bought it anyway hoping I could find an upholstery shop could use it to make her new again. If Im not mistaken ,these coupes came with leather interior ,not mbtex.The mbtex could out live leather any day.

vstech · #14 01-24-2008, 01:11 PM

I disagree.
Leather COULD outlast any vinyl IF it is properly maintained... problem is, nobody ever conditions or cleans their leather.
too bad, properly conditioned, leather could outlast the MOTOR!!!

rrgrassi · #15 01-24-2008, 01:41 PM

That jacking point rust is a major concern. Pull the carpen panels out also and check the floor pans.