Well if you are saving $6600 a year thats not so bad, figure on putting half that back in it every year for awhile. Once you figure out how to fix it yourself you can cut that number down. The

With old cars such as these, be it MB, Jag, Rolls, or even a Ferrari...cheap to buy doesn't translate to cheap to own.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Not all of the people on this thread are mechanically inclined, myself included. I can trust myself to fix minor issues that pop up, but any major work, such as an AC compressor or oil cooler lines, I let my indy take care of. I like having the peace of mind and guarantee that the job is done right, and don't have the time to spend hours under the hood.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

oK, I just read this entire post and everyone's rantings about how you could save another grand if you were good at buying w123 style mercedes benzes and had been doing it for the past 4 years.

If you have faith in your ability to learn and appreciate something that will surely become a hobby and a fulfilling past time, you are set.

Structurally comprimising rust is the end. Learning to weld or make friends with the right people is the beginning.

Buying this car was an act of impulsive emotions which very few, if any, are able to overcome. Human Nature. The car cost what it cost and it sounds like you already have palns to recoupe that loss. I am from the east cost and still visit often, my sister lives in Boston. The trends for biofuel and greasecars are not as overwhelming elswhere in the country (ie, Frisco) - you should make out well.

Appreciate your impulsive nature and learn to cope with the comprimises, you have entered a new phase of existence. We guarantee it will be more challenging than the last.

And if it is any consolation, I am in the hole 6k$$ AND... AND I need to remove my engine to rebuild it.

Wow..I should work for Hallmark... Best of luck

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Good point, I do very little of my own "heavy" work, although I could if it was my idea of fun. A good indy can keep one of these cars in good shape for around $1000 per year once you get past the initial "differed maintenance" issues. Regardless of the initial cost, almost any car you buy will need a couple $1000 worth of work to reach a good starting point. After that, it's just a matter of keeping up.

There are plenty of decent looking cars for $2-3000 (depending on the part of the country) that are drivable, but will still have issues. If you want to buy one of those and drive it into the ground, you can do that. If you buy one and take it to your indy, you will find that is still needs a couple $1000 worth of work (that's OK, it may still be a good deal). In any event, plan on spending about $5-6000 including the purchase price and the initial work to make everything correct, and don't buy anything with rust.

Rantings? Not a real accurate word to choose.

Don't quit your day job!

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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

LOL. Would this be considered a "crotchety" reply?

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

crotchety i like that one

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commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)

You are right, I think I took everyone's responses a little personally b/c I am identifying with the new owner.

What I meant was..

rantings = 'well-meaning personal reactions of guidance and support based on years of experience'

but they are all still opinions.. and there is no way to answer the OP's question w/o opining.

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Just wondering if the OP decided what they were going to do with this car yet?

I paid $550 for my current car and sold the transmission for $150.

Of course I'm in around 3g on parts and what not, but thats ok.

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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

The law is not so simple, actually it reads:

"The Used Vehicle Warranty Law requires private party sellers to inform buyers about any and all known defects which impair the safety or substantially impair the use of the vehicle. The law applies to all private party sales regardless of sales price or mileage. If you discover a defect that impairs the vehicle’s safety or substantially impairs the use, and can prove that the seller knew about the defect but failed to disclose it, you may cancel the sale within thirty days of purchase. The seller must refund the amount you paid for the vehicle, less 15 cents per mile of use."

My read on it is you have to prove they knew about the defects and failed to disclose them...very hard to prove this unless you can find their mechanic and have him say he told them what was wrong with it.

Still, if the seller will take it back and refund your money you should take it back. You'll be into that car for over $7,000 before you are done with it and you can buy a really nice one for that money. In fact, I would sell you my 300SD for $8K and it is flawless and in near showroom condition

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Marty D.

2013 C300 4Matic
1984 BMW 733i
2013 Lincoln MKz

OK, we called the seller back, and he is going to refund us the price of the car, and take it back. After hearing what everyone had to say (even if some of it was very pointed), and doing a little more research, I decided that you guys are really right, the rust really is way too much. The hole was what cinched it for me.

The previous owner has decided to part out the car, and I have to tell you, it hurts to see one go that way, but I don't think that there is a better option for it right now, given the state of the body.

I do not, however, bow to the idea that if I can't fix one of these cars myself I have "no business buying one." We have a lot of help, little fear, and a good local independent mechanic (The Benz Den in Belmont, MA). We are looking at another one tonight, an '85 300D with 184K, and no rust (though I'll leave that determination to the pre-purchase mechanic). Though he wants slightly more for it ($3200), if it is all he says it is, I think it's a good price.

We've learned our lesson, and will not be buying another car without getting it checked out first. I want to thank everyone who posted on this thread. You were all a huge help, and the discussion allowed me to make a difficult decision. I'll post pictures of the car we eventually end up with.

I agree that you can drive one of these without doing the work yourself, it just costs a little more. The trick is to have a good independent shop that will treat you fairly, and understanding what you are getting into.

Cost is relative, but if your thinking monetarily, I suppose you are correct. It all comes down to what each person considers recreation, and how valuable their time is. My time, as a college student, is certainly not as valuable, but I do not consider wrenching on my car a fun way to spend a weekend. The sense of accomplishment at the end is a rush for sure, but its often hard work.

*edit* I would rather mess around with my W123 over yard work any day. Now that is miserable labor!

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Good point, but IMO it depends on the job. Some wrenching is actually fun, and some is a messy PITA. At this point, I do the stuff I enjoy and let my indy take care of the messy stuff, and the stuff that's too much of a PITA without a lift. Some jobs can be done in a relatively short amount of time and do not require you to commit the entire weekend, those are the fun jobs.