You missed the part about the busted ass interior. I'd consider $500.

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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

Not true. I have also bought better Mercedes for $500 ($400 actually )

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

I know there are some great deals out there. you just have to be in the right place at the right time.





Freesil was named that because the PO told me to come and get her as they are downsizing to move in with their son to help raise their granddaughters. PO drove it to work and the car has been in the family (2 owners) since purchased by one son new in 1983.

Being a work DD it was filthy and so was the engine compartment, but these show she cleaned up really well.

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1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.

I see drivable or minor issue 123's and 126's go for between $500 and $1k on a weekly basis here (SF Bay Area, CA). It is not a rare phenomenon. The prices actually seem to be dropping with the hike in fuel prices.

I even saw a well maintained euro manual 240d with under 200k miles (it was in KM, can't remember the exact mileage, but actually think it was under 200KM) on CL for $1800 last week! That one is gone now of course, but I see lots of good deals come and go... of course I have no money right now, and when I do, there will be nothing

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This 300sd has been on this dealer's lot for months, not selling. The dealer says they bought it for resale, 1 week later it wouldn't start.

The engine might be shot.

Just because a used car dealer says it started a week ago does not mean that it started a week ago.

The last post is a possibility. Used car dealers are what they are and will do whatever it takes to move it out. If you can nail down a cheap enough price subject to a mechanic having a real look at it you might prevail. Start with a compression check if the glow plugs are active and you have fuel.

Its got to be really cheap or look other places. A non driver can have tons of issues other than not running. Optimisim is not always a good thing. Plan for the worst like they are covering a totalled transmission by disabling the engine.

The mechanic will cost you some money yet may save your posterior. In theory the current safe price is what an auto wrecker will give you for it plus say 50.00. I will buy a non runner myself but I know what I am looking for. On this basis you cannot really lose much but a little time. Do not get sucked in.

I also noted on the dealers web page, that they had a "mechanic on the premise". Guess he is not well versed in diesel motors, but any mechanic worth his salt would have a basic knowledge of fuel lines, and changed out the fuel filter, and made sure that clean fuel was getting to the engine. Might have taken him about an hour of work at most. If they are asking $2500 for a non-running vehicle, it should be worth at least another $1000 in running condition. Sounds like the dealer is giving you a song and dance regarding the information about the car running, and then going down for the count. As other posters have said, if you can get it for around $800-1000 as is, at least it gives you some leeway if it turns out to need more extensive work. Good luck.....

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96 E300d

i bought mine for $400. Car ran good and felt tight for sitting. I got it cheap because it had a lot of rust repair which im doin now.

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

If it won't run, it's a parts car as far as negotiations with the seller. It could have a bad engine, trans or who knows what. Never fix a car where it sits unless you have title in hand. The price may shoot up if you do. If it is so easy to get started, let them get it started. It wouldn't bring much at an auction OR salvage yard. Yard owner near here says he buys them for $250. Dealers don't fall in love with any vehicle. Offer to take it off his hands at cost or a little more & it will likely be yours. You'll have to guess at what the price is because dealers are experts at the "don't care game".

Here is what you can get in the right place at the right time:



$750

Non-running, engine is dead (well...it "ran" and could "move" but it was eating as much oil as diesel and the motor/trans were dripping allll over when it was on...) and trans has 313k on it, however, we're swapping in a far younger motor and trans (about 160k on them) Tomorrow!!!!

It has never seen winter. New W140 wheels, tires, euro lights + a spare set of lenses....radar detector....brand new trailer hitch, the list goes on. It was a heck of a deal.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I live in st.louis and saw that listing too. I was going to go take a look at it, but I have enough projects already and dont want another money pit.

No start = no test drive.

No test drive = I dont know if the tranny shifts, vacuum leaks, differential whine, how the suspension drives, no blowby test, alternator works, A/C works, etc.

I dont know if the tranny shifts, vacuum leaks, differential whine, how the suspension drives, no blowby test, alternator works, A/C works, etc. = another money pitt.

I could buy it and part it out OR

Rig it to run and EBAY IT! Veggie car, gets 40mpg, 1 million mile motor, $8,000 no reserve. Sorry I couldnt resist...