Honestly, honey, I wasn't looking for another car . . . - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RML · #1 07-26-2008, 03:06 PM

. . . but I couldn't pass this one up. A friend called to tell me about an 85 300D with 38K miles coming in on a trade-in at a local dealer. The car drives like a new car. There are a few paint nicks here and there but nothing major. The PO had cut out custom floor mats from some matching carpeting that you can see in one of the pictures. It came with a log book, the original window sticker, repair receipts, even paint charts and brochures the original owner looked at when he picked out the car. The warranty when new was for 48 months or 50K miles.

Just about a month ago I was working on my 84 300D which has 315K miles and found myself wishing that I knew what these felt and sounded like when they were new. I wasn't really serious but my inadvertant wish came true. I guess my logical excuse is that it made sense to buy something a little newer with less miles on it. Yeah, that works.

I do feel blessed to have this car.

pawoSD · #2 07-26-2008, 03:13 PM

Were has that car been for the past 20 years?! 38k?! wow.

LUVMBDiesels · #3 07-26-2008, 03:14 PM

Oh wow, that is a fine automobile!

As I said I am jealous, it is like a time capsukle from 1985! pop some Huey lewis in the cassette player and go cruise for Madonnawannabes

You should check all the things that can go bad from not being used, like hoses and other rubber parts.

If I can ask, how much did you pay for it? Your price should be the benchmark for low mileage cars

Oxnard guy · #4 07-26-2008, 03:38 PM

That's my car!! +220,000 miles

RML · #5 07-26-2008, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LUVMBDiesels

Oh wow, that is a fine automobile!

As I said I am jealous, it is like a time capsule from 1985! pop some Huey lewis in the cassette player and go cruise for Madonnawannabes

You should check all the things that can go bad from not being used, like hoses and other rubber parts.

If I can ask, how much did you pay for it? Your price should be the benchmark for low mileage cars

It does have the original cassette player. I am glad I didn't throw away my cassettes. The rubber looks good. It did not sit idle but was just not driven a lot. It was serviced regularly over the years. The A/C was updated to R134a in 2002. I am trying to understand from the receipts if the A/C system was replaced. It appears that way but I don't see the price on the receipts that would indicate this. It should have been a few thousand dollars. And why would you convert if there was not a problem?

As far as price, I feel like I got a bargain. It was $9,500. I mean, think about this. I just bought a practically new MB 300D for $9,500. The window sticker says $31,940. I was away on vacation when I got the call and based on my friends description and the fact that the dealer put the car in the showroom between a Rolls and a Bently, I called him back in a half hour to put a deposit on it. When I got back in town, the salesman told me that a collector came in and wanted to buy it. He relayed to me the if I wanted to sell it, the collector was offering $12K. I have seen a few mint cars with higher mileage go for over $15 on EBay lately.

One very small negative is that the car had been smoked in. Not real heavy but I could tell the third time I got in the car. Then I looked at the cigarette lighter and it was obvious that it had been used. I will take out the custom made carpet floor mats as these probably are holding some of the odor. There are probably some products available to wipe down the interior with that I can use. Other than that, it is immaculate.

argus445 · #6 07-26-2008, 04:21 PM

Amazing find looks brand new. and are those Aftermarket turn lights in front?

Jeremy5848 · #7 07-26-2008, 04:33 PM

Is that Smoke Silver Metallic paint? It looks like my '85 less 200,000 miles. Could you put some higher-res photos somewhere? Your car is a great reference to what they looked like when new, could be very helpful to a restorer or fixer-upper. DOn't enter any lotteries, you have used up all of your good luck with that one.

Jeremy

Flounder · #8 07-26-2008, 04:44 PM

So that's what a nice W123 looks like!

123Guy · #9 07-26-2008, 05:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Is that Smoke Silver Metallic paint? It looks like my '85 less 200,000 miles. Could you put some higher-res photos somewhere? Your car is a great reference to what they looked like when new, could be very helpful to a restorer or fixer-upper. DOn't enter any lotteries, you have used up all of your good luck with that one.

Jeremy

It looks like Anthricite Gray Metallic

RML · #10 07-26-2008, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 123Guy

It looks like Anthricite Gray Metallic

It is Anthracite Gray Metallic.

RML · #11 07-26-2008, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by argus445

Amazing find looks brand new. and are those Aftermarket turn lights in front?

Maybe you are thrown by the color. They do look gray but are original. I think it is the light. I took the pictures at sundown and the light was to the back of the car.

Actros617 · #12 07-26-2008, 08:21 PM

My 300SD is Anthracite Gray Metallic, but i have never seen a W123 with that color...By the way 9K is a great buy for 38K mi i see some on Ebay with 40K miles for $20K + IMO i would sell it make some serious dough...

RML · #13 07-26-2008, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Could you put some higher-res photos somewhere? Your car is a great reference to what they looked like when new, could be very helpful to a restorer or fixer-upper.Jeremy

I'd be glad to, Jeremy. PM me and explain how I might do that. My originals are all around 2Mb but I had to reduce them down to get them to attach.

Marty600 · #14 07-26-2008, 10:18 PM

Now, somehow, you have to "save" the car, IE, never drive it in snow/rain. Soon it will be the cleanest 300 in the USA. If you can minimize driving it, years from now you will be glad..drawback?..possessions 'possess'. I kept a mustang for 20 years, so I know the feeling..depends on where you are at in your life, i had 3 kids when i sold the 'stang, and they were the reason..now i want another, an 05+.
Side note: I watched a car like yours on ebay, it had 50k, last year. Went for 10k, so your buy was good, congrats!

dieselman · #15 07-26-2008, 10:24 PM

I don't feel so special with my new wagon anymore. That is a sweet 123!!!!