How much should I pay? 1995 300D 136K -- opinions wanted - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1stimer · #1 01-14-2009, 05:51 PM

Hi. I sold my 1984 300D about 2 years ago. I needed a car when I moved back to California and couldn't find a nice diesel before I NEEDED a car, so I ended up purchasing a 1997 Nissan Maxima. I don't like the car, and it has left me stranded now on 3 seperate occasions with an intermittent no crank. By the time the tow truck arrives it starts, but I have had it.

I talked to a Benz mechanic who has a 1995 that he said he planned on keeping for his wife, but has ended up purchasing a ML diesel for her. Anyway....he says that it had 131K when he bought it from the original owner and it now has 136K. We talked about typical problem areas and he says he has replaced the wiring harness, the evaporator, glow plugs, actuators, fuel relay ??? (maybe), and various other things. He assures me the car needs nothing. What do you guys think would be a a ballpark dollar amount to spend for this car? I will get a PPI done by an impartial 3rd party before purchasing. Will the '95 be similar in performance to my old '84 turbo? Any other things that I should be looking for. I have never owned a w124. Thanks for the advice.

TMAllison · #2 01-14-2009, 06:28 PM

$6k and to include installation of a new CPS in the Maxima so you can dump it.

The 95 and 84 will have similar off the line performance.

1stimer · #3 01-14-2009, 06:37 PM

Thanks....I think he's going to be asking well above 6K. I know cars are worth what someone is willing to pay, but I think he is going to be looking for closer to 8 or 9K. Way too much???

CPS in the Maxima, huh??? Tell me more. I have had the rack replaced, all new kyb struts, strut mount, full brakes all the way around, starter, valve cover gasket, power steering pump, and a few other minor things all in the first 18 months that I've owned it. It is perfect except for this intermittent no crank. Very frustrating. Dealer couldn't diagnose a problem couple of weeks ago, and then stranded again today for over an hour. This is usually what happens, and how people get good deals on cars when the owner (me) just get fed up. The smartest thing to do is figure out this no crank and drive it until it dies because of all the money I have into it, but It's hard to keep putting money into something you don't love....or even like. Venting over....any more pricing and opinions on the '95 diesels?

TMAllison · #4 01-14-2009, 06:49 PM

If you are patient you can get a W210 for $8-10.....The W124 is a nice car. Well thought of; the W210 is nicer. I've had both.

The CPS fault is classic. Gets hot, stops transmitting signal and timing/inj is lost. Cools off 10 minutes to an hour, works again. Repeats until one day it fails completely.

babymog · #5 01-14-2009, 06:55 PM

but didn't he say no crank?

POS · #6 01-14-2009, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimer

I talked to a Benz mechanic who has a 1995 that he said he planned on keeping for his wife, but has ended up purchasing a ML diesel for her. Anyway....he says that it had 131K when he bought it from the original owner and it now has 136K. We talked about typical problem areas and he says he has replaced the wiring harness, the evaporator, glow plugs, actuators, fuel relay ??? (maybe), and various other things. He assures me the car needs nothing.

I'd pay $8000 for it because it had the wiring harness ($800), the evaporator ($3000), and the glow plugs replaced ($800 IF they come out easy). Those are all the biggies that can go wrong with the car, except for the tranny, and those trannys are known to fail from 100k to 150k - many go well over 200k.

Ask him if he'll warranty the evaporator for a year or two, get the tranny inspected closely by a tranny shop (open the pan), and with all the expensive things done on that car, I'd think $8000 is good. You can buy a '95 E300 diesel with 136k miles on it for $6000-$7000, but it won't have all that expensive stuff already done. It's worth paying more for it.

matthias08 · #7 01-14-2009, 08:52 PM

i just paid 9995, 11,600 after tax title plates ect. w/ harness done, evap, brakes, tires, power seat repaired, the fixed headliner sag, & gave me 4 free oil changes *purchased from MB dealer*

total creampuff @ 108xxx... literally. one door dimple on the ENTIRE car.

i almost purchased a 210 E420 from a family friend... but it had ALL the problems that sometimes happen in 210s. :/

i love it(124) thus far.

1stimer · #8 01-15-2009, 10:15 AM

Thanks for the replies guys. How can I tell if those big ticket items have been replaced? Warranty on the evap would be great. He says he'll know next week aboout the car. Seems like it should be for sale or not. I didn't even ask why he needed until next week. I'm going to print this out and show it to him, so any more opinions are appreciated.

As for the maxima. It seems like a dead starter. there is nothing when it happens. Starter tests good. Dealer found alternator producing "excessive ripple" when charging, but did not advise replacement. Stated they need more information to diagnose the no-start problem.

JimmyL · #9 01-15-2009, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1stimer

As for the maxima. It seems like a dead starter. there is nothing when it happens. Starter tests good. Dealer found alternator producing "excessive ripple" when charging, but did not advise replacement. Stated they need more information to diagnose the no-start problem.

Please refer to post 4......

KarTek · #10 01-15-2009, 10:44 AM

On the "crank" issue, I've found that people here in the South say "crank" when they're meaning "to fire". Many times, I have to clarify and ask: "When you say it won't crank, do you mean nothing happens when you twist the key or does it spin and just not fire?"

1stimer · #11 01-26-2009, 04:55 PM

Well, I never received a call back from the mechanic, and after thinking it over I just can't see paying 8-9k for a '95 w124 300D. I bet I could get into a nice w210 gasser (maybe???) for that kind of cash. The Maxima hasn't acted up again, and from what I'm reading on the maxima forum the CPS gives a crank, but no start. The V6 in the maxima is nice, and we talk about reliability in the MB's, but the '97 maxima is pushing 170K on it's original tranny and engine.

babymog · #12 01-26-2009, 05:33 PM

Yes you can get a nice gasser for that, gassers of that vintage go for about half of a diesel.

TylerH860 · #13 01-26-2009, 05:40 PM

Yes, you can get a 94-95 E320 with half the mileage for less. While it would have the same issues, secondary bits won't be as worn out. Front end, tranny, and other use wearing parts would be in better shape. If you find one, be sure to ask if the head gasket has been replaced. If not, deduct $1500. Other than that, its about the same as a 94-95 E300... wiring harness, evaporator...

I found my '95 E320 for cheap, but had to do the head gasket immediately. It wouldn't be too hard to find a well sorted example for under 5 grand.

1stimer · #14 02-03-2009, 12:55 AM

RE: The Maxima in case anyone is following. It was the starter. The replacement was bad. Dealer tested it and said it was good, so I don't understand. Got a new one put in last Friday. Everything great then it died while driving tonight. Alternator replaced just now. Every time I put money into this car it hurts a little more. It is fun, though. AND... it's the price you have to pay to drive without a car payment every month.

I'm still thinking about selling it, but I can't see getting a w124 diesel anymore. I fit better in the w123, but I have yet to drive a w210. Looks like I can get into a 2002 E430 with under 70K for ~12K. What do you guys think of that car? A gasser just seems to make more sense right now, and I love my friend's V8 in his '94 S420. I'm just scared of the W140. Would the 210 be similar in maintenance costs to a w140? Thanks for reading.