Thinking Of Buying 1982 300CD..Looking For Advice - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ah-kay · #16 03-21-2009, 11:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RafferMJ

Oh yeah, I asked the owner what kind of state the vacuum system was in as well and he said that the car did not have a vacuum system in it. Is this true? I was under the impression that it did from my browsing of the forums. I could easily have been mistaken. Also, the exhaust system was recently replaced as were the ball joints in the front shocks. Thanks!

I would run away from it. There are a lot of cars to be bought for $7000. The sluggishness of sun roof, the windows, A/C mean they are on the way out. The vacuum should work also.

cmbdiesel · #17 03-22-2009, 02:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

I would run away from it. There are a lot of cars to be bought for $7000. The sluggishness of sun roof, the windows, A/C mean they are on the way out. The vacuum should work also.

X2 find one cheaper. 7k should be buying you pristine, not neglected.

toomany MBZ · #18 03-22-2009, 05:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

I would run away from it. There are a lot of cars to be bought for $7000. The sluggishness of sun roof, the windows, A/C mean they are on the way out. The vacuum should work also.

Yeah, RUN!

#19 03-22-2009, 06:15 AM

I can clearly see the vacuum system in that car. What the owner did was demonstrate his complete ignorance of the car's fundamentals. This can be bad in that he doesn't know how to properly care for it, or good in that it may have been cared for by a mechanic that does. Service/repair documentation is essential in a situation like this.

The sluggish sunroof means the owner didn't use it much. The fact it works at all without sticking means it probably just needs a good lube.

However, based on having lots of rock chips, scratches and a dent, $7000 is ~$2000 too much. The rareness of its color and the spotless (nearly mint) engine bay does boost its value above a "normal" 300CD.

I'd still go for it, but only if the seller will knock $2k off the price.

chasinthesun · #20 03-22-2009, 01:09 PM

Silicon spray may get those old rubber weather strippings to loosen up a bit ,some are so brittle they will slow down a window/sunroof.$5500 should be a down deal ,$5000 could happen if his in dire need to sell.

Skid Row Joe · #21 03-22-2009, 05:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RafferMJ

Just returned from my test drive of the 82 300CD and I am hesitant to make a purchase based on the owner's resistance in allowing an inspection to be done on the car. The closest Mercedes dealership is almost 60 miles away so I can understand his hesitance in driving that far for an inspection when he's not sure I am fully committed to making the purchase. But an inspection definitely needs to be done before I can feel comfortable dropping thousands of dollars on an almost 30 year old car. I'm thinking about calling some local repair shops in the area (Millersburg, OH) but I'm not sure that anyone in the area will be capable of diagnosing the potential problems I need sought out.
I drove the car and the transmission seems to be working properly, shifts smoothly without any clunking. All of the windows roll up and down, although slowly. The sunroof would not open at first but after a few minutes it sluggishly came open with a few helpful manually pushes of the hand. There is only a slight patch of rust on the lower left front of the front cowling (not sure if thats the correct name for it). The engine fired up right away after one glow cycle although I'm not sure if the owner ran the car for awhile before I got there. The radio is operational except the antenna does not retract. There are many rock chips all over the front of the body, a 4 inch dent on the passenger's side door from when the previous owner drove his lawnmower into it (haha), and several scratches on the trunk lid. The A/C is weakly operational but I expected that from a car of this age. The fog lights are not operational and the drivers side turn indicator was burnt out. The mileage of 114000 is most likely accurate as the odometer is still functional but one cant be sure based on that.
Also, the owner seemed very resistant to lowering his price of 7000. I'm not so sure this would be a very smart buy for me as it would be taking a big risk. I want this car to be a daily driver so it needs to be pretty dependable. I understand the fact that its an older car and its going to need routine maintenance done to it it but Id like the maintenance to be somewhat affordable as I dont have a ton of money to blow on it. Id really appreciate some further help on what I should do/be thinking. Thanks!

Pass on it.

ah-kay · #22 03-22-2009, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

I can clearly see the vacuum system in that car.

The sluggish sunroof means the owner didn't use it much. The fact it works at all without sticking means it probably just needs a good lube.

When the sun roof or window is slow to open/close. It could mean one of the following:
1) Carbon brush is worn
2) Commutator is shot
3) Lack of lubrication
4) Jam mechanism
Take your pick

Color is a subjective. My daughter finds it horrible
Engine bay can be steam cleaned to deceive oil leak. I do not like to buy car with very 'clean' engine bay.
Average < 5K per year for 27 years. Hard to believe. How verifiable is it?

300CD is rare but does not mean you have to pay big bucks for it. I would either pass or Seventeen hundred, not seventy hundred, take it or leave it.

fruitcakesa · #23 03-22-2009, 06:59 PM

My 81 240 has 122k on it with records. The PO drove it 500 miles/yr for the last 10 years.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ah-kay

Let me see. 114K in 27 years. That works out to be 4222 miles per year. How many people do less then 5K per year for 27 years? It is hard to believe unless there is service record.

If it is legit then the seats should be immaculate. Minimal wear in brake/gas/hand brake paddle rubber. Look for tell tale sign for wear. For that price, everyhting should be working, including A/C and cruise control. $7000 is too high in my IMHO. I paid my 83 300D for $700 18 months ago, everything works, verified 1 owner with 305K miles.

ah-kay · #24 03-22-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fruitcakesa

My 81 240 has 122k on it with records. The PO drove it 500 miles/yr for the last 10 years.

Did I write if the record is legit? I could have a car with NO miles after n years if it has been sitting in a museum. The bottom line is that, it is one's prerogative on how to spend $7K.

tobybul · #25 03-22-2009, 10:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RafferMJ

Oh yeah, I asked the owner what kind of state the vacuum system was in as well and he said that the car did not have a vacuum system in it. Is this true? I was under the impression that it did from my browsing of the forums. I could easily have been mistaken. Also, the exhaust system was recently replaced as were the ball joints in the front shocks. Thanks!

No vacuum system

The transmission, engine turn-off, door locks, ac controls all rely on the the car's vacuum system!!!

Owner obviously not familiar with W123.

Skippy · #26 03-22-2009, 10:24 PM

IMO, that car is worth about half of what the seller is asking. You might try offering that, and have cash on hand. If he says no, walk.

TylerH860 · #27 03-22-2009, 10:31 PM

Of course it has a vacuum system... This guy has no idea what he's talking about.

There is a car for sale in my signature in better cosmetic condition for a fraction of the price, by the way.

JimmyL · #28 03-23-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerH860

There is a car for sale in my signature in better cosmetic condition for a fraction of the price, by the way.

It will be a smart purchase for somebody! I would always prefer to first try and buy from a "reputable" forum member. Tyler is that and then some. I've seen his cars first hand........

t walgamuth · #29 03-23-2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skippy

IMO, that car is worth about half of what the seller is asking. You might try offering that, and have cash on hand. If he says no, walk.

Ha!

I'd buy it at that price and I don't have any need.

t walgamuth · #30 03-23-2009, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

It will be a smart purchase for somebody! I would always prefer to first try and buy from a "reputable" forum member. Tyler is that and then some. I've seen his cars first hand........

Excellent point!