1981 300d... Buy or no? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

elrey · #1 08-03-2009, 06:10 PM

So I think I'm finally ready to take the plunge and pick up a 300d. I've been keeping my eye on craigslist for a while, and finally found what looks like a decent buy: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1296618108.html .

I was hoping you gods of diesel can give me a few pointers on pricing. Is $1695 decent for a car with rust and a questionable odometer? The posting says that the corrosion is just superficial, but I have serious doubts about that. Just a few Minnesota winters can do serious damage to a car if its not maintained.

I know its impossible to really know anything for sure without seeing the vehicle first hand. I should also say that I have a little knowledge about cars in general and I've been lurking this forum for a while, but I'm a very long ways from being an expert mechanic. I found a really great guide in the forums but I especially want to know what likely pitfalls and deal breakers are with this particular car. If it is actually exactly what the owner says it is and the interior is is decent condition, should I be willing to spend the full asking price? What should I look for as far as corrosion goes, and how much should this affect what I pay? I would really like to drive a 300d home (there aren't a whole lot of them up here in the great white north) but I would rather walk away than spend more than its worth. Any input you guys can give would be great.

jt20 · #2 08-03-2009, 06:21 PM

for $300 you could fly one way to Texas, VA or GA, buy a car for $1300 and do much, much better. Maybe tack on $50 to pay a well-informed forum member to check it out for you before flying.

In retrospect, I paid way to much for my car. The area I live in has an over-inflated sense of worth for these vehicles

...just thoughts.

mike-81-240d · #3 08-03-2009, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by elrey

So I think I'm finally ready to take the plunge and pick up a 300d. I've been keeping my eye on craigslist for a while, and finally found what looks like a decent buy: http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/cto/1296618108.html .

I was hoping you gods of diesel can give me a few pointers on pricing. Is $1695 decent for a car with rust and a questionable odometer? The posting says that the corrosion is just superficial, but I have serious doubts about that. Just a few Minnesota winters can do serious damage to a car if its not maintained.

I know its impossible to really know anything for sure without seeing the vehicle first hand. I should also say that I have a little knowledge about cars in general and I've been lurking this forum for a while, but I'm a very long ways from being an expert mechanic. I found a really great guide in the forums but I especially want to know what likely pitfalls and deal breakers are with this particular car. If it is actually exactly what the owner says it is and the interior is is decent condition, should I be willing to spend the full asking price? What should I look for as far as corrosion goes, and how much should this affect what I pay? I would really like to drive a 300d home (there aren't a whole lot of them up here in the great white north) but I would rather walk away than spend more than its worth. Any input you guys can give would be great.

Honestly that car is $1100 to much

kerry · #4 08-03-2009, 06:33 PM

All 123 odometer's are questionable. Service records are better. I agree that rust free examples are far preferable.