Got tipped off to a nice '85 300D today

[TylerH860]

No, no craigslist this time.

The owner received this car from his ailing mother (the original owner) 8 years ago. He used to use it for traveling with his business but had retired it to the garage, where its acts only as a dust collector. Some biggies done, including a new turbo, rebuilt front suspension, AC compressor, CCU. Apparently he has records out the wazoo but needs to locate them.

I beat him to his house by about 10 minutes, but his wife let me into the garage to mess with it. The battery was disconnected, which I hooked up, let her glow, and she fired on the first crank. The idle was smooth, with a slight vibration from shot motor mounts. Drove like it was lacking boost, shifted a bit harsh, and took about 3 seconds to shut off after the key was removed. All secondary electrical systems are functional, including windows/sunroof, cruise control, and antenna.

The car has no rust, a rarity in my area, and in really nice condition. Some clear coat peeling on the hood only. Owner claims he repainted the trunk for the same thing many years ago. The interior is nice, but dirty, and the driver's seat foam/springs are collapsing. The wood surfaces are gorgeous, and the dash had only one small crack. What wowed me the most about the car were the wheels, which were proffesionally refinished. Whoever did it did an excellent job.

He had listed it on craigslist for 4 grand, but got no attention. He told me that it wasn't about the money, but wanted it to go to someone who knew what they were doing and not some moron who will destroy it. I pointed out the lengthy list of items needed, gave him some examples of vehicles I sold, assured him I would give it the attention it deserves, and offered him $1500. He said he would sleep on it and let me know tomorrow.

We shall see what happens.

Photos:

[WhoWhat]

That thing looks pretty decent - good call with your offer. The real question is, how the heck do you run into these cars? Unreal. Well done, friend.

Also, whenever I see another 300D interior, it makes me realize where mine fits along the spectrum of care - apparently, mine is near the bottom.

[tbomachines]

Jeez Tyler I don't know how you manage to find these things! Very nice.

[Oracle12345]

Originally Posted by tbomachines

Jeez Tyler I don't know how you manage to find these things! Very nice.

once word gets around that you have buyed multple mercedes or fix them people start you about cars that are for sale. I learned about a few mercedes by people just stopping by the shop since they know I do repairs.

[daw_two]

914 BXZ
*daw_two scribbles down the license tag; then hacks into the Kansas DMV computer and calls the owner*

COOL!!! He just accepted my offer of $1700.



Nice Car, Tyler. Do you want to buy it from me before I transport it back to Tennessee??

[matthias08]

I WANT.

[JimmyL]

Ahhhh, the elusive Sand Pebble interior. Love that color.
Your offer was fair. It is also low enough to turn around and sell the car to somebody on here for a modest profit. You will get some $$$$ for your efforts, and they will get a nice rust free W123 with a rebuilt front end, AC work, turbo, etc........
Nice for everybody if it works out.
I always look for your wagon in the background of your pics. My own little reindeer game......

[pawoSD]

That's a nice looking 300D!! I need to go to Kansas, find these lurking mint cars, buy them, and flip them for profit in MI.


Word does get around, and people see it too! A guy up the street from my parents just moved in and has a '79 350SL with a dead trans at just over 100k....he's looking for help on getting it repaired....I gave him a contact at a local trans shop I use....but I don't think I will offer to (or accept if he asks) to do any work on it for him...too risky. I have enough to do with all of ours.

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by matthias08

I WANT.

I'll sell it to you for $2500.

[daw_two]

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Ahhhh, the elusive Sand Pebble interior. Love that color.
Your offer was fair. It is also low enough to turn around and sell the car to somebody on here for a modest profit. You will get some $$$$ for your efforts, and they will get a nice rust free W123 with a rebuilt front end, AC work, turbo, etc........
Nice for everybody if it works out.
I always look for your wagon in the background of your pics. My own little reindeer game......

LOL. Yeah, I play that game with Tyler's pics, too. I even go so far as looking for reflections in mirrors, window glass, even house window glass. Did you ever play the Where's Waldo game?

Okay, JimmyL and Tyler --- you all need to educate me about this so called Sand Pebble interior. That one shot of the interior, I would swear that passenger footwell cover is Palomino. Please enlighten me (us).

[okyoureabeast]

Hey man! Nice 85 300D!

I drive a silver with royal blue interior. When I got my car out of storage it drove like there wasn't a turbo in it. I treated the car like I do for the initial break in period of new vehicles. After a couple of weeks that baby is super peppy.

Love the color. I got mine for free but spent 1400 with tires getting mine up to road snuff.

[zeke]

You know I love the color Tyler

If it had palamino interior I would say best color combo ever (except for a green one - love those)

Good luck - you are really amazing at finding these things.

[edge]

Originally Posted by TylerH860

Some clear coat peeling on the hood only. Owner claims he repainted the trunk for the same thing many years ago.

Clearcoat? I thought 1985's had single stage paint. Does anyone know when MB started using clearcoat over paint? BTW nice car, what's the mileage. I like the color.

[compu_85]

Is that car Barlo (sp?) Red? If so a friend of mine has an 85 that's the same color, with the same peeling clear coat!

-J

[matthias08]

Originally Posted by daw_two

I'll sell it to you for $2500.

as we all know, I'd be tempted to do something like that......