Found a 1979 300CD - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

toomany MBZ · #16 09-02-2009, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthias08

my cobbled together 240D 4 speed seems to do just fine thank you

get the VIN number... and run it HERE!

click for full version, it'll provide build info, options etc. (including transmission in question)

I'm not too up on CD's but I'm well aware that on a W123, rust, is a killer...

I don't have any issues, yet when ordering parts, you have to be careful.

thebenzbar · #17 09-02-2009, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psaboic

Ok, I got to look at it a bit today, but not for a long time as I was on my way to work. I also spoke to the owner for about 5 minutes.
Here are the details. 79 300CD, Maroon color (nice paint, not perfect, but nice) been a Pacific Northwest car all its life. 4 Speed stick, 225,000 miles. Owner says they have owned it for last 6 years with no problems. Starts fine and idles nice and smooth. Interior looks average.

A M/T 300CD is a conversion. The 300CD was for the North American market only and came with 4-spd automatic trans. Period.

rcounts · #18 09-02-2009, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thebenzbar

A M/T 300CD is a conversion. The 300CD was for the North American market only and came with 4-spd automatic trans. Period.

Exactly...

Brandon_SLC · #19 09-02-2009, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psaboic

HI folks, Long time lurker.

I have been in the market for a decent older Diesel Benz for a few years now. WHenever I have the money, no decent cars are for sale, or vice-versa. I have a diesel Jetta (TDI) and a diesel truck, so I know enought about diesel to be dangerous

Anyway, today I saw a really nice 1979 300 CD for sale at the local grocery store. I only got a few moments to look at it, but here is what I saw. Exterior is nice, no major blemishes, or cracked windshield. Nice marood paint. Tires look average, interior high average to good (actually pretty decent) Looks to have about 250,000 or so on it.

They are asking $4500 (I think it is a bit high, but....)

I have done several searches, and what not on the forum, but I would like to ask what the "experts" think about price, condition, what to really look out for and to ask about, etc. I really like this car and will be putting my younger son in it in a couple years if I get it.

Many thanks in advance

Glenn

If she's asking $4500 I bet she's expecting $4000. If you really must have this car try offering $3500, but be prepared to go up to $4k. The fact that it needs a new windshield and the A/C has been neglected are good bargaining points. Those can be expensive repairs.

If the manual trany is important to you, that increases the value. But, you don't have to tell the seller that. Most people assume manuals reduce resale value.

Having lived in Western WA for many years, I know that the defogging problems is because the A/C compressor doesn't work. With temps in the 40s and 50s most of the time it's raining, it's very hard to keep any car defogged without the help of A/C to help dry out the air. Not to say that there may not be something else wrong as well.

I find this car very intriguing. What's her telephone number?

psaboic · #20 09-20-2009, 06:47 PM

Ok, I FINALLY got to look in depth at the car and test drive it. Please tell me what you think. I like the car but don't absolutely "gotta have it"

It is an automatic, not a stick as I suspected. Maroon coupe with light beige interior. Non-smoker vehicle.

225,000 miles, starts and idles fine, a bit of black smoke at first start and first 30 seconds of idle.

Non-Turbo, so it is not a road burner, but picks up nicely. When briskly accelerating, it gets to about 30MPH before it will shift out of first. First to second shift when cold is a tad firm, but smoother when warmed up a bit. Temperature runs fine, oil pressure is fine, all lights and flashers work fine, tires are a matched set and look to have about 30K left in them. Door locks work fine, fluids look good (needs an oil change), a little oil on the valve cover by the oil filler cap, but no blowby detected. Brakes work good and stop nicely with no shakes or pulls. Slight vibration from front end above 70MPH (most likely tires need balancing.)

The not so good: A/C inop (said needs a re-charge, but...) Blower motor died last week. Vertical crack in windshield on passenger side. Dash lights a bit dim, high beam light does not work on dash. Cruise control inop, Temperature buttons and temperature wheel markings worn. Brake light on dash stays on until you lift the e-brake pedal a tad with your toe. Owner said it had small water leak under dash two years ago, but was fixed. As a result the carpet and padding was replaced but a small amount of surface rust on the front and rear passenger floor. Upholstery is fine, no dash cracks or rear package shelf cracks. Weather seals look good, but a small amount of dry cracking is starting. Very small amount of surface rust on rear bottom of passenger door frame. Broken radio antenna. Aftermarket radio installed, but original Becker radio is in trunk.

That's about it. They are asking $4500 for it. I was thinking no more than $3500 in its condition.

Please give me your honest opinion, is it worth it or should I pass. I want to let them know by tomorrow. BTW, I'm pretty mechanically inclined, have worked on numerous cars over the years, and I don't mind doing my own work as long as I can get some help if I get in a real bind

Many thanks,

Glenn

toomany MBZ · #21 09-20-2009, 07:10 PM

You're going to need a new windshield.
Dash lights normal.
Bulb behind dash for high beam, probably.
A/C and cruise, normal.
New E-brake return spring?
Everything else seems good, price a windshield, use that as a bargaining tool.

Chadahar · #22 09-20-2009, 07:10 PM

Make the offer with the cash in your pocket. Makes it easier for them to take the money.
Let them Know you know that the A/C can easily be the $1000.00 difference (reason they didn't fix it??)and the cracked windshield adds to that. The blower motor may be a strip fuse(don't know if the 3ooCD has the strip fuse for the blower motor or not..I have 126's). The blower motor will cost something to R & R if needed.

toomany MBZ · #23 09-20-2009, 07:13 PM

^Good point on the A/C.

psaboic · #24 09-20-2009, 08:01 PM

Ok, I priced a windshield at close to $300, and from what I found, a blower motor is another $375.

Based on that plus the other issues, is $3500 fair, or more than fair, and if it was you, would you consider it or keep looking?

Many thanks for all the replies and suggestions

Glenn

Pavka007 · #25 09-20-2009, 08:17 PM

I would go with $3500.00 cash. Remind them of all the "BAD" points as mentioned above from other members.
Regarding the cold up-shift from 1st to second don't worry. This is the way Mercedes protect the transmission its called Upshift Delay Switchover Valve, as soon as warm up is good to go. You can make the car shift to second if you really push hard, but I wouldn't do it.

300D85 · #26 09-20-2009, 10:03 PM

I wouldn't offer any more than 3. I find the best deals come up with patience & seen too many great deals at 2 to 3k.

If the car had no major issues, I might be swayed to offer 3.5k or even more.

Best bet is to go look at alota cars & finding out as much as you can about them before taking the plunge.

Good idea to pay a wrench that knows the cars to have a look too.

psaboic · #27 09-23-2009, 09:43 AM

Well, I offered $3000 and they countered with $3250. I was set to make the deal but had to pull my offer. The mail today brought a medical bill that our "insurance" only covered part of. So there goes my money for the car.

*sigh* I really don't think I am meant to have a W123.

It was mentioned to look at a lot of cars. Well, to be honest, I have wanted a W123 for many many years, and have been seriously looking at W123's since 2002. Almost 8 years and I have yet to get one! Several I've looked at have been overpriced and the owner wouldn't budge, and several were beat to hell even though they were advertised as decent. Mostly, what happens is I get ready to make an offer and it is sold out from under me, or something comes up that takes away the money I have saved (like this time)

W123's are not very easy to find in my neck of the woods, so I am willing to look in other areas, but to be perfectly honest, I am really starting to think I am not meant to have one. If I sound depressed a bit, it is because I am!

I am right on the verge of saying the hell with it, they are just not meant for me. I'm tired of being disappointed time and time again.

Anyone have one that they want to give away, as I'm starting to think that is the only way I will ever get one

toomany MBZ · #28 09-23-2009, 07:39 PM

Sorry to hear it, good luck.