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  #1  
Old 09-30-2009, 06:19 PM
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1998 E300 TD - What's it worth??

I just looked at a 1998 E300 TD on a u-sell lot. The car has just under 200k miles on it. The only noticeable body damage was the drivers door had a couple of large dents and the passenger side of the front bumper was cracked and the light in the bumper was missing. The headlight were extremely discolored (do they respond to the sanding and buffing treatment like a lot of other newer cars?). The interior leather look good but not excellent. The console cover was totally worn off. The door panels/door handles were dirty and wrinkled. The exterior was black and had a nice shine to it. The tires were all the same make and about 50% tread.
A note on the windshield said that it may need a new water pump and there was a gallon container of antifreeze in the front passenger floor.
The car was unlocked so I popped the hood and the engine looked very clean with not obvious signs of leakage.
The asking price is $3800.
What do you think that it is worth? I do all of my work on cars and currently drive a 1995 E320 wagon.

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  #2  
Old 09-30-2009, 08:13 PM
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Location: MN
Posts: 1,252
If the coolant isn't leaking out under the hood, it may be going out the tail pipe.

Run away.

A jug of coolant in the front seat is like finding 4 quarts of ATF in the trunk. There is a reason it's there.
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Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO
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  #3  
Old 09-30-2009, 08:20 PM
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For $3800, there's definitely something major that needs repairing. Look over that thing well and determine how much you'll need to make it road safe.
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Freehold, NJ

1999 E300 TD 178,000 miles
2007 E320 Bluetec - Sold

1998 E300 TD - R.I.P.
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  #4  
Old 09-30-2009, 10:11 PM
babymog's Avatar
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Sounds like an opportunity if it's sound.

I'm not a W210 fan, but I do like that 606 turbo.

Beware of the usual 210 items, front spring perches and glow-plugs come to mind.
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  #5  
Old 09-30-2009, 10:29 PM
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if youre a handyman and dyi man go for it pal, give him 3k cash snd tell him to shake hands, thats why you have us, were here to help if you have questions regarding the 606

anyhow, bite the bullet and see what happens
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  #6  
Old 10-01-2009, 12:01 AM
GradyG
 
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 60
96 W210 owner

much depends on where the car was located. Wrinkly handles, really discolored headlights probably means its sitting outside in the sun in hot clime. Could explain the coolant to as rubber might be shot from sitting in the sun, which also means the vacuum hoses could be shot as well. Known issues with 98 turbo diesels are front perch failure (where the front spring sets up top) especially if ever on salty roads, 98 has 5-speed trans that was supposedly sealed for life but mercedes changed that story pretty quick. If the trans check has a sealed cover and not dipstick proabbly never been serviced and prone to fail. EGR on these things is known to clog intake and crossover pipe due to recirculation of greasy diesel exhaust, and 98 has comp controlled unit that I hear has not been beat yet without CEL coming on. If neglected also check front ball joints and control arm bushings as heavy car and these need to be replaced after 100-125k. 96/97 known to have some pinion seal issues on the diff so check for obvious leaks. Tha being said the 98 turbo is suppose to perform well and get great mileage, but if your not able or willing to fix a lot of stuff yourself, nothing is more expensive than a cheap mercedes.
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  #7  
Old 10-20-2009, 02:11 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gradyg3 View Post
but if your not able or willing to fix a lot of stuff yourself, nothing is more expensive than a cheap mercedes.
Ain't that the truth
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1987 190d 2.5Turbo
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  #8  
Old 10-20-2009, 03:40 PM
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From your description it sounds as if it doesnt receive much care.

It seems a bit cheap to me, even so.....suggest you ask more questions concerning teh bad WP and investigate if it has overheated in the past.
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N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)
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  #9  
Old 10-20-2009, 04:34 PM
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Mine needed a water pump and that was before I bought it at 150K. If all it needs is a water pump and some cosmetics it sounds like a good deal to me. IF that's all it needs. Mine currently has 203K and I wouldn't think of selling it for $3800.
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'07 E320 Bluetec 133K my DD
'04 Jaguar XJ8 VDP, 34K
'10 Hyundai Accent 60K Grocery Getter
'02 VW Golf soon to be on the road again
'97 E300 Diesel Son's DD
'61 VERY tolerant wife

Hampton Roads, VA USA

Gone but not forgotten:
'67 250S 95K
'86 300SDL
'87 300D Turbo, 364K! R.I.P.
'98 E300 Turbodiesel, 213K
'02 S420, 164K
'01 Prius 138K
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  #10  
Old 10-21-2009, 09:55 AM
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Go for it!

I have a W123 and am researching the W210 as I am considering adding an E300 TD to our fleet. The advice given above is completely in line with everything I have read hear so far.

On another note, I have seen several for sale in my area for 3800-4500.

They seem to be available with lower mileage in clean condition for 8-12K.
I am looking for something in between in the 5-7K range.

I wouldnt hesitate if you think the car looks good. Certainly drive it and probe the owner for info. Service records would be a god send. Often times I am willing to pay more for a car that has extensive service records.

Let us know what you find out and what you decide.
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84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.
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  #11  
Old 10-21-2009, 03:40 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by fred1948 View Post
I just looked at a 1998 E300 TD on a u-sell lot. The car has just under 200k miles on it. The only noticeable body damage was the drivers door had a couple of large dents and the passenger side of the front bumper was cracked and the light in the bumper was missing. The headlight were extremely discolored (do they respond to the sanding and buffing treatment like a lot of other newer cars?). The interior leather look good but not excellent. The console cover was totally worn off. The door panels/door handles were dirty and wrinkled. The exterior was black and had a nice shine to it. The tires were all the same make and about 50% tread.
A note on the windshield said that it may need a new water pump and there was a gallon container of antifreeze in the front passenger floor.
The car was unlocked so I popped the hood and the engine looked very clean with not obvious signs of leakage.
The asking price is $3800.
What do you think that it is worth? I do all of my work on cars and currently drive a 1995 E320 wagon.
Offer $3K as is, and you've probably got yourself a good car. Be sure it runs, and drive it first.

OTOH, I'd rather hold-off and buy one in much better condition with the all important records, for $5K - $6K. -That's what I would do.
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  #12  
Old 10-24-2009, 03:36 PM
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Location: Clifton Park, NY
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DONT YOU DARE!! caveat emptor-

Quote:
Originally Posted by Renntag View Post
I have a W123 and am researching the W210 as I am considering adding an E300 TD to our fleet. The advice given above is completely in line with everything I have read hear so far.

On another note, I have seen several for sale in my area for 3800-4500.

They seem to be available with lower mileage in clean condition for 8-12K.
I am looking for something in between in the 5-7K range.

I wouldnt hesitate if you think the car looks good. Certainly drive it and probe the owner for info. Service records would be a god send. Often times I am willing to pay more for a car that has extensive service records.

Let us know what you find out and what you decide.
Renntag,
With all due respect - you're on drugs. NOTHING is more expensive than a cheap MB. This guy could pay from $50 to $10,000++ in maintenance and repairs on a heap like this.

I just paid off my 1998 E300
Purchased in 2004 with 74k miles, pristine condition in/out, $21,000. Haven't done the cost of maintenance per mile (just occurred to me), will post later.

Fred- look around more, craigslist, ebay, autotrader, wherever. Buy a decent w210 if thats what you want. Spend $5-8k on an older one that has been cared for (err towards the higher end).

I'm not sure if I'd let mine go for $7k or $8k today. It's well loved, but it is loved - and its a great ride.

PMU
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Phil
Previously loved
variety, but I miss the 99 F350 PSD- 37k, traded, damn

Current stable
98 E-300 TurboDiesel, 253k
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  #13  
Old 10-24-2009, 04:49 PM
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Boy, that "nothing is more expensive than a cheap Mercedes" line is sure getting old. Just as many cheap Mercedes have been cheap to own, it just doesn't sound as catchy.
No offense to the issuers of the above line, it's just been in my cross hairs lately. My rudeness wasn't directed at you.
Walk into this one knowing that it could be much worse than a water pump. However, if it is just the water pump then that is a very cheap price.
The one thing I don't understand is how you could stand that awful W210 back end after having your very classy W124......
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'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
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  #14  
Old 11-07-2009, 12:41 AM
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Newbie chiming in...

I just picked up a '98 E300TD 3 weeks ago. I've already put 600 miles on it and it's a dream. It has 300,000 miles on it. It was a one-owner (Carfax) non-smoking highway driven car. It was well taken care of. How much do you think I paid for it?


Last edited by felixand; 11-07-2009 at 12:44 AM. Reason: trying to post a picture
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  #15  
Old 11-07-2009, 07:09 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by felixand View Post
I just picked up a '98 E300TD 3 weeks ago. I've already put 600 miles on it and it's a dream. It has 300,000 miles on it. It was a one-owner (Carfax) non-smoking highway driven car. It was well taken care of. How much do you think I paid for it?

$5K

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2013 C300 4Matic
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