Considering 617 vs 603 - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Hatterasguy · #1 10-28-2009, 05:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Absolutely correct. That's why it's nice to find a car with a whole bunch of service records, showing what has broken and been fixed. Otherwise you gotta assume it's already broken or will break soon.

Yep, and find an example with reasonable mileage. IE under 150k.

#2 10-28-2009, 04:23 PM

My only real concern with the 60x engines is the Al heads. They work fine, just don't let the engine overheat.

MercFan · #3 10-28-2009, 04:54 PM

What would be a fair price range for that green SDL to offer?! I was thinking of offering $2500 to see if he'll go for it...

Wodnek · #4 10-28-2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFan

What would be a fair price range for that green SDL to offer?! I was thinking of offering $2500 to see if he'll go for it...

In my opinion, the asking price is fair. Anything off that is pure bonus if its as clean as it looks.

If the car is right, and you test drive it, it will sell itself to you.

I only drove one 300SDL, it was an 86. It was NOT right, and I bought my 116 300SD instead. Both of my 87 124s are right, and make me smile every time I get in them.

Crazy_Nate · #5 10-29-2009, 11:55 AM

IMHO, honestly, I would go with whichever is the car in better shape...

From what I've understood, the 616/617 can handle being mistreated more than the 603. If you take care of it (or the previous owner(s) have - get records...), then it should be a moot point, unless you plan on buying it, driving it into the ground, and then go look for your next car. I had a feeling that my 616 had been mistreated a little, but it was still pretty strong - despite wanting to blow the oil fill cap off if you loosened it (!). The odometer was broken, so I never really learned the mileage on it. If you neglect a 603, well, you might not have the same luck. A poor cooling system, #14 head, and an inattentive-to-the-temperature-gauge driver could spell a costly mistake.

If the A/C works and sunroof work on the SDL, that price is reasonable. When you look at repair / maintenance records, certain things can tell you how much an owner cared about the vehicle. Little bits of suspension rubber might be a good tip-off - it was for me.

MercFan · #6 10-29-2009, 12:15 PM

Let the games begin... I'm trying to talk directly with the owner about the car and make a reasonable offer contingent on satisfactory inspection. As always, doing this long-distance is very challenging... it takes a lot of time and patience.

BTW - side note: for those of you who love snow, we've gotten about 25 inches the last two days and it's still snowing! For now we're trapped in our home and we're starting to feel a little cabin fever... hehe. It's Winter Wonderland out there....

turbobenz · #7 10-30-2009, 02:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFan

Let the games begin... I'm trying to talk directly with the owner about the car and make a reasonable offer contingent on satisfactory inspection. As always, doing this long-distance is very challenging... it takes a lot of time and patience.

BTW - side note: for those of you who love snow, we've gotten about 25 inches the last two days and it's still snowing! For now we're trapped in our home and we're starting to feel a little cabin fever... hehe. It's Winter Wonderland out there....

yeah i just got from denver to co springs tonight in a lowered 300sd. it was a nightmare but i made it fine. luckily the rockies werent bad.

deniss · #8 10-30-2009, 09:41 AM

I wouldn't bother buying from people who don't have the car registered properly. Something's just off with that. Same for having a current inspection sticker. If the price is low to compensate for that, sure. But if they are asking an up-market price for it, then they better have it in a ready condition to be test-driven and taken to a mechanic for inspection.

Is the car that nice that you want all this hassle? Surely another one will come along if you wait a little bit.

MercFan · #9 10-30-2009, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deniss

Is the car that nice that you want all this hassle? Surely another one will come along if you wait a little bit.

The car is nice... but my my hassle-threashold is being tested... I'm giving it one more day to resolve before I walk away. I already told them that they need to have the car street legal in preparation for inspection, sale and delivery. That seemed to 'turn the lights on' for them - so we're giving it one more push today... I can still walk away from it, and may have to...

#10 10-29-2009, 01:01 PM

Yup, my wife is pretty much stuck in the house.

MercFan · #11 10-29-2009, 01:12 PM

Well, I offered $2800 to the owner contingent upon satisfactory inspection by the MB shop of my choosing (Atlantic Imported Auto) - I spoke to Pat - the shop owner some time ago. He's been recommended on this forum and he's willing to take 1.5 hrs to look the car over nose to tail including the test drive, and comprehensive check (sans compression check) for a reasonable price....

Anyway - the owner had accepted my offer of $2800 contingent on inspection, BUT since he doesn't have current tags on the car he's not willing to take the car to the shop... so that's the bad news - so things may still fall apart on this but at least we're one step closer...

Wonder if I can contact the DMV to get temporary tags for the car?! Any advice there?

Keep your wrenches crossed for me... hehe
James

dagObx · #12 10-29-2009, 03:18 PM

Maybe someone (you or PO) would spring for a tow to the mechanic?

Or split the cost?

MercFan · #13 10-29-2009, 03:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dagObx

Maybe someone (you or PO) would spring for a tow to the mechanic? Or split the cost?

Yep - in the works... the mechanic's shop is really close by. We'll see how it turns out. Man, the long distance hassles...

Wodnek · #14 10-29-2009, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFan

Yep - in the works... the mechanic's shop is really close by. We'll see how it turns out. Man, the long distance hassles...

It is not legal, and I am not suggesting you do this, but I have been known to put my plate on an unregistered vehical to take it for a test drive.

hughowens · #15 10-30-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MercFan

I'm considering the following two cars - both of them would require travel outside of my state, which I'm willing to do for the right car... Let me first say that this time both sellers are cooperating very well - which has been the biggest issue thus far in my long-distance-car-shopping adventure...

Candidate#1 is a 1984 300SD - as seen in this ad: http://sanantonio.craigslist.org/cto/1414499663.html
Female driver, odometer broken so approximate mileage about 170K - leather seats, pretty clean inside, no wear on the seats - dash has no cracks. She said the a/c compressor works but the a/c is not cold. The engine bay looks pretty clean, though the aluminum valve cover, cruise look pretty oxidized, not sure why?! Green coolant, the belts and hoses look fairly new. She said the pickup was not as good as the Isuzu truck she had before.... Some service records exist - asking price $1995, willing to negotiate.

Candidate#2 is a 1987 300SDL - as seen here: http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/1422357388.html
The owner has car repair business - this was his mother's Benz from new. She was the only driver until 1 year ago when he bought her a brand new replacement Benz. He sold this car to the employee - carried the financing for him until the guy fell back on payments and the car was repossessed - looking to sell it now. Looks clean in additional photos he sent me - engine bay very clean but not too clean. Proper coolant in the expansion tank. Very clean and shiny IP. No records, but the car was maintained by two dealers in Jax, FL - they have records. Supposedly all systems are working. Appears very clean inside from additional photos. Asking $3500 - willing to negotiate.

So it's between the reliability of the 617 which seems to have been taken care of fairly well and what is seems like a clean, well maintained 603. The 603 is calling my name, but I know the parts can be more expensive and whatever I buy I'd like to keep for a while and use as my DD, including winter driving here in CO.

Advice, recommendations on which one to pursue?! I like the SDL a little better, but I don't want a money pit, if you know what I mean.

THanks,
James

I had a 1987 SDL and currently have an 85 617 model. The SDL is very powerful and big but that engine is less durable than the 617 with its aluminum head which will spit a head gasket in a NY minute if you once let it get too warm. They are both overpriced. If you get the "87 I would replace all the hoses and belts and thermostat immediately and but an engine alarm to monitor engine temp. The smaller 123 chassis cars get better fuel economy than the 126 cars for obvious reasons.