87 300SDL, selling to friend, fair price?
 

I'm considering selling my '87 300SDL to a friend, and would like some advice
on a fair price. I truly love this car, but I'm increasingly inclined toward a
car with a passenger air bag.

It's showing 175k, but likely has more than that. We have no records aside
from our own. The car runs and drives like a dream, but has three large
problems and several smaller ones.

First, rust on the bottom of the passenger door. The door's in no danger of
falling apart, and the problem causing it (stopped drains) has been fixed.

Second, broken sunroof support on one side. It doesn't leak but isn't
operable.

Third, injector trouble. Cold starts are shuddery and smokey. MBI is
convinced that it's a problem with one injector. No hard estimate to fix it;
they all need to be tested, but likely only one rebuilt or replaced.

Smaller issues: it's got many paint chips but the clear coat is in good shape.
The antenna and cruise control don't work. It burns about a quart of oil every
4,000 miles but doesn't leak any. This was better before the injector trouble,
I bet most of this is burned on cold starts. The radio broke some time ago,
but the speakers work.

The good: no rust anywhere else (e.g., battery tray, trunk, wheel wells).
Compression is over 400 on all cylinders. We had a lot of suspension work done
a year ago, so it rides very well. Transmission shifts well and on time and
doesn't leak. Vacuum is strong with no leaks. 0-60 in 15s with a warm engine.
A/C has been converted and blows cold on a 100-degree day. All the electronics
work (aside from antenna and sunroof). No steering slop whatsoever. No cracks
in the dash; upholstery is very good, aside from one old cigarette burn. Never
been in an accident; no body or fender damage.

Thanks in advance.

Sounds like its worth it to go and replace the glow plugs IMO. Stopping the smoking/shuddering with cold starts (classic symptoms of glow plug failure) would be a relatively inexpensive way to gain another negotiating point and pass on a better working car to your friend rather than gambling on an injector. That is just my $0.02.

I would rather be the passenger in your car in a head on than in some ricer or Korean thing with a passengers air bag !!
Would be great to be your friend & getting a good Benz !!
Have a look on Craig's list & ebay for an indication on price. What are you going to replace it with?

$1K to $2K tops.......


However, 11 years ago, I flat out refused to sell my '83 300SD w/305K miles on it to a lifelong friend from back in my hometown of Omaha, NE. I had just purchased my '99 E300TD brand new, and I told him that there were too many things that could go wrong with the car to sell it to a friend with that many miles on it. I got my asking of $4,950 for the car in two weekends parked in front of my home from a neighbor. The guy complained about the car when I saw him and asked him how he liked the car some months later at the neighborhood grocery store. I sure wouldn't have wanted that from a friend at any price.

What is your friendship worth?

A car deal is one of those things that can destroy a friendship.


El Sea/L.C.

Having been down that road, with a car that I gave to a friend. A kind gesture can backfire in the blink of an eye, and really strain a friendship.

X4 or so if you check the replies. Don't sell or give to family or friends.

Thanks everyone for the price advice. I'm not worried about selling to a friend. I've bought several cars from friends, and sold to other friends, and I'm pretty comfortable with it.

BINGO!

I agree with that.

I don't think even giving my present car to a friend or family member would be a good idea.

Too much chance of blow by......or is it blow back??