I have been looking for a later model 300 turbo. I am totally new to the MB scene and not a mechanic in any way. I live in Fayetteville so I have access to Schuller's. But I think I may have found a candidate in Cave Creek AZ. Would anyone be interested to give me their 2 cents or even take a look at this car for me? Here's the ebay information.


#290428934704, ending on May-05-10 11:55:11 PDT - Mercedes-Benz : 300-Series‏

If the mileage is accurate, that's a nice car. Expect the bids to rise quite high given the mileage. Wouldn't surprise me if it approaches $8-9k. If it goes for around the current bid, seems like a very good deal. I'd want to talk to the seller to get a sense of his honesty before bidding.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&_rdc=1&item=290428934704&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.com%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dm570%26_nkw%3D290428934704%26_sacat% 3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&viewitem=

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Looks like a nice car.

For any significant premium, I would want to see records that prove the mileage. The owner's claim that it has been his AZ car, when it was only recently titled in AZ (November of 2009), or that he has owned it for 11 years when there was no title change 11years ago (three titles issued), doesn't give me much confidence. Even if the current owner believes the mileage, what proof does he have that the car actually had 16,000 miles when it was 13years old?

A nice car apparently, but pay what it's worth for what you know, and from my experience, see it before you pay for it, every car and motorcoach I've ever traveled to buy has been significantly misrepresented (and that's being kind).

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Not sure where you are as there are many "Fayettevilles". (You might update your profile, or original post)

I just posted a link in the Craigs list thread to a sweet 300SD near me. I am more than happy to check it out and report. This car wont last long.

Seller is asking about 5K if memory serves. He said it will go on ebay in a week.

__________________
83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
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.

Hey, thanks. I live in Arkansas. Formerly Arizona. I'll try to get my page updated.
Thank you for the information and ideas. It is a leap to assume the guy is on the up and up. Someone mentioned there's no evidence of change in titles. Has been my experience people do that all the time to keep from paying higher taxes. Meaning if the taxes were higher in AZ vs OH then he would keep the car registered in OH for as long as possible. Maybe he started thinking about selling it, or the law caught up with him so he registered where he was driving it at his 2nd home in AZ? There are so many ways to speculate about the whys and wherefores of ebay listings.
I'll probably call the shop where he had it serviced, for starters.

I seriously doubt Ohio has any cheaper taxes than AZ given the general political makeup of the two states.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Just a thought. You're probably right. Is there anything inherently wrong with 82's. Someone directed me to the list of things to consider when buying an older model MB. Anything else come to mind?

The older (pre 86) MB diesels are super tough cars that are straightforward to work on. If I'm not mistaken, in '86 MB started using aluminum heads, so overheating could cause more damage than in earlier cars. There are still lots of these cars around for used parts and many new or rebuilt parts are readily available via internet. And this forum is like finding gold. Don't know much about later models, but the early - mid '80s are wonderful cars.

__________________
John Schroader
bio burnin' 83 300D, '83 300 SD, '79 240D
"I've never met a man who was good at making excuses who was good at anything else" Ben Franklin
"You cannot permanently help a man by doing for him what he could and should do for himself" Abraham Lincoln

Here is a later model 300 turbodiesel: 1998 E300 Turbo Diesel Sedan, NW Montana

__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

So this craigs list 300sd is near Arlington? I'll check it out. Thanks.

Good point about easily found parts. Aluminum heads? What were those German engineers thinking?

Looks like a fine car. A bit out of my price range, but I am sure you'll get what you're asking. I am wanting to get into the MB primarily for safety reasons, which, in my opinion includes being higher off the ground than I am driving the putt putt I am driving now, and having more metal around me than I currently have. Of course, there is the unparalleled engineering.
Thanks for your input.

I may have found the car you were referring to?
1985 Mercedes Benz 300D – Incredible… - $4900 (Sterling) posted 05/01?

I am very interested in this vehicle. Would be great if you are still willing to take a look see. What amount of compensation would you like for your time and knowledge?
Let me know,
Thanks

It can come down to how much you're willing to spend to get a good one - I wouldn't think that much less than $8K would get you anything but a car that needed $2K to $5K worth of work to make it right, by providing the money to replace worn components. Or, just drive something with patches and flaws - that still runs.

Depends on what you're willing to spend when buying, and how much you're willing to spend to keep it up after you buy it.

$8K to $10K will buy a very nice diesel, with everything working properly on it, and all records of maintenance and parts replaced.

Going budget can quickly end up costing you a lot in repairs - all things considered.