1983 200D how rare are these?
 

Hello all, I am looking at a 1983 200D, auto, aprox. 155,000 miles, no rust that I have found anywhere, original paint (cream color). Manual windows, sunroof, no air(none from factory) Is there something that I should look at with this model, I am not familiar with it at all. There is also no paper history... Asking $3000, what do you all think? The vin is:
WDBAB33A1DB024952
The Russian site doesn't work, any where else a guy can check a vin? Any insights would be great, Thanks, Matt

AFAIK thats a euro car. So over here, very rare.

Yep that would be a European cars which 'shouldn't be here but it certainly sounds like one. Any possibility of posting a few pictures so that we can confirm? (Never know, might be a product of badge engineering)

It is a model never offered here. It will be a very slow but reliable and decent car if in good shape. I have seen a very few in the last 25 years.

Lets see a basically 240 d with four hundred less cc engine capacity teemed with an automatic. You should check the rear end ratio as it is stamped on the housing edge.

Higher ratio you are not going to be too happy on the highway if more than the 3.69 gearing the two forty has. Even with the 3.69 it might be low performance. Make sure you drive it out on the highway before commiting for purchase. You may be happy with it.

Err yes there are quite a few of them over here - the price is about right for a nice one in Europe but I guess it is a bit high for where you are...

I was thinking it was high too... Here are a couple of pictures that he sent me. Sure seems to be in nice shape, though. Has there been problems with the heating system on these like there was on every one of my 300D's and E's ?

The asking price might not be to bad if in very good to excellent shape. The price on these cars goes way up, when in nice shape. Also, how well it was maintained. You can rack up a lot of money replacing brakes, hoes, belts etc. I don't parts for the W123 are any worse than other cars. I think they are better built initially, so parts don't get replaced as the car trudges on.
Tom

I certainly would want all new hoes too....:P

$3000 seems a little high for the bottom-rung w123 with no options. Condition is everything, so a perfect 200D like that might be worth the $3000 to you, but I'd want it closer to $2000 knowing you'll have to put at least $1000 in it the day you buy it.

Drive it - if it still feels "tight", then it's a good one. I would think a 200D on today's roads would be a nightmare vehicle to drive.

I haven't driven a 200D. I do have a 240D manual. I think it does OK, around here. I use mine for daily commute. I have 2-3 places where I wish it had a bit more acceleration. Also, mainly flat land to low rolling hills. I get by doing 55 mph. I could see this as not a car in a big city like Houston, etc. In cities you'd get run over. I'd drive it and see if it fits your drive and mentality of driving. If you have to be Speed Racer, it isn't the car for you.
Now price and condition. Mine is relatively rust free. A few surface spots. Check behind the battery. Then the jack holes. I'd also look in the trunk. Hoses are not to bad as far as price on these cars, nor are belts. So, I wouldn't shy away from them. Still, you ca wrap up a lot of money in parts. I do mean several thousand. I bought new brake parts, rotors, calipers, hoses, pads, Master cylinder, MC booster. I at least had $750 in that. That might have included clutch master and slave cylinder.
I still have some work to do. I recently bought tires. I think they were $70 each. So, are the tires new,good, ???. Shocks, I replaced mine recently too. I think $70 to $80 per shock. Mine really needed them. I think I need new ball joints and upper A-arms. At least next on the list.
It looks like the paint is in good shape. Still, always hard to judge from a picture. That should always factor into the price. Paint ain't cheap. Mine needs a good paint job. That could cost more than the asking price of that car. I might tackle it my self, but honestly, I have some other stuff I could make money at, that would/should pay for that.
Still, if it siutes your needs, is as good as you are saying, and you can live without A/C in WI, then maybe offer $2500 or so. I don't know if this would be a 2nd car or main ride. I don't think I'd like it as a main ride. I have a few other vehilces to cover long distances and snow.
Tom

There is a Euro W124 200D that floats around up here, I've been temped to put a note on his windshield, I'd own it out of novelty.

I am also thinking of it as a "novelty" and not a daily driver. I have a couple of Toyota's that fill that need. I have not seen it in person yet, very soon I hope and then I can make a better judgement. The owner says that it has a 2.4 diesel, that is a 240D engine, is it not? He also says that when it was imported, they(?) re-badged it as a 300D and that is also what the title says it is, curious indeed! It seems the Russian site is down, any other places to check on the VIN that anyone knows of? Thanks for everyones input. :)

Matt

With that story I'd run the vin before I bought anything.

Not really, I have been driving my 240D here in Houston for over 27 years, speed is a non issue as our roads and freeways are always clogged to a point that even 60HP 240D is an overkill for this town.

Vahe