The 300 ETD is a driver's car - not so much meant to be an all day cruiser. Ask me how I know.....

First of all, 2005, 2006 are CDIs, not Bluetecs. Straight 6's for 05,06. V6's for 07,08 Bluetec.

I've owned my CDI for 3 months now (today, as a matter of fact) and have put 10,500 miles on it. I have to say I love it. It's quiet, a ton of power, both off the line and highway passing. I'm running homemade B100 without issue. The brakes have been fine for me, they do seem a little grabby. I've heard they are not suited to the DIYer, but I'll certainly give it a shot when it's brake time.

I'm not sure how a turbo 210 compares with my NA 210 on power (obviously more, but I've never driven a turbo 210). The 210 suffers from rust, spring perches, and contactor plate in the transmission. The contactor plate is easy enough to change, but the car is in limp mode until reset by dealer, and plate, filter and fluid cost about $300.

The difference in power has me never wanting to drive my 97, it may be time to sell it.

I will say AllData is wonderful on both the 210 and 211, much easier to navigate than the Star CD that I have for the 97.

__________________
Mark in MA
05 MB E320CDI 402k Granite Grey Metallic
05 MB E320CDI 267k Black
05 MB E320CDI 232k White
05 MB E320CDI 209k Tectite Grey
99 Dodge 2500 Cummins 5sp 148k
62 Jeep CJ-6 120k

I got 4700 out of the insurance company which includes $300ish in tax/title/license.. nada classic guides "low retail" is what the guy used as a reference, said he couldn't go higher.

If I 'buy' the car from them, it effectively costs me $700. And I get a check for $4000ish.

Do you guys think its worth $700 and the labor to part it?

It has a very recent red top optima mercedes-polarity battery.
Two recent rear brake calipers.
Excellent condition wheels and michelins with 20k on them. (out of 80?)
Redone interior with good condition material(not sure if its leather or vinyl) on all seats (two tone tan and black) and matching on headliner and doors.
New springs under drivers seat.

New climate control unit.

Working A/C, heat, transmission, sunroof.

285k on the clock.

recent rear window motors, new passenger front motor.




They're letting me strip out the stereo parts, all speakers, amps and subwoofer even if I don't keep the car.

What do ya'll think?

Its definitely more than $700 in parts, but is it worth the headache and labor? I'm on 10 acres but I haven't built my shop yet and I'd have to put it under a tarp for a while.

I'm thinking about getting a 123 wagon, so the parts wouldn't be wasted.

I've got a 300SDL with a failing/slipping transmission, I don't know if its a usable swap. (1983 300D vs 86 300SDL) in regards to the gear ratios.


Thanks for any advice.

-L

This is something that I feel you have to decide on your own. The best advice I ever got 25 years ago was from my Dad, who told me to make decisions like this on my own.

I think you have gathered enough information to make the call.

I realize that the reasons against keeping it, storage, and labor are going to be specific to my situation. Perhaps I was hoping to hear that its worth so much more in parts than $700 that I would be dumb not to keep it and that I could recoup my money and then some very easily.

Besides the parts I rattled off, I don't know what else would be sought after on ebay or whatnot. I don't imagine people would be buying doors and trunk lids, etc.

You illuminated two things that come to mind:
* 1) your storage area (10 acres)
and
*2) labor/time fooling with parting-out a car that cost you $700 to try to make a profit from.

Ask yourself this in reverse: If you didn't know this car from Adam, would you pay $700 dollars for it to start a parting-out aftermarket business? I think the answer is no, but you have the luxury of being in the driver's seat on this car.

That's why after reading your situation AND taking into consideration the cost of "$700" only you can make the call. It may be a learning experience for you giving it a whirl at the used car parts market - I don't know.

If you are into MBs and have the luxury of 10 acres - then certainly this car would be a good test case to learn on. Keep a balance sheet on the car. See what your time value is to mess with the car, is all you can do. Most of us don't have even an acre to work with - so, really it's up to you.

A buddy/business colleague of mine has 25 acres, 20 miles or so miles east of Austin, Texas - he's got a love for Corvettes and da#n near anything old and Chevrolet. 25 years ago, he told me he had 40+ Corvette wrecks on his property. He's a bigtime/longtime Corvette lover from waay back, mind you.

We were riding around Dallas, Texas one night hitting a couple C & W clubs and he asked me how many miles were on my '80 Lincoln Town Car we were riding in. I bought the car new in 1979 and this was in 1985. I told him it was pushing 200K at that time. He said if I liked the car, I need to start looking for cars like it to buy and graveyard for parts when I needed 'em. He then told me that he had accumulated over 40 Corvettes for parts to canabalize for the better Corvettes he'd buy and sell.

That is an awesome, awesome, awesome interior! I'm planning on two-toning the interior in my W116 (tan and brown). I'm sorry to see such a nice and unique W123 being totaled. It's good that your injuries weren't severe and that the car has the safety features it has. I hope I never wreck my W116 since I plan on keeping it for life.

__________________
Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles

I'd tend to agree with the above.

You certainly would garner more than $700 if you purchased the car back and parted it out. It would certainly require more spare time than I can ever find.......

__________________
Jimmy L.
'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

Gee, I need a driver's door right now (just the metal). But not for $700 And I need several other interior parts it looks like you have.

Not to sway your decision

__________________
Mike Frederick
1986 300SDL, 240K+ miles
1985 300D KaliKar, 270K+ miles

If I were you - and you obviously have a love for MB diesels.....heck, go for it! I can't tell your age by the avatar pix, but you look like a strapping young guy in good shape, and a couple three decades younger than me.

With the advent of sites like PeachParts, craigslist, etc. AND your ability to take perfect pictures of the car and parts - I think you'd have fun parting it out.

Unless family members object to the car's 'status' as a car being parted out on the premises, I say go for it!

You probably know the Austin market better, but my impression is that there would be a market for most of the parts and you could probably recover the $700 - but it might take a while. I've seen more than a few trashed 123's listed as "great condition" on the Austin CL.

I'd recommend making a rough spreadsheet of parts you think are salvageable and put a low-ball value against that. Subtract out the cost to have the carcass hauled away (maybe $100-200?). I'd include window glass in the equation. Maybe a quick trip to a local PNP and see what they're charging for the same parts? That may be a reality check.

Are you looking at this 'gently used' 300TD? I can't say much for the seats, but I'm digging the roof rack!

http://austin.craigslist.org/ctd/2018087954.html