Hey Guys,

I've been lurking here for a while reading up and searching for a low mile wagon. I'm considering this one on ebay, so have at it and tell me what you think of this one!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-Benz-300-Series_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trkparmsZalgoQ3dLVIQ26ituQ3dUCIQ26otnQ3d3Q26poQ3dLVIQ26psQ3d63Q26clkidQ3d6 887540986569722520QQ_trksidZp5197Q2em7QQcategoryZ6330QQitemZ120680191400#ht_500wt_1182

Thanks for your feedback,,

TM

It has the lovecraft WVO system installed on it so I would recommend that you run fast and run hard. This particular system is affectionately known as "lovecrap" for a reason. It has been responsible for destroying many good engines.

Damn fine wagon! Who knows what the history of the engine is until you check it out -may have not been operated much on veg as many people install these kits and then find out that they do not have a good oil source. I have an '84 Euro td wagon (no egr) and love mine but I sure wish it was as clean as the ebay car! Good luck!

Welcome to the forum!
We hope you will get all the help you need.
The forum is a friendly group that doesnt mess with anything. We call it how it is.

It sounded good until;

For the 300 veggie oil enthusiasts, I have installed the a love-craft recirculating filter system. This non invasive system can be easily removed for those purists out there. At 100 dollar oil you may want to take advantage of the savings. Lovecraft is one of the easiest WVO VO or Bio diesel systems out there. The system is professionally installed. Be green!!!

I would be inclined to run from it. Not only is it a WVO car, but it has the worst possible system on it. The presence of the system takes $2 to $3 k off the price !!

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Without that abomination installed I would say it was a great wagon, but still at a premium price. Why people feel the need to corrupt these fine machines with such trash is beyond me, same goes for all the biodiesel stickers I see on the back of once-pristine 123 and 126's..

Rant over, apologies. I would pass on it OP, there are plenty of nice low-mile wagons out there for less money and that have never been run on poison fuel.

To expand the discussion of this wagon, what would be the market price for this car? Taking into account the less than stellar WVO system of course. Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it.

TM

I would be tempted. It looks very nice. If the miles can be verified and it runs and starts well I would take a chance probably. I suspect it may have been run little eonoug to do real damage to the engine.

I don't know the ins and outs of purchasing on ebay but if I could reject the car if it did not run well or had been misrepresented I might go a couple more thousand on the price.

Good luck on a nice looking wagon.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

It certainly looks like it is worth more then where the bid is currently sitting. I don't know about the Love Craft. There is a ton of objection to it on the forum, as there is a lot of objection to just running or using used oil. Are you close enough to it to go look at it and to talk to the seller. If he has the dollars, maybe he just put that system on to make a better deal, (for himself) on the car. Maybe he has been told it will double his money. People hear and listen to all kinds of junk. If you are close enough to go look at it, then do that. Then you are also close enough to get it without shipping. Without going there in person, however, you could ask the seller if the refund is refundable if on winning the bid and then viewing the car, it is not what you expected and you want a refund. Most decent sellers will allow that, but you must find out in advance.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

Cars of this vintage at fairly high prices should undergo a thorough inspection by a mercedes mechanic. One with tons of experience on the 123 models before purchase. Also important to get the milage verified.

This represents only a tiny percentage of the purchase cost on cars like these. Better than getting the car and finding there is an expensive list of things that should be done. Also depending on what that mechanic observes he will have a feeling if the milage is true.

I almost feel a background check of any seller is indicated on these higher priced cars. How one does this is up to themselves.

There is a semi conflict here. In one sentance he states he loved the car. Then it's installed lovecrap system. Anyone knowing these cars does understand the two statements are at odds.

It is really up to the buyer to sort through all the issues involved when buying. One of these decently treated can have 250k on them and look the same in my opinion.

I know I sound harsh but normally if the car is as good as he claims there should have been a buyer in the wings local to him that had wanted it if he ever decided to sell.

On the otherhand the car may be totally legitimate. Ebay is a questionable place to deal on. There is someone out there that may bid very high without doing his homework.

I reviewed his feedback and he could be a dealer. That is not always a bad thing but has to be watched for. His selling an exotic italian sports car some time ago and some old trucks caught my attention.

All I am trying to drive home is it is always a buyer beware and they should always use due dilligence taking nothing for granted. With his bucks installing a lovecraft system is just not too consistant. At the same time we all do things that are less than logical from time to time.

The trapox would scare me away less than the lovecrap system, just get a bypass pipe for the ox and you're good to go.

I wouldn't let the Lovecraft system totally scare you away. He has only been running the car in the warm months, which is helpful for the veg system. Cold starts are what kill the engines with the Lovecraft system. I would also ask the seller how long the system has been in, and how many miles he's used it. It may have pretty minimal use. The car looks immaculate. And probably worth the 6k that it's at now. I would however pull the lovecraft system if you do buy it. I also would go look at the car, and drive it if you are close enough.

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This car looks awesome. I just looked at a similar W123 wagon that sold for 10K. It was an 85, Blue over blue. Perfect. Low mileage.

If you can afford 6-8K, buy it. I will soon have that close to that much invested in my W123. I'd rather start fresh with a beautiful example such as this one you have found.

Take all the negative commentary with a grain of salt. Someone needs a hug.

__________________
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.

You might consider adding your location to your profile, Travlinman.

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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.