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#1
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what should I do? Car purchase decision
I've currently got a 79 240D - I resurected from the dead. Its pretty beat up and rusty - lots of stuff doesn't work - but lots does. Brakes are new - I just put in a battery and new nozzles. I have motor mounts I just need to get the tools to install.
Flex disc's will arrive this week. Wheel bearings currenlty not good - will re-pack or replace when the castle nut tool arrives. E-brake not installed. AC doens't work - central locks dont work - sunroof doesn't open. Very rusty front clip - lots of rust around wheels and trunk - Run's like new now though and tranny shifts nice and firm. Anyway - I posed an ad on CL looking for a parts car willing to spend $400. A guy emailed me - He has an 81 240D - daily driver he wants $850 That is more than I really want to spend (or have) but - its a driver for less than what I have in my own rust bucket. His is even rustier than mine - but he has manual windows and a super cool MB wooden steering wheel. I'm very tempted - But now is really not the time for me to be blowing $850 He said he just installed an alternator, exhaust, brakes & tires. He then decided that it was too slow for Chicago traffic and doesn't want to drive it any longer (especially because the AC doesn't work). I think its a good deal - but I'm just not sure if I should do it. |
#2
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Why would you pay for something Rustier then what you've got? I'm sorry... I would pass on it. you can get a steering wheel and other bits if you want for your current car.
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hum..... 1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed |
#3
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I'm not sure I'd want 2 rust buckets. Maybe if I had a rust free example and needed a parts car I'd go for it.
Bottom line, it doesn't sound like you're ever going to get 1 solid car out of the 2.
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My occupational hazard bein' my occupation's just not around... 1980 300SD 1980 300SD |
#4
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Well really what could be better? You have one junker Mercedes and seem to be doing quite well. Perhaps with #2 you could switch a lot of parts around and make one better car. Keep in mind that a lot of rust on an old Mercedes is really bad news and usually is a sure and fast way to the junk yard. But if you are just looking for cheap transportation to and from work or school, maybe a "ricer" or even some small low end American cars might be a better choice.
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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! |
#6
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I got a 300TD that was completely rusted. I've been trying to repair the rust and it's a LOT more work than I thought it would be, and even when I'm finished, more rust will come in other places.
I would pass. Rust is the worst!
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'85 Euro 300D - 258k 4 spd manual '85 300TD Wagon - 180k - SOLD Always looking |
#7
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Quote:
Now - that one doesn't run - but as you can see - its in a garage! If I could get it cheap I probably would - especially if its not rusty! I hear you about having 2 marginal cars though - I was just looking for a parts junker not a running car. Heck - Mine is getting close to reliable as it is now. I need only install the new flex discs and pack the wheel bearings (when the tool arrives) and I should be on the road for real. It would be nice to find a rust free shell that I could drop my drive trane into. Then I would have the best of both worlds! |
#8
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I know - rust sucks! Illinois winter salt! cant do anything about it.
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#9
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I'll add -- stay away from rusty W123s! That's my only advice... you have a rusty daily driver already, and you know what it needs. Another one would only be an unknown quantity unless you had REALLY extensive service records (unlikely on a cheap, rusty Benz). Keep yours on the road while you look for one with a solid body.
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1992 300D 2.5T 1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold) 1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy" 1974 Triumph TR6 1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's) |
#10
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Quote:
FWIW, There is a rusty 300D owned by a tow operator in middle tn that could be had for ~$500 - what he says a yard would pay.
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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do. |
#11
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I'd pass on the second rust bucket. On the one you have now, there are three tiers of importance when it comes to maintenance:
1. The important stuff: Things that make the car (in order of importance) stop, turn, and go. 2. The sort of important stuff: Things that don't do the three things above, but are needed to make the car road legal. 3. Everything else. It sounds like you're getting #1 sorted out. Just take care of that and #2, ignore #3, and use the car as a bad weather commuter until the rust gets too severe, then junk it. To save fuel money on nicer days, you can ride your Harley to work.
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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar. 83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles 08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles 88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress. |
#12
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I like you skippy. That is just what I want to do - drive the stinking wheels off this thing for as little cash as I can possibly lay out.
I will have it on the road and reliable soon - so long as I dont find some other issue that jumps up. After It's safely running for a good couple weeks - I'm converting it to run on grease. I need to design the system though. No store bought stuff will do on the marmot. I'm still trying to decide if I should paint it orange with a rebel flag onthe roof just to piss the neighbors off. Ha. Not that a 240d could jump over anything - but they dont know that do they! |
#13
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yeah man, run your beater and save that 800 bucks toward repairs/something nicer.
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#14
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Ordinarily I would oppose grease conversions and General Lee paint jobs, but on a car this close to the bone yard, I say go for it. Have some fun with it.
__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar. 83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles 08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles 88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress. |
#15
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Are you saying you're getting the new car? If so, why did you ask the question? Sounds like a case of ask & only taking in the info that justifies what you originally wanted to do.
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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do. |
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