I'm getting tired of how crummy my car is. I just did an engine transplant in my car, just because that's all I had the money for to keep my transportation reliable...

But the rest of my car is definitely beyond "rustic". I have a leaky heater core,now bypassed, no a/c (as in compressor nonexistent) bad paint, BAD rust under the battery tray, nothing in the cluster works, cracks in the dash, back windows inop, busted headlight doors, NO vacuum accessories and I'm REALLY tired of having that spring in my seat trying to get frisky with me....the list goes on and on. After seeing rust form behind the rear wheels, I think there's only one easy solution.

This might not be the most appropriate place to do it, but does anyone have a w123, preferably a 240d, with a nice body that needs a powertrain? Preferably cheap? Preferably southern AZ? I will be looking to buy something next month, so just throw the idea around...

of course I know I could FIX things on my current car, but I think it would be a more cost effective route to use my beater as a parts car for something already pretty.

This is why I always caution people against doing a big body job or an engine rebuild on an older car. You spend a pile of cash and it's still the same old bag of bones.

In your case you did the sensible thing with the used motor install.

It honestly sounds to me more like you've reached the end of the road with this car, than the car is done. Battery tray rust, a bad seat and lousy headlamp doors do not a wreck make.... Come up and live in the rustbelt if you don't believe me on that. (I've seen what some of you guys in the southwest call rust , and it wouldn't be a huge concern in my neck of the woods.)

Ok enough of poking you with a stick.

I would suggest you put a 'WTB" ad in both our used parts for sale and used cars for sale sections. Also look for one of those sites that lets you search multiple craigslist sites at once.

If there's a euro import, or even better a Benz, specialist nearby you could also have a chat with the owner. Sometimes people give up on cars that have lots of life left.

If you have the wherewithal to trailer a car back to Tucson, all the better. In that case I would poke around Southern Cali. From what I hear, people park decent cars at the junkyard (or give to charity lots) for little reason. Probably a few post-Lovecraft WVO victims sitting around unwanted there too.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

very true about the rust. the car is still structurally VERY sound. i feel bad about wanting to ditch my wheels, but i want a NICE mercedes, something i can take pride in. it just seems logical to try to find something more worth my while to drop my healthy engine and maybe trans into. i've even recently replaced my axles and ball joints. then i could find a good home for the remnants of my old car for somebody in the midwest or east coast (;

I drool over the nice western cars on ebay, you could drive it to CA with a laptop and drive home with a cherry car. Sell the bomber to someone there for whatever you can get for it.

I see plenty on craigs list for $2500 or less. Go to crazed list & set your search specs & check every day or so.

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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.

yeah i have been. Just thought i'd set my feelers out a little further.

Buy a new/ slightly used car, deal with the car payment. These cars are hobbies, not reliable transportation.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

You can't afford the car if you need to put it on payments. Better to ride a bike, walk, take a bus or cab or hitch hike than have payments.

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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.

That is ridiculous. Not everybody has 20k+ laying around for a car. Why would you shell out that kind of cash when you can borrow it for 1.8% SIMPLE interest? Some are 0% interest!

There is nothing wrong with borrowing money when you have the means to pay it back.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

The only reason to spend TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS on a personal use vehicle is because you have the money and want to spend it on that. A person with the most minimal wrenching skills (the lack of which should disqualify one from driving IMO) can get decent transportation that will last many thousands of miles without major maintenance for under $5000.

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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 401,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 26,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
99 Mazda Miata 183,xxx miles.

When you say many thousands, do you mean 10k? 20K? A new car will run with just oil changes for 100k..

Not everybody wants to change their cars out every 6 months.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

See America.

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1987 300TDT - 195,000 (Original #14 head)
1993 190E 2.3 - 105,000
1981 300D - 250,000

hahaha, wow. Yeah I'm not buying a new car, if I could figure out a way to finance an 80's or older Benz, I would... The most modern car I would ever drive would be a 15 year old toyota or honda, but that would only be if I got a stellar deal. However I definitely appreciate any and all advice I receive on this forum.

That first car on that first list whunter posted, I missed that one when I was searching for cars myself. That color is awesome! I had never considered a 115 before, I imagine swapping the motor from a 123 could be a pain! But man, I want that car. Any useful threads here on such an endeavor? I was also considering the sage green 240d on the 4th post, but I'd want to check it out first, the drivers door looks like its been repainted but it could still be a sweet ride. I like cars with unusual colors.

That's utter nonsense.

If I had $50k sitting in my hand for a new Ford F550 and Ford was going to give me 0% for 60 months I would be insane to pay cash for it.

I could put $5k down, make payments for 12-18 months, take the remaining $45k invest it making far more than 0%, than in one year pay it off, pocketing the return.

Why in the world would anyone turn down free money???

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200