Is it worth this much?
 

OK so normally I avoid these little independent brokers like the plague! But I have seen this advertised for months now and finally went to check it out today. Best looking interior I've seen on a 77 240. Seats are perfect, no body rot, carpets are pristine. Ac works, and it only has 88k miles on the engine. Once we got it jumped as it had sat a while it just purred. Headliner is perfect, all the lights work.

The bad on this was the window seals are shot on the front and back. Or getting close. I told the guy it wouldn't be rust free for long if he didn't fix that. But inside I could see no traces of water leakage. It has a crappy $200 paint job to paint it cream. Looks good till you get up on it. The car was Yellow. And a few tiny surface rust bubbles are popping up. It also doesn't have a sun roof. Big bummer for me because I love spring and fall with the sunroof open. No car fax as it's too old. Somebody ditched the Becker in favor of a modern pioneer. Needs new shift bushings. Had to put it in low to get it in drive.

I drove it a while and it;s evident the engine is in great shape. Great accelereation for an automatic even with the AC on. Transmission is very solid. No rough shifts. No smoke even after the first start in weeks after they had let the battery go dead.

I think I can get it for $3200. Is it worth that price? I tried NADA classic car. What do yall think?.

1977 Mercedes-Benz 240D

$3200 is too much for too many small problems cropping. $1500 or take a walk. That's even pushing it for me. There's plenty better for $3200 (and less)

I do not know the going rate in your nick of the wood but these are my comments.

1) Do you honestly believe it has only 88K?
2) The $200 paint job is probably done by the dealership to move the car.
3) Dash is cracked.

If the engine and tranny are strong then may be it is worth consideration. A/C works is a plus. I would look pass the window seals and paint work. The car is 36 years old so there will be some work on rubber, engine mount, suspension parts. If you wrench it yourself then may be you can get it into tip top condition over time for little money. Kind of drive as you fix. How about start with $2200 and see their reaction. I find buying $1000 beater costs more at the end.

Good luck.

No.

$3200 seems a bit high.
Can the seller provide any provenance?
If the 88k is legit, then the price gets a lot more reasonable.

Absolutely no telling what is under the crappy paint job. Perhaps rust which would go with the bubbles. It is just an old car until you get it to where it needs nothing. Besides, there is much that you didn't see in your first look.

dunno. the seats and floors look like 88k but the steering wheel and dash dont?? 3200 is still too much for a 36 year old 240D with a wacky paint job... $1900?

Thanks for the opinions guys! I keep telling myself to be patient and just fix the three I have, but I just really want one I can drive so I keep gravitating to looking at cars that need much less body work than mine do! After helping another member tomorrow get a car started I have been inspired to try to tackle the ungodly rust on my 1982. I have a Klokerholm rocker and complete floor pan. <<holds breath at the idea of replacing both>>

Where is the rust popping up? Are the bubbles soft ( like under the thickness of paint) or hard ( like under thicker putty )? Or are the bubbles visibly brown like there was a paint chip left unattended to?

Bubbles under the surface is a sign that the rust is occurring on the other side of the metal and is far worse than you can see.

Roll the windows down, use a flashlight with a tight beam and shine it into the window slot, usually you can see to the base of the door. Look for putty pushing through any rust holes / dents. Lift the carpets / push around the floor, look in the trunk wells for rust.

Usually those of us in the rust belt go to your area to find a non rusty car. But, given galvanized steel wasn't used much in the early years damp and rain water will rust older cars.

What is it worth? I don't know as they are not my thing. Rust work is expensive , hanging mechanical parts on an otherwise solid shell is no big deal.

Even here where everything is more expensive that would be too much money.

If it does truly have 88k it is worth that but from a dealer like that one... I can almost guarantee the mileage is not right.

I am jealous of the Bamboo interior though.

shift bushings do not wear out from age... they wear out from use. like 200K use...
if it's 88K, the brake and fuel pedals should still have solid patterns on them, the steering wheel should have distinct molding patterns, and the shifter bushings should be intact.
it takes 6 minutes to pull the odometer and install a lower miles one.
it takes 20 minutes to roll back the stock odometer. jot down the speedometer part number... odds are good it is a pull from a 300, which would have the speed lower than you are traveling. (gear ratio is 3.69 on 240, it's 3.46-2.88 on a 300)
cheapo paint and rotten shift bushings are my deal breakers. 1000?

FWIW the shifter bushings have failed twice on my 240D with a known 135k miles. The first time was in 2005 when the car had about 113k miles and then again a few months ago.

Its been sitting for months for a reason. Others have looked and passed.

You are missing something glaring. Take a buddy with you who will tell you the truth
about what you are seeing.

Why repaint a Benz with 88K? Maybe because it was wrecked ? Maybe because it has 188K ??

I've been seeing that car as well, and you already have 3 that need work. I'd pass for certain at that price.