Sell my 98 E300TD?

[98E300TDman]

Folks, I do not know whether to sell my 98 E300TD. Motivation to sell is primarily financial -- will the car cost more in the next year than 12 months of car payments?

220K, needs one glowplug, sunroof repair, one lightbulb and a patch for the front drivers seat. Last year, I put $5k into the car with an all new fuel system, radiator, water pump, 5/6 glow plugs. At the moment, the car is running as well as it ever has run. There are a few rust spots on the inner wheel wells in the rear.

Curious what everyone thinks? Sell? or not?

Since price may be asked, I would take $3k for it probably. Dealer trade in is probably below that, sadly.

I have really loved this car and it has done a great job.

Thanks!

[300TD/WI]

Price sounds good and i would be interested. Any pix?? And what part of the country are you?

[sloride]

Where are you located? That does sound like a 3 to 5K car around here due to the rust issue as the spring perches are a common problem.I am currently looking for a 1996/1998 300D so you can PM me or add more detail here. Going back to your initial question will it cost more than 12 months of car payments depends on what you are looking to purchase after selling your 98 300D. You will most likely spend less keeping your MB going than payments on a new Bentley.

[KarTek]

Much of the economy of owning these cars is doing the work yourself. How much of the previous repairs did you do?

The remaining work doesn't sound excessive. From a running perspective, you've covered the common areas on this car.

[98E300TDman]

I have done very little work myself. The car has been well maintained at Silver Star Motors in Vienna, VA, they have done excellent work. New MB transmission at 100k (wife ran over something bad). One other thing, the AM radio does not work I suspect the antenna is disconnected. Haven't used the A/C enough this year but it seems OK. There were two accidents (both my wife driving LOL) which required the front of the car to be re-built. In one of these cases the repair was about $10k (no collision insurance -- I have never myself been in an accident while driving).

I am in Northern VA... would be planning to buy something in the $12 to $15k range, second hand, something reliable for my commute which is about 40 miles/day.

I don't know... the more I write about it the more I feel I should keep it!! I think I would miss the solid ride and feel of the car.

I will post some pics soon.

By the way, this forum has helped a lot. One time, the A/C was not working with odd symptoms. The mechanic estimated $1,500. I found the exact occurrence of symptoms on this forum and asked the mechanic to "trust me" and replace the A/C relay for under $100. He did, and the problem was fixed!!

[sloride]

I would suggest on you keeping it, if it is reliable transportation now. As far as selling it, having service records since new does add to the value and knowing where it was licensed throughout it's history. But if you do decide to sell you would get better than tradein value here from a member than a dealer if there are no real issues. Good luck with whatever you decide. You can also PM me if you do decide to sell.

[Skid Row Joe]

From what you posted, I'd be inclined to believe that you'd get a better trade-in value in a more expedient manner than you'd get here. I might be wrong, but what you're expecting "$3K," could probably be done in a flash shopping a few dealers, as well as saving the sales tax on the trade-in's allowance given to you for buying from a dealer. If it runs, it's possibly worth even a couple grand more allowance to you on the deal. Good luck with whatever you buy.

[pawoSD]

With that much work done to it recently there's no reason it should not be a reliable daily driver for many more years.

[Pabster]

I would keep it and ride it into the ground. I live in NOVA and have a 1997E300D and know the stealer will give you only dirt for yours. Its not going to depreciate anymore. However, these cars do need to be taken care of and not neglected and this is where DIYers using Peachparts.com excel.

You can sell it easily on craigslist for the price you will take. There are a number of buyers looking for these cars.....DIYers, WVO types, and those who just love these cars.

Pabster

[vstech]

I'm guessing this is a Sedan, not a TD wagon, correct?
you are using TD to say turbo diesel, correct? the vehicle does not say TD on the rear?

if it's a true TD wagon, um... please post pictures... and, yeah... I'll buy it.

[WINGAS]

SO , its the stuck GP causing you concern? I busted off two in my 97 recently. It did cost over a grand at a local mechnics to have his tech carefully remove the two GPs.

Prior to that I had swapped out the VacP, waterP, and the alt was swapped at 180k.

Trans fluid at 233k, and now at 235K all the major stuff been done and it's got an easy 100K in it with nothing major but maybe the injectors redone finally. Although it runs super smooth. Timing chains at 300k are a concern too I suppose.

I donnow man,. 3K is cheap for a car with one stuck GP. And you dont need to pull the head unless its not sealing well anymore anyways.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by vstech

I'm guessing this is a Sedan, not a TD wagon, correct?
you are using TD to say turbo diesel, correct? the vehicle does not say TD on the rear?

if it's a true TD wagon, um... please post pictures... and, yeah... I'll buy it.

It'll make you a good car, John. I've enjoyed the heck out of mine!

[97 SL320]

A few things:

To those that alter the name " Dealer " to something else, feel free to buy a franchise, and run it in a manner that addresses the problems you see with a dealer. I'm guessing those that alter the name have never owned a real business, nor do they know how to run one. Another hint, you can't buy used cars over what they will sell for on the lot. New car dealers don't want any car over ~ 5 years old because few go to a new car dealer for older stock.

If the OP is willing to sell the car for $ 3,000 but has $ 12 to $15,000 to spend on another car, run what you have until something big goes wrong then step out of it. $ 3 K is hardly worth selling a running car for that only needs to go 40 mi day. You car has a high residual to the right person due to the 606 Turbo engine. A generic 4,200 lb car at a scrap metal facility will bring ~ $ 500 so yours will be worth more than that.

Will the new / used car be financed? If so, start putting away ~ $ 300 per month then when your current car is unfixable, you will have a good down payment. Or maybe even a outright purchase. . .( $ 12,000 / 48 months + interest = ) If your car makes it only another 10 months ( $ 3,000 ) you will have put away what you would have been paying towards the loan by selling it. Any distance past that is "free". This is all a risk, the car could blow up the next time you turn the key but $ 3,000 is hardly a huge sum considering what a good car costs.

Don't forget, a financed car will require full insurance coverage where it seems you current car does not.

[Codifex Maximus]

I agree on keeping it. You know the car now.

If you sell it, you will only have to learn the in's and out's of another car and it's hidden problems just to get back to square one. You paid for those repairs, depreciate em.

[GreenDiesel]

I've often pondered the same question on my 1995 E300D. What always changes my mind is the fact that nearly 10% of the purchase price (in Missouri) will go to tax/title/fees.

At $15,000 that's $1,500! That $1,500 I will never get back will cover a lot of repairs.

and

+1 on Codifex Maximus on learning the ins and outs of a new-to-you car. After owning my E300D for two years I know what to look for and what to keep up on. A new-to-me used car will come with a whole new learning curve.

Although the OM606 variants have their trouble spots I've found the motor incredibly easy to work on. As others have mentioned doing some of the work yourself will make your cost outlays much more manageable.