Opinions Wanted - Please! (Decisions, Decisions...) - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #31 01-12-2014, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

It took almost a full month, but I was finally able to get the w210. (as described in my first post.)

It's a nice car - definitely "different" than the 124. I'm not going to say 'better' or 'worse', just different. It will take more time to adequately assess it.

Of course the additional power is nice, and the gearing allows for more relaxed RPM's on the highway, which will be nice over the long haul. The torque really allows the car to push & squeeze through traffic with less effort, and hills are not a struggle. The turbo lag can be noticeable at times, but it's no big deal. It's kind of like the car is saying (for a second) "this is how the normally aspirated 606 feels... and now this is the difference." It's not like an early 3-liter 930, but it's not like a variable nozzle setup either.

Now I have to make some room and get rid of one of my other cars. That's the hardest part.

Thanks for the update. I am sure the previous owners are as happy that someone is going to take care of their former car, and you will be happy owning and driving it.

t walgamuth · #32 01-12-2014, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

It took almost a full month, but I was finally able to get the w210. (as described in my first post.)

It's a nice car - definitely "different" than the 124. I'm not going to say 'better' or 'worse', just different. It will take more time to adequately assess it.

Of course the additional power is nice, and the gearing allows for more relaxed RPM's on the highway, which will be nice over the long haul. The torque really allows the car to push & squeeze through traffic with less effort, and hills are not a struggle. The turbo lag can be noticeable at times, but it's no big deal. It's kind of like the car is saying (for a second) "this is how the normally aspirated 606 feels... and now this is the difference." It's not like an early 3-liter 930, but it's not like a variable nozzle setup either.

Now I have to make some room and get rid of one of my other cars. That's the hardest part.

cool! did you get a good deal?

ROLLGUY · #33 01-12-2014, 12:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

cool! did you get a good deal?

Yes, inquiring minds want to know....

RunningTooHot · #34 01-12-2014, 02:33 PM

It depends upon what one considers a "good deal". In many peoples minds I probably overpaid for it. Others may think I got an excellent deal.

I'm looking at it from the perspective that I will (likely) have this car for a long LONG LONG time, and the amortized cost is (hopefully) going to be extremely low no matter what.

The real question is how often can one find a 16 year old car with 128,000 miles that has had one (elderly) owner from new, which has been EXTREMELY well maintained, and has lived in the Nevada desert it's entire life? (No rust & spring perch issue's for me to worry about!) This was their "other" Mercedes and was used primarily for long road trips between Nevada and Los Angeles to visit their kids & grandkids. So a majority of those 128,000 miles were all highway miles, which is like icing on the cake!

The car is not aesthetically perfect because it has stone chips on the front, and 3 really minor parking lot dings - other than that, it has been garaged it's entire life so the paint is excellent, and the (xenon!) headlights are crystal clear. Aesthetics are nice, but above everything else, mechanical integrity is the most important factor for me.

I've had my '95 w124 for more than 10 years. If I overpaid $1,000 for the w210, the amortized cost of that over 10 years is $8.33 per month. I think I can live with that.

w210 turbodiesel prices are all over the map. Let's try something - I have no problem telling you guys what I truly (over?)paid for it, but how about a few guesses/opinions on what you guys think a car like this is really worth in today's market? I'm curious to know your thoughts, but let's be honest about it - if you were looking for a car, and you found THIS car, what would it be worth to YOU as a long-term keeper? (not as a "flipper" to make a few bucks!)

ROLLGUY · #35 01-12-2014, 08:21 PM

I can say that my friend bought a '99 smoke silver E300 with about 110,000 original miles on it, and he paid $8,000 for it. It had a few dings on it as well, and a worn out driver seat insert. A trip to the upholstery and body shop has taken care of the imperfections, and he loves the car. By the way, the car came with $3,500 wort of recent repairs (head gasket and other needed repairs and maintenance ). I would say that even if you paid closer to $10,000 for yours, you did not do too bad. A garage kept, low mileage, well maintained car like yours will last a long time, and serve you well and turn out to be worth every penny.

RunningTooHot · #36 01-12-2014, 11:32 PM

Hmmm..... A head gasket prior to 110,000 miles??? That is very uncharacteristic for the 606 engines. Perhaps the radiator neck snapped and the PO didn't catch it until it overheated severely enough to take out the head gasket? Just speculation on my part. (I'm not sure when the factory radiators started coming with the reinforced upper necks.)

In looking through the service records on mine, the MBZ dealer replaced the radiator, water pump, & thermostat when the car had 88,000 miles on it.

Concern: On the same invoice, a transmission service is listed, and it says "Dex-4" (Uh-Oh?)

Same invoice: rear flex disc, brake fluid flush, synthetic differential oil exchange, and front brake rotors & pads. Total bill: $3,158.36. Ouch.

ROLLGUY · #37 01-12-2014, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

Hmmm..... A head gasket prior to 110,000 miles??? That is very uncharacteristic for the 606 engines. Perhaps the radiator neck snapped and the PO didn't catch it until it overheated severely enough to take out the head gasket? Just speculation on my part. (I'm not sure when the factory radiators started coming with the reinforced upper necks.)

I am not exactly sure, it was second hand info. Either way, the service that was performed was thought to be needed, so I will not second guess why. Having any service records is a bonus, regardless of what was done and at what interval. Be thankful that that is money that YOU did not have to spend!

ROLLGUY · #38 01-13-2014, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

Concern: On the same invoice, a transmission service is listed, and it says "Dex-4" (Uh-Oh?)

I am not the expert on ATF, but I have talked with my local trans expert on the specs of different ATF. From the information I heard, the only difference between Dex-4 and Mercedes Benz brand ATF is several dollars per quart. The additive package of both fluids are comparable. Don't quote me on this, and I don't want to start an ATF war either. There may be a thread already going that should settle it....Rich

RunningTooHot · #39 01-13-2014, 12:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

Be thankful that that is money that YOU did not have to spend!

You're preaching to the choir!

Yeah, best to avoid the ATF wars. The oil wars. The brake fluid wars. Etc., etc.

The only thing I felt like I've "rolled the dice" on is the transmission. It feels fine, but seriously, what do I know of the early 722.6's? (other than fear of pilot bushing or sprag clutch self-destruction?)

I was thinking of paying to have it serviced during the pre-purchase inspection to check for shrapnel in the pan & filter. But instead, I figured I'd take a gamble and buy the car, then do a trans service - and while I'm in there, replace the conductor plate, electrical connector, the pressure regulator spring that sometimes breaks, and maybe even put in the Sonnax kit too. If it all looks good, I'll button it up and cross my fingers. If there's shrapnel in there, well.... I'll use my tears as a solvent to wipe the pan clean.

ROLLGUY · #40 01-13-2014, 12:25 AM

If you don't have one, buy the dipstick (not provided with the car) to check the level. I got mine on Amazon (cheapest I could find). My car had a very small leak on one of he trans cooler fittings, so I needed to check the fluid level, but was bummed out when I found no dipstick in the tube! Also, the red plastic locking clip (one time use) on the dipstick tube cap can actually be reused. Or you can replace the cap and lock each time you have to check the level. Just sliding the broken clip in the slot will hold the cap on.

otto huber · #41 01-14-2014, 04:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

That is true....I was browbeaten into the purchase by Sixto and GSXR, as if I were barely worthy of MB ownership if I passed on the car. (Jeremy5848, though party to the dialogue, was relatively innocent of coercion.) But, when I handed over the cash, I was fully convinced.

I asked Sixto if he would provide 0.1% financing, but then he got strangely quiet.

Sixto likes to purchase cars vicariously through his friends. He forwarded me the CL ad that listed the 300SD I currently own, and if he had his way I'd have 10 other cars parked around the block.

VW1300 · #42 01-17-2014, 11:54 PM

@ OP - Congratulations on the purchase! Regarding whether you paid too much, I figure you don't really know until a year in. Sounds promising though.

Pictures?

65aircooled · #43 01-18-2014, 12:13 AM

If you are happy with the car then you paid the rigth price, that's how I see it.
Hope you get to enjoy it for many miles to come. Lets see some pics

Skid Row Joe · #44 01-18-2014, 01:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

Hmmm..... A head gasket prior to 110,000 miles??? That is very uncharacteristic for the 606 engines. Perhaps the radiator neck snapped and the PO didn't catch it until it overheated severely enough to take out the head gasket? Just speculation on my part. (I'm not sure when the factory radiators started coming with the reinforced upper necks.)

In looking through the service records on mine, the MBZ dealer replaced the radiator, water pump, & thermostat when the car had 88,000 miles on it.

Concern: On the same invoice, a transmission service is listed, and it says "Dex-4" (Uh-Oh?)

Same invoice: rear flex disc, brake fluid flush, synthetic differential oil exchange, and front brake rotors & pads. Total bill: $3,158.36. Ouch.

To me, those sound like odd repairs to have been necessary on a car that youthful. Especially a garaged, one-owner, with those miles. I wonder if the car's engine was run when overheated?

One thing is certain, there is no predicting the when of certain parts going kablooey, but finding the reason(s) they failed is really what you want to try and find out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RunningTooHot

It depends upon what one considers a "good deal". In many peoples minds I probably overpaid for it. Others may think I got an excellent deal.

I'm looking at it from the perspective that I will (likely) have this car for a long LONG LONG time, and the amortized cost is (hopefully) going to be extremely low no matter what.

The real question is how often can one find a 16 year old car with 128,000 miles that has had one (elderly) owner from new, which has been EXTREMELY well maintained, and has lived in the Nevada desert it's entire life? (No rust & spring perch issue's for me to worry about!) This was their "other" Mercedes and was used primarily for long road trips between Nevada and Los Angeles to visit their kids & grandkids. So a majority of those 128,000 miles were all highway miles, which is like icing on the cake!

The car is not aesthetically perfect because it has stone chips on the front, and 3 really minor parking lot dings - other than that, it has been garaged it's entire life so the paint is excellent, and the (xenon!) headlights are crystal clear. Aesthetics are nice, but above everything else, mechanical integrity is the most important factor for me.

I've had my '95 w124 for more than 10 years. If I overpaid $1,000 for the w210, the amortized cost of that over 10 years is $8.33 per month. I think I can live with that.

w210 turbodiesel prices are all over the map. Let's try something - I have no problem telling you guys what I truly (over?)paid for it, but how about a few guesses/opinions on what you guys think a car like this is really worth in today's market? I'm curious to know your thoughts, but let's be honest about it - if you were looking for a car, and you found THIS car, what would it be worth to YOU as a long-term keeper? (not as a "flipper" to make a few bucks!)

I've heard testimony of people paying anywhere from a tad over $1K to over $10K, for the 98/99 E300s, and a couple I know of who got there's for no charge from the previous owners. With that in mind, there's no telling what you paid for the car.

t walgamuth · #45 01-18-2014, 07:02 AM

Sounds like a nice one! I have paid over retail before for a really nice car.