Hey guys, long time no talk. Hoping to get some input from you great people.

Have you ever done something you really, really, really don't want to do but begrudgingly do it anyway as it's just the right thing to do? This is what I'm facing as I sell what is my favorite car I've ever owned, a 1983 300d turbo.

In short, she needs work and love that I can't give her. I'm graduating from college this month and have accepted a job in Seattle, and as I have been driving a small econo-box toyota for the last few months, need to make a choice on which car to take up with me. Shipping the Benz while it awaits restoration is sadly not an option, although if I had all the money in the world of course I would do it but I am a student just starting out on my own in a new state.

The thing is I have no idea what it is worth in its condition. As the 'sale' forum notes that it is for ad postings only and not replies, I thought this might be the best place to get feedback from you excellent people. If this is in the wrong place, please let me know!

For some reason, I'm sentimental with this car over all the others I've had. In my dreams, someone would take her in to lovingly restore it to its previous glory- but I know she might be used for parts as I'm sure there are better restoration candidates available. With this in mind-

The good:
She turns over without hesitation and chugs along like a champ. All oil changes have been on time, rear axles replaced. AC updated to the newer version. Original wheels, Solid feel, fun to drive with working turbo.

The bad:
Seatbelt on driver's side jammed. Recently, a shattered rear driver's window. Tires in poor shape. Rust behind rear wheels, with cheap 'overspray' paint job. Driver's seat has been replaced once already and is showing wear. Stained carpet and Instrument panel light out, lots of very tiny things like this- shows her age. I actually suspect the car might have had a 'donor' engine, as when I tried to find a part online the one that fit was for a later model. registration and inspection out, clean title

So guys- what would you charge? Would you sell her on craigslist, ebay, maybe try here?

I'm just so lost. I don't want to let her go but I feel like I have no choice. At help or feedback at all would be great. Don't hold back,now. I just wanted to get some input from you great people before I take the plunge. Pictures below for you.











Thank you thank you thank you!

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"It was Trout’s fantasy that somebody would be outraged by the footprints. This would give him the opportunity to reply grandly, “What is it that offends you so? I am simply using man’s first printing press. You are reading a bold and universal headline which says ’I am here, I am here, I am here.’"

Looks like a good fixer upper. Hard to suggest a price from pictures.

Is that 719,000 miles?

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

It is actually at the mileage shown!

I believe it's inflated/incorrect however because the wheels were perhaps at one time changed to a different diameter(13 replaced with 14 in wheels maybe?)

But yeah, I bought it at 600k + miles and have driven it for years. Everyone thought I was crazy but was jealous later at its robustness over time.

Also feedback on the pictures- what are the type of pictures that one really looks for when buying a car? Are there any particularly informative pictures I can take? I of course want to represent the best aspects of the car while not at all attempting to hide any of its issues from potential buyers. Maybe you have tips or there is a guide online?

Thanks again T

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"It was Trout’s fantasy that somebody would be outraged by the footprints. This would give him the opportunity to reply grandly, “What is it that offends you so? I am simply using man’s first printing press. You are reading a bold and universal headline which says ’I am here, I am here, I am here.’"

Don't want to disappoint you. Take $100 above scrap value and be happy. No one, even dieselheads would pay more than $500 for it.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

I can't see the photos.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

ah-kay


its ok, this is totally the type of feedback I am looking for.

The thing is if the window and seatbelt were fixed, I could sell her as a daily driver really. It was mine until just recently. Surely to me it seems any running car is worth over 100$

What makes it so worthless? is it a really common model/just too many things wrong with it?

But I have sadly considered the fact that it's really more of a candidate for a scrap heap/junk buyer

__________________
"It was Trout’s fantasy that somebody would be outraged by the footprints. This would give him the opportunity to reply grandly, “What is it that offends you so? I am simply using man’s first printing press. You are reading a bold and universal headline which says ’I am here, I am here, I am here.’"

Here is a link to the alblum of photos in case you can't see them in the above post: My Old 300d - Album on Imgur

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"It was Trout’s fantasy that somebody would be outraged by the footprints. This would give him the opportunity to reply grandly, “What is it that offends you so? I am simply using man’s first printing press. You are reading a bold and universal headline which says ’I am here, I am here, I am here.’"

I'd buy it solely for the novelty value of seeing it to a million, if for no other reason. Doesn't look too bad to me though.

I think your pics are good. All four sides, engine, and interior is usually all I want so I can decide if I want to see it in person.

-Rog

The engine looks pretty clean and dry. If it were here in Indiana and it drove and ran good I'd prolly be interested (if I needed any more old benzos) at something between 500 and 1000, depending on how good the engine appears.

I'm not sure of scrap value....400 maybe?

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The best possible decision would be to donate it to a racing program like - say - mine. I don't have a back-up engine in the event of catastrophic engine failure. Guess I could make a trip to see the bro in San Antonio and pick up an engine while I'm at it. Or the whole car - I can bring the trailer.

Another option - find an independent M-B service facility in your area. They could make a PnP run and pick up the back window and whatever else is necessary to make it a driver, then install said bits. Offer to split the money with them. You'll probably do OK and the facility should make a couple of $$ too.

Really, it doesn't look all that bad - especially for that mileage. Seems like if it's upgraded to "driver" status it should be worth $1,000 or so.

Dan

Well, it does seem as tho you are between a rock and a hard spot. The question that I have is if the car is a good daily driver, why are you not driving it. Maybe fuel cost made you do it. A rice burner can really stretch the fuel dollars.
But you wish to sell it. I think Craigslist would be the way to go. But then you have to deal with people, some are mean, some are nasty, some are dangerous also. So be careful when on Craigslist. How much could you sell it for on Craigslist. My thinking is that if it is cleaned up and shown in its best possible light, maybe $900.00. Hardly enough to justify messing with all the creeps that want to come out on a rainy night to look at your 83 Mercedes 300D.
So if you want to get rid of the car and don't want to deal with those kind of people, (tho you might turn up a really nice guy who is just looking for that car), I would find out the location of the nearest "Pick A Part or Pull A Part yard and see who is paying the best price. Most of these yards pay a premium for any car that drives into the yard, is basically free of junk in the car and trunk, has a battery and keys. I would suspect that currently a 300D would bring $750.00. If they have to pick the car up, expect 50% of that or less.
Of course you can always list it on the Forum. Conversations with the PM system of the Forum are great, or use Email and from Email you can always go to telephone. But the Forum, like Ebay, covers continental North America. So then if you list the car for $995.00, the buyer says I could use the car at that price, but then shipping and or other transportation has to be considered and that dramatically increases the price and probability of selling the car. But it is very low cost to try and see what happens. But give your closest P & P a call, and see what they offer.

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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!

Those miles are impressive....makes me reconsider selling my 84 with a mere 263k!

Best of luck in your move to Seattle! Tell yourself you'll buy another old Benz some day.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 159k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 179k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 77k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

"Those miles are impressive....makes me reconsider selling my 84 with a mere 263k!"


Come on! You guys aren't buying that 600,000 mile line on a speedo that shows , What? like 74,000 and she says that it should even show "more" miles because the car has been change to 14" wheels. Changing from 13" to 14" will show a few less miles, and not many. Typical girl speak. Car is an uncared for relic in need of a lot of repair, parts, cleanup and paint. The car probably has 200 thou plus like most of them do

__________________
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!

I have no advice for $$$ value but this is all I can say.

1) The car 'as is' would have a hard time attracting buyers but the the die-hard dieselheads.
2) Fix up the window and seat belt and make the car drivable as a DD then it will be more attractive to average buyer.
3) Oil burner or WVO capable cars worth much more in Seattle. There are a lot of tree-huggers and environmentalists looking for a DD, even though a bit beat up, but WVO capable.
4) Make it a DD again and drive it to Seattle. You have the bragging right of a car at 700+K miles and counting. That worth a lot in Washington State. I think it makes more sense if you trust your car can make the journey.

__________________
Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

For what it's worth, 13" wheels won't fit on a W123, nor any Mercedes newer than 1968.

__________________
Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles