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#1
10-08-2002, 12:49 PM
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rationalizing another (the third) MB
I am just wondering if anyone has any ideas on whether or not I should purchase another MB wagon.
My family has only two drivers and the third won't have a liscense for at least another 14 years. Currently, we have the SDL for my daily 50mile commute and a TD for around the town with the kiddo. Am I insane to be seriously looking at a 300TD - 87 for around $6K? Benefits that I can see - driver side air bag - overall nicer car than the 84 - third seat, but it may be several years before needed - I can dedicate the 84 to be my surf/beach vehicle - the 87 TD is kinda the a rare car and should hold value as long as it doesn't get crashed - now I can always have one of my cars up on blocks... Does anyone have any ideas on these points ?
__________________
84 300TD - 235k - Farbe "Surfblau" bought at 213k 87 300SDL - 131k - Farbe "PimpGold" bought at 115k 00 Klepper Faltboot Expedition Double 
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#2
10-08-2002, 01:45 PM
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No, since the models you mention are among the last REAL
Mercedes-Benz-es...durable, beautiful, affordable, etc.
I divide MBs into "rich people's cars" and "smart people's cars," with the ones you have (or contemplate having) in the latter category. Last I looked, they weren't making any more of them...stock up NOW!
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#3
10-08-2002, 02:24 PM
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I don't think you are that insane at all. It's always good to have a spare car, so you can have one on blocks. It's also nice to have a car that can be dedicated to a certain activity, such in your case, surfing and going to the beach. The best thing is that, the '87 300TD will have more power and more saftey features than your '84 300TD. So no, you are not insane at all.
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#5
10-08-2002, 03:26 PM
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The 87 300TD's are very rare, if you can find one in good shape for ~$6k i'd hop on it. I saw a creme colored one at my mechanics place with 390k. It had alot of rust but I bet it still ran fine.
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#6
10-08-2002, 03:30 PM
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I can't disagree more with the previous posters. "They don't build them like they used to" - thank God. I can live very nicely without any more semi-trailing arm rear suspensions or five cylinder engines, thank you very much. Having owned 123, 124, and 210 chassis cars, I can tell you the biggest risk. Once you acquire the 124, you'll want to sell the 123. The difference between these two cars in refinement, handling, driving pleasure, power, NVH, safety engineering etc. is just astounding. A 123 feels like a skateboard compared to a 124. My 124 is holding up substantially better than did my 123 at the same age. Paint and interior are holding up much better. Fewer mechanical repairs/rebuilds on the 124 thus far, as well.
My opinion - if you get a 124, the 123's gonna end up parked.
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#7
10-08-2002, 05:36 PM
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I own 4 in order to keep 3 on the road. However, all of mine are 123's and I think this experiment is paying off well. Just put insurance on the 240D and removed it after 2 days because my last project got done early on the wagon.
I would agree with a former post which said, "smart people's cars". The reason is because they are cheap to own and operate. Having said that, the previous post has peaked my curiosity. Can a 124 be that much better? Don
__________________
DAILY DRIVERS: '84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's) '99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's) '97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's) '97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's) '96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's '84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion) SOLD: '82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed 
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#8
10-08-2002, 06:05 PM
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Like Bill said - I had a very nice 1995 E320 and got rid of it to allow me to keep the W123's. Personally, I like the older cars. I guess it has alot to do with me doing all my own maintenance on my vehicles - I think the W123 is ALOT easier to work on than the E320 was - forget all about anything with a V8. The last V8 I owned was a 1972 Ford F100 back around 1974 or so. Everything else has been anything from a four cyl to a six cyl (the E320). Also, I think the W123 handles better than a W124 because on a road that I travel alot there is a pretty sharp curve with a bad bump about half way through it. The W123 feels alot more "glued" to the road when I hit that bump at 60 than the W124 did. I think the W123's have alot more "soul" than the later models too.
Another thought is I want to drive a car that I just carry liability insurance on and if I crash it I can use it for parts and go home and get another one pretty much just like it. I have become very disillusioned with the cost of cars ownership as I get older and feel that the W123's fit my needs precisely. Again, call me old fashioned but this is just my personal preference.
__________________
Jim
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#9
10-08-2002, 06:27 PM
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Jim:
I like your line of thinking. Well said. Don
__________________
DAILY DRIVERS: '84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's) '99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's) '97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's) '97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's) '96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's '84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion) SOLD: '82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed
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#10
10-09-2002, 03:06 AM
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terrible thing to say on diesel forum but a nice V8 gas model sure is nice for sunday drives......
William Rogers........ 74 240 D 81 Sd 86 Euro 500 Se with Euro 420 engine 81 2wd Blazer 454 "Sir Lancealot"
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