need advice on this car - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ned2683 · #1 01-22-2003, 12:24 AM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2400847199&category=6330

does this look like a decent car from the description? i am looking to buy a w126, i don't really care about the interior and accessories since i can work on that. i am really looking for a decent drivetrain. do i need to worry about anything with 360k miles on this car? please give me any advices on problems to look for on high milage cars like this one. thanks for any advices

#2 01-22-2003, 12:53 AM

First thing I would do is have the engine checked out, see if it has good compression. If the transmission is going out, that will be several hundered to fix. As for the accesories and interior, that might cost some money, if all were to be brought back into shape.

300SDog · #3 01-22-2003, 06:15 AM

Hmmm....... owner says he is selling it because he has purchased another?

This sounds kinda fishy to me.... especially as he lists both recent transmission service and slipping between gears.

ned2683 · #4 01-22-2003, 08:49 AM

yeah, i thought about it and it is probably not worth the risk. it is tempting tho. might be a steal. anyways thanks for the advices

sixto · #5 01-22-2003, 11:50 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ned2683
i don't really care about the interior and accessories since i can work on that.

You obviously haven't had the pleasure of diagnosing ACC problems on such a car

I've yet to see an AC system that "only needs a recharge" actually only need a recharge.

IMHO, look for a nice car with a bad engine or transmission. Mechanical work on these cars is a real pleasure.

That's blue?

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

ned2683 · #6 01-24-2003, 10:49 AM

found another nice looking one about 5 hours away from me:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2400734008&category=6330

looks to be pretty decent. the owner is very hard to keep in contact. i e-mailed him 6 times and got 1 reply (half assed reply). this looks to be a much better car. his last list on this auction was 2 grand with now buyers. so i think i might be able to get it for under that. it is kinda fustrating not getting replies from the seller since i am very interested and have to cash to buy it now. now the problem is if it reaches his reserve i am consider bidding on it. does anyone have any experience buying these cars on ebay? and am i able to not buy it if i get there and the car is not what he described it to be? this is my first real "nice" car i am consider buying, and it will be an investment i am hoping will last me 10 more years

any advices appreciated.

300SDog · #7 01-24-2003, 05:46 PM

Bought a 240D on e-bay.....

It was sight unseen $1500 car - ending up getting burned! Car has a laundry list of small (but expensive) repair items that owner didnt tell me about.... and i didnt discover these problems until a few days later!!

Next car I bought was from regular listings... a bargain car that cost me $500 after inspecting the vehicle and finding it had very low mileage, zero problems........ and rust bucket body that was shot to hell.

Now the 2nd car (originally bought just for parts) is my daily driver.... superior with working heater and less miles on engine than the e-bay car that I might keep just for its rust free body.

Bottom line...... you've got to inspect whatever you buy - and there are plenty of mercs available in the $500 to $1500 price range.

zbenz · #8 01-24-2003, 08:58 PM

Got my 87 from an ebay dealer. Haven't had it long but looks like a few covered up problems (even after I had my brother look at it). I think most older mercedes on the market usually need atleast a little TLC. Just hope mine doesn't need a lot. Off the topic where's the best place to get a radiator?

sixto · #9 01-24-2003, 09:31 PM

300SDL and overheating is not a good combination. The original cylinder head rarely survives a temp gauge needle trip to the red zone.

Take care of that radiator before it leads to overheating.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

#10 01-24-2003, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by zbenz
I think most older mercedes on the market usually need atleast a little TLC.

I would have to agree with you on that. The previous owner of my car was very honest with me on the problems, but a few others he probally wasn't aware of came up. From now on I figure I will probally have to spend up to $1,000 in any older Mercedes.

lrg · #11 01-25-2003, 01:42 AM

I bought a car on Ebay and it was a good experience. BUT, the seller spent all the time I needed on the phone, found answers to my questions if he didn't know, allowed me to have someone check out the car. If the seller isn't making it easy and volunteering info then I'd not play the game on Ebay. It's far too easy to get burned by a bad seller. Look for another car.