Purchase advice - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Jason Beal · #1 01-26-2003, 01:50 AM

I found a 300 td with 206k miles. The tranmission shifts very smooth, engine runs great, ac works, cruise works, turns signals not working, suspension seems solid, tires nice, no rips or tears in leather, no rust, cracked dash is covered, sunroof and all windows work, turbo kicks in and runs great.

The car has a salvage title however. The owner said that his friend owned it for 3 years then it was hit on the drivers side fender. He fought with the insurance company but they still salvaged it. Then his friend sold it to him. I did a carfax on it and the dates vs title change/owner change goes exactly with his story.

The asking price is 1100 bucks. It's a gorgeous car it really is. I know with that title I could never sell it again and get much. Although I don't know if I would want to sell it if I got it. What would you do?

All it needs other than the turn signals fixed is brake pads. That's it. Other than that the car is pretty darn good. Paint is (probably new) great too. How much should I worry about the salvage title? I was going to buy it until I found that out, then I told the guy I couldnt' do it. Now I'm reconsidering it. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I can walk away from it if I thought it would be a bad idea and get something later. But it seems like such a nice car for the amount he's asking. He also is throwing in four rims and tires as well.

Thanks.

JimSmith · #2 01-26-2003, 02:19 AM

Jason Beal,

I can sympathize with the owner who had the insurance company declare the car a total loss, thus inflicting the salvage title. I have had to engage in such arguments in the past - for them it is just business and nothing more enters the picture.

But, if you like the car, buy it. If it runs well for a few years you are ahead of the game anyway. Just be sure there will not be any registration or insurance problems due to the title. Good luck, Jim

#3 01-26-2003, 01:13 PM

Make sure she drives smooth--could be suspension/alignment problems after such a wreck. It ride is satisfactory to you, go for it. Maybe you could knock the price down a bit more.

#4 01-26-2003, 02:48 PM

Like the last post, just check out the allignment etc. and go for it. I did this on an 82 300SD with a hit on the right front and I knew the guy that fixed it and bought it from him. They're built like a tank and after I put 80K more on the car w/o any problems, I still had no trouble selling it.

kerry · #5 01-26-2003, 11:09 PM

The salvage title would not bother me as long as the car drove and ran well. If it is really a TD and not a DT then it is really a good deal since finding wagons at that price is difficult since they are rarer.

Jason Beal · #6 01-27-2003, 05:45 PM

Well I came across what I found is an even better deal so I am going with that instead.

I found a 1981 240d stick who had owned the thing since 1985. His father owned it and gave it to him, he got back from his mission (LDS mission) and got married and has a kid. He doesn't have the money to dump into the thing, and his wife does not like it. She wants a new car.

Everything works on it, the windows are manual, it is cream color, drives straight, interior has no rips or tears, dash has the usual cracks, tires are about 70% tread, glass is good/no cracks, has new battery, starter and exhaust sytstem.

It needs a mounting bolt for the power steering, it . There is maybe a three inch area of rust on the passenger side door panel (lower) that needs attention. Looks like it needs all fluids/filters changed. Needs new valve cover gasket too I think. Odomoter broke about three years ago, so it's stuck at 156k miles. And it doesn't turn off when you take the key out. Other than those problems it's a terrific runner. The guy gave it up for 500 bucks!!!!!!! So I'm totally excited to be a diesel owner finally!!!!!

Thanks everybody for your advice on the other car and I look forward to searching through these forums to find answers on my new 240d!