Ask the pros...

[Blu 420Sel]

What do you think about this one?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6330&item=2411569832&rd=1

We're starting the hunt for a w123 or a w116 diesel, trying to spend under $3500 but willing to spend more I suppose. I would appreciate any thoughts on the model or leads folks might have.

Thanks!!

[The Warden]

Looks like a nice car. However, you said you're looking specificaly for a 116, right? 'cause that's a 123 300D.

I would call the Buy-It-Now price a bit steep, given that the driver's window and the sunroof don't work, but that's just me.

FWIW, from what I've heard, the biggest real problem wiht the 116's is rust...aparently, M-B didn'tdo as good a job of rustproofing on the 116 chassis as they did on others...

Hope that helps a bit...good luck!

[Blu 420Sel]

Whoops, meant to say W123 or W116. Also, is a non-turbo going to be fast enough to run comfortably in modern traffic, or should we be looking at TD's only? And what kind of price difference is normal for a 300D vs. 300 TD. Sorry for all the questions.

thanks!

[Palangi]

Nice looking car. The one reason I would probably pass on this one is, as a 78, it would have the servo type of climate control. It will eventually break, and possibly take other parts with it. Replacement servos are getting scarce and can be expensive. I would hold out for a turbo model with the more conventional climate control.

[Blu 420Sel]

Yeah, I think I'll do the smart thing and hold out for something with a stack of maintainence records too. Sigh... I get so excited by these old cars..

You really don't want this car for the money. It's a nice car the 78 300, however, there's no turbo, nor (more) modern climate control. The power with an automatic is not for the modern driver (or first time Mercedes buyer) I feel you would have a better time with a turbocharged car.... Better flexibility.

Look into later W123s, 116s (if you can find them in good shape) or possibly a 126. Any of these cars can be had for the Sub $5k in really nice working order.

Remember, there are no cheap cars. It's hard to get away with anything with these cars, the more you put into them, the better they are.

And please, have a mechanic look at the car before you buy. If you don't know what to look for besides the obvious (leaks, rust and wear) you're in for a money pit. Good luck.

[Blu 420Sel]

I'm pretty comfortable with gas engine repairs but I'm new to diesel territory. Don't worry though, I made the mistake of buying a Saab once without a Saab Mechanic's inspection and got completely burned (in my defense I had taken it to a local mechanic but he just didn't know what to look for). Its a mistake I'll never make again.

This is the model and color I'd really like to buy. I found it on this board but I can't remember where in order to pay proper respects to the owner. Its a beauty though...

Everyone would like a 116 like the one above. They are few and far between. Last year I cam across a 100k 1979 300SD. SUPER CLEAN car, I swear it was a time capsule, but rust one the four fenders prevented it from being the best in the world. It's too bad and too common with the 116. The car went for around 3 grand.....

[Rick Miley]

That's Terry Clanton's car, which was for sale at one time. I think he has since decided to keep it. You can see the thread here:
TClanton's 300SD

I would venture to say that a W116 in the price range you specified would be in too bad a shape to be practical. W123 with a turbo would be better. BTW, to avoid confusion, the T in 300TD specifies a wagon body, not a turbo. To say turbo, you have to say 300D Turbo.

Best of luck with your search. This is the fun part.

[Blu 420Sel]

I suppose that would explain my lack of luck on ebay... I was wondering if there was some massive oversupply of wagons out there. I've read Frank Barrett's book backwards and forwards but the diesel section is so skimpy and not terribly clear if you don't already know the production line well. What kind of price range would a car like that one be in? $5000, $7000? Not that I have it, just curious.

[Blu 420Sel]

Rick,

Thanks for the link, very interesting to read. I'm glad to hear he didn't sell it, a car like that deserves to stay in the family forever.

I suppose I'll try and hold out for awhile, see what's out there. Maybe I'll get lucky and catch one like you saw on the way by. I learned my lesson with the Saab I mentioned earlier, impulse buying a car is about the worst mistake you can make outside of the real estate market!

[Rick Miley]

I just noticed that your location is Connecticut. Please note that the W116 is very rust prone. That's why you don't see them up there anymore. Even if you found a good one, it would not last in your winters.

[Blu 420Sel]

Don't worry I've already got it threw my head that we should get a 123. For what its worth though, I'm most likely heading to CA in another year. I bought my 420sel in Arizona and had it shipped up, probably one of the smartest things I've ever done.

Its impossible to find ANY car without rust here and if you do the price is doubled. I think the high humidity does a nasty number on the engines too. Connecticut is a terrible place to live, don't ever move here. I only came here for graduate school and now I'm waiting around for my girlfriend to finish her degree.

Isn't there anything that can be done to protect these cars?

[Rick Miley]

I was there from 10/01 to 5/02, working on a contract for ESPN. And yes, I hated it there. The salt damage to my Jetta after just one (mild!) winter is amazing.

[Blu 420Sel]

I did my undergrad in Buffalo, man you want to talk about a real winter. All the same this last year was the worst I've ever seen in CT. Truely miserable. At least in Buffalo everyone knew how to drive in the muck and the streets were cleaned quickly! Here it seems like they have one plow in the whole tri-state area!!

This is a picture of my Saab ( the MB got the garage) At least I didn't worry about it getting stolen.