300TD on Ebay - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jerryyoung · #1 06-11-2003, 10:13 AM

300TD on Ebay, #2419026839 - would one of you more experienced members take a look at the car on line and give me your opinion? It has no third seat, is this a minus and does a third seat make the car more useful or without the saet, can you haul more "stuff"? Also, they have a $129.00 "document fee" attached to the final price.

Words of wisdom?

Thanks

#2 06-11-2003, 10:26 AM

Looks like a pretty nice clean car. The last picture troubles me a bit though. It looks like the back end of the car is sagging pretty bad. Also, it's a repaint which, in and of itself isn't a bad thing. However, you don't know the quality of the paint and the attention to detail of the painter. It may be a 'cheapo' paint job or it could be a good one.

TX76513 · #3 06-11-2003, 10:37 AM

You see more and more of these "fees" from $75 - 300, and as someone wrote last week - pizza for the mechanics. You need to add that in to you total obligation. If it were me I would pay a forum member in that area to take a look at the wagon, ask the seller for some "under the hood shot's". Ask about the transmission, what maintenance is known on the vehicle. If you cannot find anybody to look - I have a friend in Monroe, NC who we may be able to look for you.

300TD · #4 06-11-2003, 11:24 AM

Also ask for photos under the floor mats, front and rear. Any rust or repair work is an indication of interior leaks (ie. drains, winshield, etc.).

jerryyoung · #5 06-11-2003, 02:08 PM

Thanks for the info, guys. Called the seller, he states the car has NO rust, is a very strong runner. Has no hesitation on initial acceleration (didn't know they did), according to seller some of the cars before 85 did this, said torque converter change in 85 cured this. He says he buys, fixes up and resells Mercedes. Offered to pick up winner in Winston-Salem (as long as they would drive him back to Charlotte). Found out reserve, seems a bit high but I may make a bid I can live with if he decides to sell below reserve. Also said suspension was good on car, was just angle of picture. What do you think?

#6 06-11-2003, 09:22 PM

I've seen higher mileage td's go for the buy it now
price or more. I was the high bidder for several
days on a 85' td with 244k and it ended up going
for $4,500 or something. Mabee if it was blue rather
than brown and original paint it would have sold
already. There are too many unknowns about
buying a car unseen in person. If the car cannot
be seen before auction ends assume it has flaws
and bid accordingly. I also think the rear is sagging too
much, but from what I've read the td's have a hydraulic
pump and a leveling/load adjustment system on
the back. Is it possible that the sagging rear can
be corrected by a flick of a switch if everything works
as it is supposed to or is it a self leveling system which
obviously is not working? I know my rear sags a bit, but
on a 82' SD it can only be fixed with new springs.

jerryyoung · #7 06-12-2003, 09:58 AM

Mark,
Thanks for the reply, am still looking.
Thanks

jerryyoung · #8 06-20-2003, 10:05 AM

TX76513,
Please contact me off line at Jerry.Young@dfjclr.falconjet.com between 7AM and 4PM CDT or at jyoung@aristotle.net after 4PM and weekends. I am interested in getting your friend in Monroe, SC to look at the brown 300TDT in Charlotte for me. I have talked to the seller some more and he has made some concessions that have rekindled my interest.

Also, if any of the other forum members know of a TD available, please advise.
Thanks
Jerry