selling 300SD, wanted to thank all of you - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RG5384 · #1 06-14-2003, 08:05 PM

I'm both happy and sad to write this. Happy, because i will be getting a new and exciting toy(car), and sad, because of all the work, time and energy i put into my benz. After talking with the parents, we have come to a decision that it is wiser to sell the car, and move onto something else rather then continue to put money into it. My mom is the one who finally said "I don't want you putting any more money in that car". My car budget is around 5-6k, and we've got a long shopping list of possible cars. The 300E is one of them, but i'm a little scared of the repair costs and reliability at this point, and i doubt i could even find a good one for my price range. Thank you all very very much for all the time and thought you have put into helping me fix and keep my car running for the few years i have owned it, without this board i would have never been able to hang onto the car for as long as i have. The straw that broke the camel's back was the water pump and starter going, those two things, combined with everything else, and we figured the car would take a grand to get mechanically perfect once again. I'd love it if someone from this board would want to buy the car and fix it up, but if that doesn't happen it will probably just be traded in some where. I believe we are asking 1500 for the car, and for further details please look in the "cars for sale" forum. Thank you all once again, this is probably as close to a family that one can get through a computer.
Ryan

Rick Miley · #2 06-14-2003, 10:09 PM

Ryan, how long are you home? Going back to Jax tomorrow?

leathermang · #3 06-14-2003, 10:20 PM

After all that work you put into that dash ... you are going to sell it ? Ouch....

Rick Miley · #4 06-14-2003, 10:23 PM

For goodness sake, please don't get into a 300E. Didn't you see this? 123 = Economy, 124 = Expensive

Find a W123. I was in Seminole today. Would rather have helped you diagnose the starting and cooling problems than spend 45 minutes looking for Gus Singh's place. But he does have 3 W123s, so he might be able to help you out.

Edit: If you're interested in fixing the SD's starter, BESCO auto electric on Waters near I-275 does great work at reasonable prices.

RG5384 · #5 06-14-2003, 10:54 PM

yeah, the 300E is out. Right now i am looking at low mileage late model eclipse's(98,99), 94-95 integras, 94-95 240SX's, infinity J-30's, BMW 525i(scared of maintenance), 97 Jetta 5spd. I really want a "kid car", as i'm incredibly tired of driving the big boat. I have learned sooooo much working on this mercedes, that if i had to do it all over again i would not change anything. Leathermang:yeah, the dash was a huge PIA, but i got to look at a nice clean dash for over a year, and that itself was well worth the time and work spent. Hopefully i will sell the car to someone on this forum(is my asking price fair?) and they will have the benefit of my work on the car. I'll let you all know what i get, and i cannot thank you enough for all the time everyone has spent helping me. I'm sure i'll still lurke around and if i see a topic i can help on I certainly will. I dont know if i'll own another benz, but i sure hope to some day-but it will sure as hell be a NICE benz lol. Thanks again everyone, all the best,
Ryan

84300DT · #6 06-15-2003, 05:41 AM

ryan, sorry to see you are selling your benz, but i kind of don't blame you in a way.

as for vw's you can probably get a really nice 96 jetta 5spd for the money you are budgeting. we have one and it is all manual including windows.
haven't really done much to the car in 7 years aside from usual wear items. very reliable. it even has the original battery!
they do tend to eat tires though (fwd).

for the models after 96 just watch out for the window regulators if it has power windows.

good luck on your search.
bob in ct

P.E.Haiges · #7 06-15-2003, 11:22 AM

Ryan,

Let me understand your economics.

You extimate it will cost $1000 to put you MB in perfect mechanical condition.

Yet you are willing to sell your MB and spend $5000 on another used car of unknown quality or reliability which might cost more than $1000 to put in perfect mechanical condition.

Even if the car you are going to purchase is in perfect mechaical condition (doubtful), It still cost you $4000 more than keeping your MB.

Why do some people separate repair costs from purchase cost? Its the overall cost that counts, I.E. how many cents per mile.

P E H

dabenz · #8 06-15-2003, 12:05 PM

ditto P.E.H., but try to get a mother to buy into that argument!

william rogers · #9 06-15-2003, 01:45 PM

I think I got "de" answer buy a nice 190 E,my son has one, it is more sporty than SD (a lot) and if you look around you can find a nice one for well under 5K then have some bucks left over for new wheels tires and what ever. My son paid 2 K for his with 87 K on speedo.........I lived in FLA for years tis the land of nice MB's at good prices......
William Rogers.....

RG5384 · #10 06-15-2003, 02:45 PM

P.E.H., i understand what you are saying, but this is another 1000 three months after we put 700 into it, and just before that we put 300 in front end parts, before that 300 in an alternator etc etc etc. The car has many new parts on it, and should be a great fixer up car for someone, just not me. I want a car that goes 0-60 in under ten seconds, and somethign a little more sporty. The benz just isn't my style car. Called about a 525i today, 130k, five speed, new clutch, all maintenance records, supposadly in perfect condition for 5500. Now thats a car i would like, lol. Thanks again everyone,
Ryan

73MB280SEL · #11 06-15-2003, 03:58 PM

Howdy,

I sure understand what you are saying. The newest car I own is a '88 toyota corolla and none of my cars are 100% functional. Still, you go buy another European car with 130K on it, you are defeating the purpose of getting rid of the Benz. That includes Volkswagens: check the TDI forum for all the electrical probs they are having.

Cheap and reliable: get you a nice Japanese honda or toyota. 5K will get you alot of Corolla or Civic.

fun to drive: get you a Mitsubiti eclipse, or Mazda. Of course you could get a W201, but those are mighty old cars now and will need water pumps and starters and alternators, etc... It's not that they aren't made well, they are just darn old. Keep in mind that water pumps and starters are wear items on a car 10 years old or so. Add to that plastic tank radiators, hoses, misc fuel injection parts. If you get a Ford, the spring lock connectors in the A/C are going to fail in 6 - 7 years and that is REALLY expensive. On a GM (like my Z-28), heck, the car might just start shedding body parts as it rolls down the road.

Entropy is always on the increase, and GM cars increase it more than others.

I love my MB's and have the $$$/tools to repair them, but the most "get in and drive" realiable car I've owned is definately the Corolla.

Sholin

suginami · #12 06-15-2003, 04:50 PM

Ryan,

If your budget is $5k-$6k, and you're concerned about maintenance costs and reliability, then you should stay away from any Mercedes automobile. A 300E in that price range would be totally shot and worn out and a sure money pit. There might be 190E's in that price range, but they will be just as expensive to upkeep as your 300SD.

I think you are right on the money looking at Eclipses, 240 SX's, and Integras.

You are also in the range of a good Mazda Miata 94-95-ish, and they are really good and reliable cars. The Mazda Protege is also a nice car and sportier than a Corolla.

The Corolla might be your most "logical" choice, but I'm sure a college student wouldn't want to drive one.

P.E.Haiges · #13 06-15-2003, 06:24 PM

Ryan,

OK, if you want another car because you want a different type car, then sell the MB. But it would be more economical to keep the MB with all the sunk cost you have in it.

If you sell it, someone else is going to get the benefit out of the $2300 you already spent on it. That's why I keep my MB until they are candidates for the junk yard. Then I use them for parts for the others.

If you sell the MB for $1500, better keep that for repairs on whatever you get. Never put all you available cash into the selling price of a used car. Always keep at least $1000 aside for repairs.

#14 06-16-2003, 01:50 AM

Get a 1990-1994 Subaru Legacy, they are great cars, and for $5,000 you can get one in almost mint condition

... They also made a Turbo AWD model from 1991-1994, and they are really great cars too, and very fast. Oh, but I forgot, you don't have the snow to worry about, like I do living where I do

I am on the same boat as you are on car wise, my car keeps breaking, and it keeps costing money to repair

. I was thinking about selling my car, but I have decieded to keep it for now, and just drive it until something else breaks. I figure that by the time it breaks (probally sometime within the next year), I should have enough money saved up to buy a 1990-1994 Subaru Legacy, and I will just park the 300CD until I find the time and money to do the repairs...

william rogers · #15 06-16-2003, 02:13 AM

How about a nice 190E they are sporty not near as big as an SD handle very well especialy with good tires and seem more of a young persons car than the 126's though I would certainlywould feel comforable owning one.
My son bought an 85 with 87 K on speedo and near perfect body for 22 hundred, I am working on the vacum systen now. I lived in FLA for many years and it is indeed the land of the primo MB's..........then there's always the 2.6 190E yum yum......
William Rogers.........