1987 300d prospect - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Thomaspin · #31 07-01-2003, 12:38 PM

I like to buy one or two owner cars which have been serviced at the factory dealer.

The so called 'Service Advisors' employed by these places are comissioned salesmen - the more they charge you the more they make - so they are economically motivated to sell things which may not be needed. I have seen any number of gratuitous replacements on cars I have bought - replaced brake calipers at 40k in lieu of new brake pads is one that always comes to mind on my 560SEL (it also helped that the seller's othewr car was a Rolls Royce....). I'm sure there are honest SAs out there, too.

This is all good for the second buyer.

While I would rather die than take any of my MBs to a factory dealer, I do love to buy from those who did. By contrast, many indys will take short cuts if they are ethically challenged (a non-OEM radiator on one of my former cars which blew comes to mind), though I suspect many here would consider the indy their first port of call, if they choose not to do the work themselves.

Best combination is buy cars which have been factory dealer serviced and then do all the work yourself, IMO.

As regards pricing, it may help to put it in perspective if you look at any premium you end up paying in the context of your anticipated ownership period. Given the longevity of the diesel engine (overheating issues with alloy heads apart) paying a modest premium for a 10 year anticipated ownership period may make sense, especially if service records and PPI check out, car is from a dry climate (coastal OR might not be a good thing), the car is low mileage and is hard to find (like this one). Viewed thus, a $2k premium may make sense if that's what it takes.

Of course, my ownership bias dictates that I point you in the direction of the magnificent pre-1986 300SD - a reliable engine, inexpensive to maintain, and distinguished in its style and substance. Not as fast or as economical on fuel as the W124, of course.

pdxman · #32 07-01-2003, 01:33 PM

Thanks Thomaspin. The current owner did have it serviced at the dealership first and then went to an independant when the dealer stopped supplying a loaner vehicle during the service. He does have all the records but due to time available when I looked at vehicle I did not review them. He did not appear to know many of the mechanical aspects which leads me to believe he just allowed them to service whatever was needed at the time. This is probably a good thing since you mention they may go overboard on these things.

The car was not wrecked but did experience an incident where a racoon lost its life when it tried to take on the radiator while the car was moving. Owner said the radiator lost all it's fluid and was towed in for repairs/replacement. Maybe this explains what is seen with the headlight area.

As you mention the 300SD, that is the type of vehicle I was originally looking for when I happened across this. Most vehicles of the mid-80's are on their 3rd or 4th owner already and record keeping tends to lax. Being that the original owner is representing the sale, I see it as an advantage to me for finding out its history and how it was driven. His advantage is that it may bring a more premium price...which leads me to my decision of whether I want to spend my money on this or not. I have been working hard to save money and build a comfortable savings account and trying to decide if it's worth it to me to deplete this for a car such as this or continue with the cars I have. My wifes car is an Acura Legend with almost 170K. Although it still looks nice and is mechanically sound, it's value is not so strong anymore and nearing it's bottom end. At it's current mileage, I am not sure what to expect mechanically/financially on this. My '79 240d is also probably at it's base low value but expect it to run much longer than it's current 230k. I can get by on this car as a commuter but hey, it would be nice to ride in something nicer.

The good thing or bad thing is that the 300D owner is not aggressively looking to sell. He is only running the classified ad for a week and I think I am the only one to look at it so far. The car will spend a couple days in the shop getting the A/C fixed and he will be out of town this weekend so I don't think he'll sell it.
This may also drive the price down. Also disappointing is looking the value up on Kelly Blue Book where I think he would be insulted if I used that as a comparison (I believe the value fell under $5k).

Thomaspin · #33 07-01-2003, 02:44 PM

Pdxman - check my posting 'The best car in the world - $5,000' on this site for some indication of the 'catch-up' work I had to do one my 300SD after it was out of my hands a while.

I wouldn't be that worried about PO records if the PPI comes out well AND if the paint and upholstery are in good shape. Also, make sure the tranny is smooth as a rebuild can run you $1,500 and is not generally considered a DIY project. Even light body damage, if professionally repaired, would not put me off. Good tires and unscuffed wheels are also a consideration - my 560SEL came with a great history but the neglected wheels had to be replaced at a cost of $600.

Good 5 cylinder 300SDs are out there with <200k. If you are prepared to travel, a warm climate car (with the same warnings about paint and interior - AZ heat isn't all good) can be a very solid long term driver. Occasionally you can find the case where a long term PO has given up driving or, sadly, passed away, and end up with the car you want. The snag is that you will likely have to do much more to get it perfect than on the 300D we are discussing here.

It's not just purchase cost - it's total cost to excellence that is the key. Finally, as you appear to have time on your side, that greatly enhances your chances of success in your search.

gsxr · #34 07-01-2003, 04:17 PM

Speaking of overpriced, here's another one... although it does have the late-model body facelift, a rebuilt engine, and new head:

http://makeashorterlink.com/?Y37C36D15

(Arctic White with Gray Tex)

pdxman · #35 07-06-2003, 04:00 PM

Well, after giving it a week to decide on whether or not to buy this car. I have decided to not buy it. In all appearances and probability I am sure it is an excellent car based upon the opinions given to me on this forum.

Reasons? Several...

#1 Money. It's priced on the high end and I noticed that the
owner increased the price in his classified ad after he had the
A/C replaced. New price is $9900.

#2 Money. This car would have been a replacement for my wifes
Acura Legend which I would have sold later. Even though
this car is currently in pretty decent shape mechanically and
appearance. It's high mileage has made it pretty worthless
on the market. She still likes the car so will drive it until it
wears away.

#3 Money. I could have bought this car with cash and used it to
replace my 240D. But since my car is so dependable and still
has a lot of mileage left in her, I think I'd rather save my $ for
other investments.

Thanks all!

gsxr · #36 07-06-2003, 09:40 PM

pdxman, can you email me the seller's contact info? My email address is: rc51@cableone.net

Thanks!!

jfikentscher · #37 07-06-2003, 10:23 PM

Talk about overpriced, I saw a 1984 300CD with 151000 on the clock at the Freehold Mall parking lot and the asking price was $10,000. It wasn't THAT nice!

pdxman · #38 07-12-2003, 01:03 AM

...Did you ever contact the seller on this car?

Wondering if the seller may start to soften a bit

#39 07-12-2003, 08:13 AM

Try a search of eBay Mercedes 1987 year models, if you want to see some scary cars. The 1987 300D in Florida with AMG in the subject line...well, I'm not sure if it left me more speechless or more scared! It did have AMG wheels, but a yellow valve cover, and yellow IP....EGads, whats the world coming to!

Hang in there GSXR, though I don't envy you in your quest.

pdxman, sounds like you made a sound decision, and there is a lot to be said for two cars that are a "known quanity." Though I suspect it's time to change out that 240 for a 190 2.2 5spd, hmmm, who do I know that has one of those for sale?? Just kidding.

Cheers, Mack

gsxr · #40 07-14-2003, 12:48 AM

pdxman, nope, I was out of town and just got back. I'm trying to chase down a "known quantity" car that belongs to a friend in CA who works at the dealer. We might be working out a deal - not sure yet, busy playing phone tag at present. If that falls through I might be making a trip to check out this one, if it passes my telephone screening...

pdxman · #41 07-14-2003, 11:13 PM

Trying not to be nieve here, but what are you guys referring to by a "known quantity" car?

After my post on passing on the car ( I did once again) call the guy back the day after the ad expired to see if it was sold or what offers he'd entertain. Wasn't friendly either. He bounced it back to me on what price I was thinking. With first explaining that I didn't want to insult him...I gave him a $7500-8000 range and we could talk. He said no way and hung up!

Guess he's pretty proud of it. By the way, it was back in the shop for what he said was to have more refridgerant added to it as the new A/C wasn't working right.

You can still contact him GSXR, I'm %100 done with him and you now know what he won't take.

gsxr · #42 07-15-2003, 12:18 AM

I think what we mean by a "known quantity" car is one with full records & history, or at least some good solid information to back up what you see. The car in CA belongs to a friend who works at the dealer. I think he's the second owner, since something like 1994 or so. I know exactly what he has done to the car and what it may need. It has had almost everything replaced that needed replacing. There should be very few surprises involved. The opposite scenario is buying a car from a used car lot, no history, no records, unknown number of owners, etc... You have NO idea what you're getting! Those can be scary - and sometimes not even cheap!

The guy in OR is too high at high 9's, unless the car truly is a cream puff inside and out, AND mechanically near perfect (which it sounds like the A/C ain't.) Otherwise, yes, I think your $7.5-8.0k range is more reasonable.

Holson Adi · #43 07-15-2003, 12:21 AM

$9k could put you in the newer 124 cars.

The 93 300D comes to mind. It has the newer (94/95) interior too and it's got R134A A/C.

you could even get a gas E320... though i like the diesels more...still wish I had got the E300 Diesel sometimes... dont ask why...

check out this black 93 250D Turbo

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2423333610&category=6330

was thinking about it for a bit but I don't think I wanna get rid of either the E420 or the 300CD for now.
Its Carfax came out clean!

this silver 300D 3.0 is a pretty car too..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2423440243&category=6330

oh... one last thing.. and the thing I was gonna write about first. I don't like the brown color. It's a shame that whenever they sell those mint old MB's they are always in the 'old' color.

A black 95 E300 Diesel. I guess the engine's more complicated but it is the last year W124 sedan. It's got a lot of miles but sure looks good in pics.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2423466734&category=6335

speedy300Dturbo · #44 07-15-2003, 03:00 AM

The power of a properly running turbocharged 603 easily blows away the 300D 2.5 Turbo and the 1995 E300D, which are both about as fast as a W123 turbodiesel!

pdxman · #45 07-15-2003, 09:09 AM

Thanks guys. I was thinking that your referrence to' limited quantity' was the year/make of the vehicle (rare). The silver 300D listed on ebay above lists it as 'RARE'?

In my search for my next car, I think I may pare it down to the '87 model 124 or a really nice 123.

Color? Brown doesn't turn me off that much. My current 240D is the maroon color (burgandy) and all my other vehicles are red/maroon also. Not really by choice...just what was available at the time. It would be nice to have something a different shade for once. Personally for me...I don't really care for a lot of the early 80's MB colors.