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  #1  
Old 07-30-2003, 10:21 AM
mangrum's Avatar
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Location: Ann Arbor, MI
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Purchase 83 300D?

I'm going to look at the following car: http://classifieds.autos.yahoo.com/class/detail.html?cid=automobiles-1056674926-2510323

It has a 123 Chassis. A/C is 'broken'. It has a salvage title and was in an accident causing front corner panel damage. Car was put together using two cars, hence the salvage title. Owner is third one. Purchased at auction by second owner.

I'm looking for a winter car for when my 75 and my son's 74 Porsche 914's sit in the garage while I fix the many minor problems that creep up on 29 and 30 yo car.

Am I asking for more trouble than it's worth?

Thanks.

Mike Mangrum

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  #2  
Old 07-30-2003, 11:01 AM
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Posts: 592
$4k is high. mileage, if correct, is a big plus. but no air and the history elements leave me to believe the price is high by a factor of perhaps 2.
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  #3  
Old 07-30-2003, 11:05 AM
GoWolfpack
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Janko

Janko--are you in Raleigh? I bought a MB from a guy in Raleigh with that nickname..
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  #4  
Old 07-30-2003, 11:09 AM
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no sir. not in raleigh. i be up the road a piece in fredericksburg.
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  #5  
Old 07-30-2003, 11:19 AM
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Posts: 460
The odometer doesn't mean much. They are extremely easy to remove from the dashboard, and since he is telling you it was put together from three different cars, you can assume he also used the gauge panel from the car that read the lowest miles. You need to do a thorough mechanical inspection if you plan on buying this car.

GregS
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  #6  
Old 07-30-2003, 02:18 PM
Registered Diesel Burner
 
Join Date: Aug 2001
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 2,911
Get the VIN number and run a CarFax ASAP. You have until July 31st to get a free report at:

http://beta.kpix.com/xtra/focus/shopping/used_cars.html

You need to verify that it was a FLA car and where, and how long its been in the rust belt. If it was close to the ocean in FLA, it will have underbody rust from sea fog. If it has been in the rust belt and driven during winter, it will have underbody rust from road salt.

You probably don't want to buy a salvage title car without seeing and inspecting it first.

Ken300D
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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles
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  #7  
Old 07-30-2003, 03:56 PM
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Thanks much for the replies. It's great to have forums like this with guys (and gals?) willing to share their knowledge and help guys like me just trying to not get ripped off.

I've met a bunch of really good people that have helped me a great deal with my 914's.

Here are a couple more I'm going to look at:

300 E '86 Very good in & out. Excellent maintenance. A/C. Sunroof, loaded. $3600neg. 170K mi.

260E '88 - 170k, smoke silver, valve stems sealed, trans rebuilt, interior great, burns zero oil. $4500 obo.

Not a lot of info, but any advise as to what to look for is appreciated.

Thanks.

Mike
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  #8  
Old 07-30-2003, 07:50 PM
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Happy now in paradise!
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Venice, FL - "sharktooth capital of the world"
Posts: 712
Since I'm selling that car I can tell you this:

The car has NO underbody rust. The odometer is the original. Everything on the car is original except for the drivers front fender. The only rust on the vehicle is the passenger side front jackhole. The radio antenna doesn't go up. Interior is in fantastic shape. The engine doesn't leak or burn oil. No blowby as evidenced by ZERO oil around breather hose even after 3,000 miles.

$4k might be high in most of your eyes, but that is what I am asking for. Like the old saying goes "if you don't want to buy it, don't buy it!". I'm not twisting anybody's arm.
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Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)
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  #9  
Old 07-30-2003, 09:10 PM
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It has a salvage title or rebuilt title? Salvage title is a parts car, rebuilt title is a car that was damaged and has been deemed by an state official to be safe to put back on the roads. Rebuilt titles are theoritically worth 10-20% less than the normal going value of a similar car. It looks very nice in the pictures but any car with such a title should be inspected first hand before getting to involved.

I'd be wanting to see if that 300E has ever had the tranny rebuilt. I'm not real keen on those gassers either, while it still has more life left I don't think they are anywhere near as good as the diesels are. Typically quite a difference can be seen in the price between the gas and diesel versions with gas being much cheaper.
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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k
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  #10  
Old 07-30-2003, 09:34 PM
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The car is available for inspection or to have a ppi done (at buyers expense of course).
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Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)
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  #11  
Old 07-30-2003, 10:00 PM
fz500sel's Avatar
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Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Venice, FL - "sharktooth capital of the world"
Posts: 712
You think $4k is high?! Look at this!


http://listings.ebaymotors.com/pool1/plistings/list/all/category6311/page5.html?from=R11
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Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)
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  #12  
Old 07-30-2003, 10:23 PM
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JEEZE! That is insane!!! (I believe you posted the wrong link )
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2425668731&category=6330

Anyone want to buy my 83 300D for $11k? I seriously will have it up for sale soon though. Like new interior other than a tear in the driver's seat bottom. Chrome is almost like new, motor doesn't burn or leak, 184.5k miles on it, a little rust is starting in front of the two front wheels otherwise it is rust free. I'm going to repaint the rims tomorrow with a high quality paint (not just a spray bomb). I was thinking around $3k, but we'll see. It'll probably go on ebay with a reserve of $2500, I know not what it is really worth but it should be more than $2500. Oh and just as a good laugh, antenna doesn't go all the way down, and A/C works.

Mangrum, in all honesty if I could of done it over again I probably would of went straight to the car I've always wanted. A dark blue 87 300D, with mid 1XXks on it and a fresh tranny rebuild. The way I see it, do it once, do it right. Why fix up something that you aren't 100% satisfied with?
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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k
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  #13  
Old 07-30-2003, 10:41 PM
fz500sel's Avatar
Happy now in paradise!
 
Join Date: Nov 1999
Location: Venice, FL - "sharktooth capital of the world"
Posts: 712
Yep, boostnbenz, you're right. I thought I copied and pasted the right link. Sorry about that. After seeing that, I don't feel so bad about $4k for my 83 with only 118K on it.
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Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)
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  #14  
Old 07-30-2003, 11:08 PM
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I would say $4k for a car in that shape is quite reasonable, but it is debateable about $4k with a rebuilt title. I heard when going from one state to another that sometimes the rebuilt is dropped and it goes back to clear though. FYI- my 83 was purchased two years ago with 165k miles on it, for $5600.
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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k
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  #15  
Old 07-30-2003, 11:34 PM
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Dieseldiehard
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bay Area No Calif.
Posts: 4,368
My advise is buy a rebuilt or MAYBE even a salvage title vehicle if the car is in good shape, that includes the fact it must have no abnormal rust (ie. SOME rust is likely) and must drive straight and have a clean, nice interior - BUT ONLY IF YOU PLAN TO KEEP THE VEHICLE A LONG TIME.
Reselling that type of vehicle can bring dissapointment. Unless you find someone like yourself (willing to pay market value for a car that had some problems at some time in its previous life!)
I speak from experience on this, I owned a W115 once from that category, it had been hit on one door which I replaced, the insurance co, wrote it off and sold it to the owner's son for scrap value. I had a ***** of a time selling it, so I finally parted it out. All my cars are now free of this encumberance.
BTW, in 1991 I paid $5100 without hesitation for my wife's '83 300D in excellent shape, it was a one owner car, always garaged and 160K miles on it. We appreciate it even more as time goes by. There are fewer and fewer clean original W123's on the road as time goes by. These are great commuter cars yet comfortable and have lots of style for a 20+ year old car.
I like the name "road warriors" that someone gave them.
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 104041 (or is it 204041?)
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 288975
1983 300D 237300
1985 300TD 205437

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