Should I sell the old trusted 84 300d for an 87 300d - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 08-08-2003, 02:07 AM

Hello all,

I have been having some I need to spend some money blues. Now here is my situation that I just want to run by all you folks. I have a 84 300d which runs near perfect. I am a maintenance maniac and have replace virtually all replacable parts on my 84 300d. It has 280k and feels like it will go another 280. It is a real tank. I bought it 3 years ago for 3500 and put about that into it in parts and labor. I did most of the work myself.

I know of someone who is selling a 87 300d with 100K on it for 4000 bucks (I live near Chicago). I drove it today and it drove real nice. Alot more refined than the w123 yet my w123 seemed to be faster and more stately.

Generally does it seem like a good idea to sell my car and buy the new (for me) 87 300d. My gut feeling says that it is not wise to give up something that is running fine and well know also that why bother with this 87300d as it is not that much nicer of a car than the 84 300d. I am thinking that I will save some money over the next couple of years and spend 8 to 12 grand on a gasser as diesels are getting rather pricey and I would like to have a car with a gas pedal.

How much is a 84 300d with all that work done to it worth?

I tell you that the I want a new car itch is hard to resist.

thanks

bob c

speedy300Dturbo · #2 08-08-2003, 02:12 AM

Uh-oh... that's not good if your W123 seemed faster than the 87. I thought my old 1982 300D was a fast example (and it was) but when I drove a 1987 300D for the first time, I was totally blown away. The throttle response on the highway was amazing in comparison. The W123 seems to run out of steam around 85-90mph but the W124 keeps on pulling!

rickjordan · #3 08-08-2003, 02:38 AM

If the '87 ran slower than your '84, then there is something wrong with the '87. When my wife first drove our '87 TD after drving the '83, the first 3 words she said were "oh my God!". As speedy said, these cars haul, especially on the highway. You just nudge the petal a little and within 2-3 seconds you're gone. Passing someone on the highway isn't even an issue. In my '83 if I want to pass someone, I have to do more anticipating(planning), not so with the '87.
With buying another car, you're sort of starting all over again, getting familar with the car, sorting it out, etc. Where as you already know your '84. Several people here said that once you drive a properly running W124 diesel, you never go back to a W123, and they are right. However, I do like the interior of the W123 better. I like the chrome trim which the W124 is completely devoid of, except for the door handles.

#4 08-08-2003, 02:40 AM

thanks for your reply

I thought that it was bad that it was slower but the young guy who just bought the car 2 months ago put 17 inch wheels on it with some wide tires. I think that slowed it down some. Also the car is alot smoother than the 84 so that could be it too.

bob c

speedy300Dturbo · #5 08-08-2003, 06:29 AM

Take the 87 300D for a spin on a winding road and try the same road in a W123! Amazing difference.

rickjordan · #6 08-08-2003, 08:47 AM

The present owner has only had it for 2 months and is already getting rid of it?

Rick Miley · #7 08-08-2003, 10:04 AM

Something is significantly wrong here. This guy is selling a 1987 300D with 100K miles for $4000 and he has only owned it a couple months. That car should be worth more like $6000 to $7000 in excellent condition. Either something is seriously wrong with the car, or the guy doesn't know what he has.

Even with the larger wheels and tires, it should be much faster than your W123. I see comments all the time on this board about how the 87 was the fastest Diesel MB ever built. Those people haven't driven a 98 or later, but that's a different story. The performance problem could be caused by number of things, and could be as simple as a clogged banjo fitting on the ALDA line.

So, this could be a disaster waiting to happen, or the deal of the year. You'll have to do some more investigating to find out which.

#8 08-08-2003, 10:51 AM

Thanks guys,

He is a young guy who wants to buy a firebird. The diesel just does not suit his style.

He even put 17 inch rims on it to spruce it up. But I dont really like the way they look. I can get the car and the old rim 15 inch rims for 4000. He said that the car is really 103000 and would have no problem letting me run a carfax report on it.

It does drive real nice. the interior is black leather, The engine did not leak oil. The young guy seems like an honest guy.

I saw his car and gave him my card and said if you are ever going to sell you car let me know. I could tell that he did not love it. Young guys really like cars with some more go.

I guess that diesel nuts are in the minority.

Should I jump on this car if it seems clean.

The diesel runs real quite and was a smooth runner. If the turbo was blown it would be alot slower I think.

Thanks for all of your advice and help.

If I choose not to buy it I am willing to help someone else buy it from the forum.

I actually talked the young man into keeping such a significant car. So I am not sure if he will sell it but the call of the chevy 350 looms large for him.

Thanks

bob c

Scott98 · #9 08-08-2003, 11:08 AM

I just wanted to second what other people have already said. The '87 should be SIGNIFICANTLY faster than your diesel. I own an '85 and have driven an '87 300D on numerous occasions. The difference in speed isn't even close. There has to be something wrong with this '87. I hope this helps.

Scott

Ken300D · #10 08-08-2003, 11:10 AM

The ride is so different between the two cars that you might not realize which one is faster without a stopwatch or someone with a second-hand to time a 0-60 run.

I believe I've heard 13 or 14 seconds is pretty good for a 1987 300D, 0-60.

Ken300D

PS. I'm laughing now because I almost hit the send button with a typo that said 0-160. ulp!

#11 08-08-2003, 11:25 AM

I must say the in no way was the 87 300d a dog. I think That if I could I would like to take back that statement. ALthough I will take it on the highway and test it out real good.

Thanks agian.

Also would anyone be interested in my old 84 She is a great running car.

Thanks to all.

PS my wife is out of town and I just spoke with her SHe says offer him 3300 I think that may be criminal.

Thanks bob

Rick Miley · #12 08-08-2003, 11:44 AM

Heck, for $4000, I might even want to grab that W124. That is IF the A/C works and still has R12.

Yes indeedy, $3300 would be criminal. That's thinking like a 240D owner.

Scott98 · #13 08-08-2003, 12:08 PM

Just another thought - they did have a recall on that car related to the turbo charger. You might want to see if it's been fixed.

Scott

#14 08-08-2003, 12:36 PM

...IMHO, maybe the last SINCERE automobile ever built. Will last forever, which the "newer" car won't. Styling also will never show age. If speed and cornering are your decisionmaking items, there are dozens of other cars that will outshine either MB. Think it's fun to learn to drive odd cars like diesels to the limits of their ability, which has a lot in common with the challenge of sailing vs motorboating.

#15 08-08-2003, 01:03 PM

That new car urge....who hasn't felt it....but I don't feel it any more- not since I started collecting TOY TRUCKS. Call me crazy, but there's something sweet about a truck with a history, that never breaks down, sits on a coffeetable for your appreciation- and actually does get more valuable with the passage of time. And I get to keep my partially-restored 123. She is, after all, a damn fine car.