Advice on value of a 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Peabo48 · #1 10-18-2003, 11:18 PM

I am considering purchasing a 1985 300D and am trying to get an idea of a fair market value for the car. Here are some facts:

Shifting is very smooth. Steering has no wobbles, no pull in either direction. Braking is good, with no pull in either direction.

Engine is clean, good power. 177,000 miles.

AC, power windows, locks, sunroof-- everything seems to work well.

Exterior paint (burgundy) in good condition. One very small rust spot on right rear wheel well. A few nicks here and there.

Beige interior is in good shape. Some deterioration to elbow rest between front seats, to visors, but otherwise interior is clean.

I plan to have the car looked over by a mechanic. Barring him finding anything significant wrong with the car, can anyone give me an idea of what is an appropriate value?

Thanks,

Peabo48

#2 10-18-2003, 11:37 PM

I bought my '84 300D Turbo for $1400. Seller wanted $3500. It had 230K miles, some rust over the rear driver side fender, interior fine, everything worked, windows, sunroof, etc. I got it for a bit below "bluebook" due to the rust. I wouldn't pay much more for another one, unless it was pristine. I would figure what your willing to pay for it around 1500 - 2K and offer a little less. I'm not an expert on MB so take it with a grain of salt.

Palangi · #3 10-18-2003, 11:37 PM

A clapped out 300D would go for about $1000. An exceptional one about $3500. This one sounds to me like about $2500. It is not really a sellers market as there are not tht many of us diesel hobbiest/enthusiasts left. The rust seems inevitable up north, but would seriously drop the price in this part of the country. There are mixed feelings about 85's as they have a few parts incompatabilities with other years. 85 California is especially wierd from that standpoint.

TX76513 · #4 10-19-2003, 12:10 AM

Myself I would be at $1500 -you are going to have some dollars to fix the girl up. Questions would be - is this a daily driver or a hobby car?

Ken300D · #5 10-19-2003, 10:45 AM

Having the A/C work is a nice plus. I think you'd be in the $2500 area if my imagination is filling in the blanks properly on the vehicle's condition.

And it depends a lot on what part of the country you are located in as far as the market pricing. From what I can see on EBay there was something of a peak in pricing some time ago, and MB diesel prices on the W123/W126 models has gotten more reasonable again.

The dead of winter is one of the best times to buy a diesel. Plenty of people never do maintenance on the manual valve adjustment and don't know to replace bad glow plugs, etc. So you get frustrated people with diesels that can't start in cold weather...

Ken300D