Purchasing a 1979 300SD tomorrow-my first!
 

Well, I am taking the plunge. I have respected the old Merc diesels for many years. I finally found THE ONE!

Here is the link

http://home.comcast.net/~mr.diesel.info/mr.diesel.info.html

I am buying the Maple Yellow car.

If any of you have some insight, please let me know. I am planning to drive this daily, moving from a 2002 G500

OMG: $8,900?!!!!

And with unrepaired body damage? I hope you're not paying more than half that.

The car
 

I was planning to...

I have looked at a number of car b/w 3-5K and counld deal with the condition. This car, aside from the dent, is flawless.

The tranny is remanufacured (from Mercedes), the engine is completley done. New brakes. The gentleman selling the car seems to know a TON about diesels, a true dieselphile.

I am basically buying a car that needs nothing rather than a less expensive car that requires work.

Is 8900 way out of line?

AC

I would say that $8900 is definitely on the high side for a 1979 Mercedes, even an SD.

This car is 24 years old, and it is a sedan, and they are usually not classics.

In 1999 I bought a 300D with 111K miles for $10,000. Last march I bought a 1985 300 TD (Wagon) with 170K for $3,000. Neither has any body damage.

Perhaps you can pull that dent out with a suction device. Body work can be rather expensive, particularly repainting.


I personally would not pay that much for that old a car, because you could get one maybe 10 years newer for the same money. But I haven't seen it.

In any event, all the best luck.

That's pretty steep, I'd keep looking!

Assuming the car is actually in flawless condition, and that you are positively sure you want it, id say go for it. Ive owned 3 diesels so far, and considering the time and money ive put into them, id be 100% willing to just pay a higher up front price for the same car with all the work already done. Youre basically getting away with a clean low mileage diesel, and you wont have to take the time yourself to make repairs. And Im in totaly agreeance with you. Ive looked at countless diesels over the years with low asking prices, which typically have higher mileage and are always more tattered and worn in almost every way possible. $3200 for a car that needs $8K of work, or $8K for a clean well maintaned flawless LOW MILEAGE diesel.

Refreshing remarks...
 

Both side make sense...I am still with Nate on this one. To me, a sorted car is more valuable than a questionable car.

I will go for it..

Now, if anyone wants to give their thought on the daily usage of these cars, I would be willing to read. I have browsed the boards and for that reason, I am interested in buying as all of your comments are positive. But, I am about to get rid of a $60K luxury SUV and step into a 1979 diesel with 126K miles. The main reason for doing so it my respect for the machine. I bought the G500 because it is the most competent machine in its class. I have the same feeling about the old merc diesels....the best sedans in the world.


Any random comments are appreciated...not needed of course.

AC

As a daily driver car, id have to say it is very comforting to drive such a big car, it feels so substantial and safe, in a world full of tiny sub-compacts and giant suv's. Its a good medium. Great fuel mileage and economy, and larger size. It can get tiresome in small spaces like San Francisco, but on the highway its very relaxing, although a little loud from the engine. But there are ways of getting rid of little things like that. And it definitely turns heads driving a 20+ year old car in such rare condition.

I wish you the best of luck with your new car, and hope to hear how it works out for you.

I think the price is way out of line. I bought my 77 300d with 50k miles from the original owner for $4500. It was in mint condition, always garaged, two sets of tires. My 85td with 135k cost $3200. It only needed tires and a heater vacuum module.
I agree that paying extra for a car in good condition is worth it, but not that much.

I agree with Veloce300DT. Condition is everything. At the same time I don't think it's possible to buy a used car that doesn't need any work, and depending on your budget, you always have to reserve some space for repairs.

$8K for a flawless low mileage diesel may be high compared to one with 50K miles for $4500, but how often do you come across that? and really, when it comes down to it, $8K really isnt that much.

For that amount of money, make sure that the climate control servo and amp is new or recently replaced. The servo is expensive and, unfortunately considered a wear item. The only achilles heal of that car in my opinion, other than rust.

I always read about these kinds of deals, but have yet to see one or find one. I'm not saying they don't happen -- it's all about being in the right place at the right time. If I stumbled accross an 85TD with 135k for $3200 that only needed those things... with no rust, etc. -- I'd be all over it... (even as a second one). :)

In your case, the dent is the only thing that stinks...
If everything is as it seems, and you love the car -- life is short. That's all I can say. :)

Pete

Waaay out of line. You can get an excellent 87 SDL for that king of money. But, heck if you got it spend it. LOL

acastell-

Id have to say though, after looking at the link to the site of the maple yellow SD your'e looking at, that if I were you, id go for the Milan Brown SD. A much more unique color. I actually looked at a milan brown SD owned by a lady in my neighborhood, and love that color!