Hi mileage 1993 300D - need opinions quick! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

spwilliams · #1 02-17-2004, 11:09 AM

I am looking at a 93 300D which is in really nice shape, along with some attractive aftermarket add-ons such as Euros, Konis, hi-output horns and nice sheeposkin seat covers. The trouble is the mileage, which is at about 290k - supposedly highway miles for the most part. Price is about 9k.

The guy who is selling it seems honorable and knowlegeable and is a reasonable mechanic, who really seems to take care of his vehicles, and he has 4 of these 300Ds.

Am I getting used here?

Thanks in advance!

RG5384 · #2 02-17-2004, 12:15 PM

is the tranny original?? If so i'd be a little concerned about that. Other than that get a compression test and see how the engine is doing, i'd rather buy a well maintained high mileage car than a drove into the ground low mileage car.
Ryan

Scott98 · #3 02-17-2004, 12:22 PM

That price sounds really high. I just sold my '97 E300D with 236k for 10,500. I also bought it for less than that several months ago. The car was in excellent condition.

Scott

Hatterasguy · #4 02-17-2004, 12:26 PM

Is that car in CT by any chance. If it is I know of the car.

TimFreeh · #5 02-17-2004, 01:09 PM

I agree with Scott - way too high for a car with 290K miles. The 2.5 turbo has a pretty good reputation but with 300K on the clock you can expect to have to spend some $$$ keeping the car going. There are plenty of lower mileage examples around - I'd keep looking.

spwilliams · #6 02-17-2004, 01:39 PM

I hear you that it sounds high, I guess my problem is that there really do not seem to be many of these cars around at all in the price range. 1 or 2 on ebay, nothing in my local swap sheet or paper. Lots of older (mid-80s) ones but the mid 90s seem in short supply.

If the compression was great does this change anybody's opinion? In other words, even if the engine is in wonderful shape after all these miles, what else would be worth checking out besides tranny, and I know he did the front suspension, any other trouble areas?

How much estimated to swap out an engine - On the Bluebook website it implied a -$1000 for the mileage adjustment. Could I replace the engine for about $1500-$2500 including the engine?

Hatterasguy · #7 02-18-2004, 09:30 AM

Lets see at 290K the suspension will be tired, the transmission I would worry about. You cannot replace a MB engine for $1k-2k. I'm sure another member can give you a better price but expect over $5k for the engine. However the engine would be the last thing to worry about. If compression is good like you say than it has a lot of life left. The rest of the car is what starts to get expensive to fix. You can also buy a mid 90's E320 with under 100k for $9k. Same car different engine. That car also has a rip in the driver's seat if I remember correctly, for that kind of money I expect perfection. These are rare cars and it takes some looking to find a nice one. Its not like buying an Accord where you can pick up the paper and find a dozen to look at over a weekend. I still think its a 5k-6k car.

ktlimq · #8 02-18-2004, 04:24 PM

Body Rust

Do not forget to see under and near rubbers. Door seals, trunk seals, sunroof seals.

Open protective cap from jack support. Rust at the hole is normal. Almost every old MB has rust there. But rust must not extend too far on the rocker panel.

Leaks.

Also check leak on struts.

Timing Chain.

spwilliams · #9 02-18-2004, 06:04 PM

I talked to Mr Wristly as recommended above, and shared with him all I knew about the car...he said based upon what I told him I was probably overpaying a little, but not getting used too badly. He said it sounded like the guy was just like him, which I believe too, this car is really well-taken care of - well beyond concientious maintenance. Hope he's right, Its worth it to me to get a nice car and I need to make a decision soon, so that I can get to work. Otherwise my wife wants me to get a Honda Accord. This is not happening.

I'll be the proud (lightened wallet) owner of this car and be back to join this forum for real - soon. Thanks to all for your help!

And maybe I'll post some pix so people can really hammer me for falling for this Benz...:-)

TimFreeh · #10 02-18-2004, 06:29 PM

If you really like the car go for it - the 2.5 turbo is a great car and you are only really overpaying a couple of thousand at most. The euro lights are a big plus and I think the fact that somebody went to the trouble and expense of installing these lights is a good sign. I would suspect the prior owner is a MB person.

You can expect 35-37 MPG on the highway and 31-33 around town. Once you get use to the mileage its hard to go back to a gasser - everytime I take my girlfriends 400E for an extended run I'm amazed at how FAST that gas guage drops....

Tim

spwilliams · #11 02-18-2004, 06:45 PM

I think my 'overpayment factor' is really $1000 at most, several things not described also come with car, most notable 4 Blizzacks and steel rims with hubcaps, the seatcovers are really nice and worth about $650 new and they are brand new, a brake upgrade, saw the Bluebook 'mileage adjustment' was -$1000 and a Wristly had a 2 year older car for $8500...hey thats why I works so I can spends...

As far as being an MB person, every car he owns is a 300D (4 - a 97, 95, this 93, and an 85?) He had a barrel of synthetic oil in his garage, a terrific shop in perfect order...believe me this guy maintains his vehicles. I was really impressed with his 69 Moody airplane - looked like it just rolled off of the assembly line. If he'll fly a 35 year old airplane that he maintains himself...

Thanks again all!

snoopy007 · #12 02-18-2004, 10:13 PM

I picked up a 92 one owner from tx with 77,000 on the clock for 8,900 last month. It had ~90% of the records, it was a clean car. I think the price is a little steep. I found a 92 in SC with 136,000 one owner. I could check if ti is still around they where asking 8,500. Do a autotrader search or cars.com it worked for me.. and don't rush into a buy. Good luck

ktlimq · #13 02-18-2004, 10:27 PM

One can by $2000 cheper car, but spend $4000 in the next few months.
One can by $2000 more expensive car, and enjoy trouble free driving.
One can by $2000 more expensive car, but still spend time and money for repair.
One can by $2000 cheper car, but still enjoy trouble free driver (ohh, this is too rare).

It is difficult. I wish you the best.

Below is some ebay price. I cannot guess much about the cars' quality from pictures and sellers' statements.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2459372785&indexURL=0#ebayphotohosting

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2458977549&category=6330

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2460470361&category=6330

If the previous owner and the seller is a mechanic, can he offer some warranty?

spwilliams · #14 02-19-2004, 11:30 AM

I wish I had the time to find a great deal...but as I said above, I have checked all over the internet (ebay, cars.com, carsdirect.com, every local dealer and numerous other sites) All were pretty far away (Dallas, CA etc) The closest competition I saw was a 95 300E with 49k for 12000 in a neighboring town. Want a diesel but would go for the right gasser. For asthetic reasons, I don't want an older one which I am sure would be just as practical.

I know I could probably pay less, but with extra time, travel, shipping, and risk, this car seems like the best deal...

Thanks again

slowmoe · #15 02-19-2004, 09:15 PM

My 92 was a fantastic car. In my opinion, it was a better blend of luxury and performance than my 96. I do not think you can go wrong with a well cared for example.

I sold mine with 205K for $8.5K this past summer. It was in nearly perfect condition and had many options. Given the condition of the car I was willing to be firm with the asking price. That being said, I think that you might consider being more patient and waiting for a just as nice of a car at a lower price.