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#1
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Could I ever recover what I've spent?
I have been contemplating getting out if the diesel/wvo game. I bought my 1990 350SDL in August for $6K from a Indy Benz mechanic. Since buying it I've had to buy: cylinder head ($2500 for a brand new #22 head), shocks, guide rods, idler bushing, glow plugs, cd player, new MB mats, water pump, thermostat, a bunch of tid bits, and a Frybrid WVO kit ($1700). I have probably $11-12K+ into it and I cant believe it. I am so tempted to sell and get out from under it but I cant imagine getting close to what I have into it. The car has 238K miles, an 86 300SDL engine with 110Kmiles & new MB head. It has some minor rust on the drivers fender and could use a good detail. The WVO kit works well and is fully functional. Anyone have any idea what I could possibly get for it if I did try to sell it?
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#2
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Vehicles are the worst investment. If the vehicle runs well finally, why not keep driving it until it falls apart (well that won't happen, but you get my meaning).
It's the 350 most people would like, 3.0L shortblock, updated head, PM done, etc.
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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look. '85 300SD 245k '87 300SDL 251k '90 300SEL 326k Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford. Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG] |
#3
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It sounds to me like you've invested all of your startup money and its time to sit back and let the wvo kit prove its worth. Unless something else major gives out, like the tranny, I'd say you've got a great car and you should sit back and enjoy the free ride. Things like detailing are nice but are definately not a necessity.
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Seth 1984 300D 225K 1985 300D Donor body 1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!! 1980 300SD 311K My New Baby. 1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo |
#4
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I'm sure it's a nice car, but you aren't going to come close to your investment if you try and sell it. You should be able to drive it for many years without major $ investment, so just think of it as saving the $ you would be making payments with for something else.
And you don't have the rod-bender engine in there anymore, which is a plus for you. Drive it, enjoy it.
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Jimmy L. '05 Acura TL 6MT 2001 ML430 My Spare Gone: '95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black '85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White '80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed '81 300TD 240K "Smash" '80 240D 230K "The Squash" '81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John |
#5
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i bought my 300D with the intent on running my biodiesel in it.. now im starting to lean more towards restoring the car and driving it an giving up on the whole bio thing.. but thats because ive been busy lately . i do want my car to look nice though i love my benz
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#6
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I thought you were sold on biodiesel?
What happened? Save the rest of us from folly. |
#7
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I think at this point I have to stick with it... Not only do I have it all setup for WVO, but I have several hundred gallons of the stuff and a biodiesel processor built and ready to go once the weather warms up. It just seems as I fix one thing something else goes but there has to be a point that things stop breaking... Looks like Im in it for the long haul
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#8
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Quote:
But, if your heart isn't into owning an old dieselbeast, maybe you'd have your best luck selling the car on a site of WVO enthusiasts-before the fad wanes.
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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue" "Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement." listen, look, .........and duck. |
#9
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Honeymoon is over
Quote:
The question is, will you keep the car, now that the major issues are fixed. It is a car, things wear out, break and fail. You could have an auto accident tomorrow = total it, would you get enough to break even, or loose everything??? Review your insurance, do a search, and get advice from other members that have experience with insurance claims. Be prepared. Have a great day.
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ASE Master Mechanic asemastermechanic@juno.com Prototype R&D/testing: Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician. Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH). Dynamometer. Heat exchanger durability. HV-A/C Climate Control. Vehicle build. Fleet Durability Technical Quality Auditor. Automotive Technical Writer 1985 300SD 1983 300D 1984 190D 2003 Volvo V70 2002 Honda Civic https://www.boldegoist.com/ |
#10
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As Roy said, these are old cars their will always be something that is broken. You might as well keep it but if you really want out cut your loses and run.
However you will not get your money back, I see real nice 350SDL's go for over $10k all the time. But with a non original engine and WVO kit don't expect that.
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1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#11
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Unless you sell the car to someone who not only needs one exactly like yours (with that engine, the brand new cylinder head, the WVO kit, etc) but is also willing to be fair by paying something good for it, you'll lose out big time. I'd say the most you can get for that car will be $6,000 - $7,000. Basically, just the original cost of the car to you can be obtained back. Add-ons are for your personal pleasure and potential buyers, in an attempt to get a good deal, can make you really feel like they don't care for the add-ons even if they do.
Generally speaking, when it comes to cars, you never get back what you put into them. Like someone said earlier, they are a very bad investment. Just keep the car or if you really want out, be prepared to lose thousands.
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1999 Mercedes-Benz S600, 103K miles - garage queen 1988 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL, 89K miles - daily driver 2007 Hyundai Sonata Limited, 31K - daily driver |
#12
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We need another viewpoint here guys...
I'm looking at it like this - DUDE ! you have 350SDL ! you have one of the few good-running W140 diesels out there - The W140 is (arguably) the top of the diesel-s-class food chain in the US. Enjoy the car for what it is - a modern full-size luxury sedan with a (now) kickin' diesel engine in it. I'd love to have one for myself, but the cost of entry is too high for me. -John
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2009 Kia Sedona 2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L 12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse (insert Mercedes here) Husband, Father, sometimes friend =) |
#13
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It's a 126, not a 140.
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The Golden Rule 1984 300SD (bought new, sold it in 1988, bought it back 13 yrs. later) |
#14
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oops !
I'd still rock it...
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2009 Kia Sedona 2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L 12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse (insert Mercedes here) Husband, Father, sometimes friend =) |
#15
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Quote:
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Bookmarks |
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