Mint condidtion 300D Not mine 15,000 mi.

[MERC Master]

here it is looks like its worth taking a look at

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=230434312564&category=6330&_trksid=p2773.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D18%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D54

[POS]

About as good as it gets; I'm betting $12,000.

[Skid Row Joe]

I'm quasi-skeptical about the KMs or 'miles.' The engine compartment looks of similar usage to the '83 300SD I drove to 305K miles in 16 years, and the snippets of underside that can be seen via the wheelwells aren't just really clean. There is corrosion on the power steering resevoir lid - something my SD never had, but then again very few MB owners keep their engine compartments as clean as I do - that, and this car may have been exposed to the chemicals of wintertime and kept ungaraged. It's just too hard to make the call with pictures - however it does look like a very nice MB diesel. You could eat off the interior of my E300TD's engine compartment at 11 years and 120K miles - but again, that's just how I kkep a car.

[yellowbenz]

Anybody know the issues with importing this car to the US? Any Canadian members willing to look at this car? Would the speedometer need to be changed?

Thanks

[brucem105]

Originally Posted by yellowbenz

Anybody know the issues with importing this car to the US? Any Canadian members willing to look at this car? Would the speedometer need to be changed?

Thanks

No issues at 25 years old if similar model was sold in USA.....basic paperwork and small duty. Cluster supposed to be changed, but no one knows or cares.

Bruce

[punkinfair]

Originally Posted by yellowbenz

Anybody know the issues with importing this car to the US? Any Canadian members willing to look at this car? Would the speedometer need to be changed?

Thanks

i could probably look at the car for you. the listing says M4W (postal code) toronto, i live in downtown toronto which is not far from that area.

[JiveTurkey]

Looks like a gorgeous well cared for honest car to me thats had regular, but limited use. Meaning this wasn't a car that sat for 15 years without being used, but has been driven normally year to year in very small and tightly controlled increments.

I'd love to have this car.

[Skid Row Joe]

"3. Full tune up with new plugs, 4. New Injection lines, driven daily, Mint "


Since there are no records offered on the car, this would be a red flag to me - since verifying the vehicle as actual miles would be impossible. The version of CARFAX offered, says basically nothing to prove the mileage indicated.

1) Why would a MB diesel with only about 15K miles on it need "new Injection lines?"

2) What would constitute a; "Full tune up with new plugs," on a MB diesel with only 15K miles? Although the seller identified glow plugs, that doesn't explain the "full tune-up."

3) The seller claims BOTH; "Mint" condition in the ad - now the seller claims there to be; "a buckle on the left front fender."

4) Since buying the car at 22 years of age, he also claims that he drives it daily - yet doesn't state the mileage on car when bought. That means he's driven the car daily for about 3 years......it's hard to believe the car only shows that few a miles on it.

I'm all for a several decades old low-mileage car being worth a ton of money - but there's too many holes in what the seller presents to pay just a lot for the car - with no more than that to go by. I would exercise extreme care in buying this car - were I a serious buyer. At what's bid on the car presently, ($6,500) without proof of it's authenticity - it's already nearly overpriced, and there's no telling the reserve on it. Something doesn't seem to add up in total on the car - all missing and uncorroborated information considered.

[joegolden]

well put skid row Joe ...too many holes in this tale...my 85 300dt with 60+k looked much better than this car does... but it was a true southern garage queen. I will note relating to replacing parts on such a low mileage car (such as injector lines) I had a record of the transmission being replaced in mine at 33k miles in 1999... Odd and unusual BUT Of course I had all service records..with my car to present a timeline of mileage

[Hatterasguy]

Looks damn nice, if I were in the market for a W123 I'd be taking a look at it.

If you know Mercedes within 10 minutes of looking it over in person you will be able to tell if the mileage is legit.

[Graplr]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

2) What would constitute a; "Full tune up with new plugs," on a MB diesel with only 15K miles? Although the seller identified glow plugs, that doesn't explain the "full tune-up."

People that don't work on their own cars or know much about the mechanics of them call any engine work that is not an overhaul of the engine a "tune-up." I would assume that is was a valve adjustment, oil change, filters, etc. This alone would not throw up a red flag for me. But any 27 year old car with only 15k miles would cause me to look at it with a skeptical eye.

[Skid Row Joe]

That still doesn't explain how the car can be called; "Mint," and; "Please note: there is a small buckle on the left front fender." How could the car be both.......and what constitutes "a buckle?" A collision of some degree comes to mind. A fellow on another forum claims his '72 Ford F250 is 'mint,' yet is rusting-out on the wheels and rocker-panels 360 degrees. Some use words that just don't fit the goods...... I'll be interested in what the forum member from Toronto, Canada discovers - if the seller will chance it being viewed by a non-bidder -which I would seriously doubt he would chance, before locking-in the highest bid - provided the Reserve is met.

[Graplr]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

That still doesn't explain how the car can be called; "Mint," and; "Please note: there is a small buckle on the left front fender." How could the car be both.......and what constitutes "a buckle?" A collision of some degree comes to mind. A fellow on another forum claims his '72 Ford F250 is 'mint,' yet is rusting-out on the wheels and rocker-panels 360 degrees. Some use words that just don't fit the goods...... I'll be interested in what the forum member from Toronto, Canada discovers - if the seller will chance it being viewed by a non-bidder -which I would seriously doubt he would chance, before locking-in the highest bid - provided the Reserve is met.

I agree with the mint statements. Mint is WAY overused by people selling things. Mint is the same as BRAND NEW condition. You stated the defects so as you stated it truly can't be in mint condition.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by Graplr

I agree with the mint statements. Mint is WAY overused by people selling things. Mint is the same as BRAND NEW condition. You stated the defects so as you stated it truly can't be in mint condition.

Correct.

Last Spring a buddy of mine travelled to Montgomery, Alabama, from Omaha, NE. to see a misrepresented 'Mint' '63 Chevrolet Corvette - a white coupe - A/C, PS, PB - 4-speed, etc. with somewhere around 70 color pictures on the Internet. The Vette was part of an 'exclusive collection' of cars. Turns out the Corvette was only gorgeous on the Internet pictures. My friend is a collector of old Chevy's '57s etc. and he said the car started to look sorrowful from 15 feet, and got worse the closer he got. Wouldn't start - needed a jump, windshield wipers inoperable, buckle on the front right fender, and on, and on. He spent $425.00 flying in for two days to buy a car with an asking price of $69,000.00 - one would think it actually was 'Mint.' The owner of the collection stated over the phone; "that he would pay all travel expenses, if not as represented." My buddy billed him for $425.00 and sent the list of about 40 defects the car showed - the guy sent him a check, believe it or not.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by Graplr

......... But any 27 year old car with only 15k miles would cause me to look at it with a skeptical eye.

Granted, it's wise to be skeptical. BUT: Right now, I'm looking to replace my work van with a 22 year-old van from an old folks' home. It's clean, a little bit of rust in two spots, but it has a hydraulic wheel chair lift that I can use for hauling engines, and it's only got 7800 miles. It was kept to ensure that if the ambulance couldn't arrive, or if a second person needed to go to the hospital, there would be back-up, which never happened.

They continue to err on the side of caution and have bought another van (2010 MY) equipped the same way.

As Reagan said, " Trust but verify."