WTB: W123 81-85 300D/300TD or W124 90-95 300D
 

I sold my W123 at the beginning of the summer and I am ready to get back in another diesel Benz. Looking for W123s as long as they are turbo and open to W124s as long as they are diesel. Also maybe open to an 87 300TD if it is in nice shape.

Here are my priorities:
No rust
Reliable and ready to daily drive. No major leaks or mechanical issues (rear main seal). No massive amounts of burning oil or smoking.
Working A/C that doesn't need to be topped off regularly
Vacuum system all working properly (locks and trans)
Original paint (would rather have faded original paint than a crappy respray, but open to QUALITY resprays. No maaco junk)
Working windows
Good headliner (W124s)
Good Tires
No Beige

Here is stuff that is awesome that I don't expect but would be sweet and maybe make me overlook some of the other stuff:
Euro Lights
Euro Bumpers
Manual Windows
Manual Transmission
Crack free dash
No leaks
Rebuilt motors or trans
Will consider non turbo W123 grey market cars
Etc.


I don't mind doing some work here and there but I like to save that for the project vehicles. I have be scouring CL for the past few weeks but haven't found anything worth it. So hopefully I could find something here.

My budget is around $3500. For the perfect car I could go a bit over.

1. No rust

Possibly doable in your area, although some minor rust is the most likely case.

2. Reliable and ready to daily drive. No major leaks or mechanical issues (rear main seal). No massive amounts of burning oil or smoking.

You've set a low bar, here.

3. Working A/C that doesn't need to be topped off regularly

Maybe 50-50 here.

4. Vacuum system all working properly (locks and trans)

Usually found working in a W124, less so on a W123.

5. Original paint (would rather have faded original paint than a crappy respray, but open to QUALITY resprays. No maaco junk)

Good luck. Your price point doesn't support this wish. A quality respray alone exceeds your price.

6. Working windows

Improve your odds, try for 3 out of 4. Seriously, this is an easy area to make right. Use the non working windows as a basis to reduce the price.

7. Good headliner (W124s)

Not to expensive, around $250. Good negotiation tool.

8. Good Tires

True, but I'd rather have worn tires so I could "pick" what I like, not what was cheap or a tire I don't care for. Worn tires can tell you quite bit about the suspension and the way the car has been driven.

9. No Beige

No comment.



My budget is around $3500. For the perfect car I could go a bit over.


Your budget will buy an average car, but not a car that meets all your requirements. Remember, these cars are now a minimum of 18 years old, some are over 30. Everything you will look at will require work. Prioritize the top 3 or 4 items on your list and try to find an example that meets those attributes. If it meets more, then that's great!

Jim

Jim you are correct. My hunt has proved unsuccessful so far.

My budget has increased to $6,000. Would really like a W123 wagon but open to the other mentioned cars as well if the price is right.

Well, curious that this would pop up over a month later.

When I answered csermonet47 back in August, I had no idea that I would be doing this.......

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-cars-sale/344722-1995-e300-diesel-sale-virginia-beach-va.html

Jim

I am just in the beginning stages of offering my w123 euro for sale,

Check out my build thread and let me know if you are interested. I agree with the second post analysis; you can either meet your original budget or make some tradeoffs.

I will say my car meets MANY of your Likes and only has a couple of the dislikes.

my 300d http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367535-new-me-eurobenzo-1986-300d.html

just realized this wasnt one month old but 2 years and one month!!! Whoops