I am looking for a 1987 300TDt for my wife. I will consider all cars. Northeast US is best but will go anywhere within 1200 miles or so. I will even consider non running cars. PM me or call me at 516-659-4151.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

Decided to do it, huh? Problem will be finding one - not many out there, and everyone's looking for one.

I scan every w124 wagon I see looking for that TD badge. I have a lot of w123s and w124s in my neighborhood - original owner kind of stuff. I find lots of wagons, almost none being diesels. If I find one, I'll let you know!

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I had a guy call and leave a message last night. There is a car in Atlanta with a cracked head. I am already wary because he wants a finder's fee. I will give him a call and see what's up.

I work in the Hampton's and there are lots of old Mercedes that sit in the garage all winter because the owners stay in NYC over the winter and just drive the cars in the summer. It would be great to find one in my own back yard but I know the chances are small. There was recently a TE for sale on the side of the road but it was gone in a couple of days. I work with alot of these richy riches (we call them citiots) and it is amazing the number of new Porsches and Ferraris that are their "summer cars" and they sit in their Hampton's house garage all winter.

A short antecdote: I was working in Bridgehampton and was sitting outside eating lunch during the summer. Near my work there is a storage garage and a guy comes cruising up with his 10 year old or so daughter. They open one of the stalls and go in. It is dark in there so I can't see what they are doing and I am really not paying attention anyway. Then I hear a car crank up and I know it is something real old by the sound of it. He proceeds to pull out in a Bugatti Type 35A. I talk to him and find out this is one of their fun rides when they are out in the Hamptons. He also mentions that he is in the process of restoring a Type 35C. In it's day, the 35C was one of the most succesful Grand Prix cars around. I think there are less than 50 left. These things are worth hundreds of thousands if not millions and it is just their fun ride for the summer!

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

That takes money, money, and more money.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I talked to the guy in Atlanta and the car with the cracked head is in CT. That is a stones throw from me. The head is off the car so it would have to be towed. He wants a finders fee, but even with that the car is $2,250. I figure it is worth a look.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

One showed up in the Chicago Tribune today - Mercedes 1987 300TD 7 pass diesel wagon, $2900, silver/gray, 210K, gd cond, 847-726-6788

I am not associated with the seller. Good luck.

Thank you very much. I talked to the seller and the first person who called bought it! Things are a little crazy out there.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

Hi:
Go to www.bargainnews.com for local listings (CT MA NY NJ). There's one in there in Old Saybrook CT....says it needs a head......in fact it may be the one you are already looking at with the cracked head! You may have seen it there!! It has been listed for over a month, but for no more than 2 months. Lots of people watch this site (like me) and when something good comes up it gets snagged immediately. Finder's fee.......whaaaat?
There were 3 of them on this site two weeks ago. One was listed as 147K miles for $2900, and I think it is now being advertised at a CT used car dealer for $8900. There was another with 200K miles for not much money. They come up every now and then on this site. Usually the new stuff for the week will show up on Thursday mornings, but occasionally a new listing or two will drift in on some other day.
Good luck.
Brian

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Brian
1995 E320 wagon

I just looked. 200K miles. The ad says "best offer". Take a look.
Can I get a finder's fee too??? What a load!!
Good luck. Brian

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Brian
1995 E320 wagon

riethoven, how much are you looking to spend? I know somoene who might be selling one but it's out here in CA.

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

riethoven - sorry it didn't work out. Market seems very hot right now for older Mercedes diesels. A reasonably priced vehicle in reasonable shape goes very quickly around here. I was sitting at light with my 85 wagon. Guy rolls up to me and rolls his window down - "Diesel?" I say yes. "Run good?" I say yes. He proceeded to offer me cash on the spot for it and it was more than I have into it with purchase price and repairs. Of course, I didn't take it. Good luck on your search.

Oh man, you are the best! I don't know if it is the same car, but what are the chances? I am an idiot because I haven't checked this thread in the last few hours! I have already left a message for the place. I guess I figured I am in it for the long haul when it comes to looking for one of these cars, so I know I have to be patient. But if I get a little logical, I should know that the majority of these cars were probably sold in the northeast and So. Cal. where more people are into European cars and there was probably a higher income base to be able to afford these expensive (when new) cars.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

One thing about older Mercedes besides that they are among the best cars ever built is that if they need big repairs (cylinder head on W124) that you can spend a ton of money having others do the repairs. I really only see these vehicles being worth big money to someone who can do their own work. If not, they can cost so much to repair that you might as well have a car payment. I think people who are paying over what they are really worth are in for a surprise the first time the car needs a big repair. So you pay $7,000 ro $8,000 for a good example then the cylinder head cracks and you have to pay someone else to do it - now you have $11,000 or more in the car. Is it still worth it? Some would say yes. I am not so sure.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

An update on my search for a 300TDt. I called on the one in CT www.bargainnews.com with the head off and went and saw it. Sure enough it has a 14 head that is off the car. I didn't look real close for the crack. I figure it has to be between the valve seats. The current owner bought it and it overheated the first real drive they took it on.

It is the light green metallic with creme leather interior. The odometer is only showing 125K. The service book is there and it looks like it was not very well serviced - late or undone oil changes and regular service. There is a little rust a the jack points, nothing a days work won't take care of. No rust on the bottom of the doors or the hatch.

I think the car is a good risk so I went for it. Now i just have to get it home and start on the repair.

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Doug

1987 300TD x 3
2005 E320CDI

Hey, can you put a tow truck on the ferry??
Jus kiddin! Would you be willing to share what you paid?
Sounds like a fun project! Congratulations!
Now, about my finder's fee........
Maybe I shoulda negotiated it before spillin' the beans! Seems I don't have much leverage at this point!
Congrats! Brian

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Brian
1995 E320 wagon