Is $4500 for a 1982 300D a decent deal?

[MikeinGB]

That's what a local seller is asking (or best offer), it's got 178,000 miles on it but no AC nor working cruise control... To me that seems a little on the high side?? I'm going to swing by & have a look as it's a local vehicle (actually the 1st I've seen for sale in the Green Bay area)...

Any thoughts from you fine folks??

Strike one - the car's in a rust-prone part of the country.
Strike two - non-working A/C?

That price is outrageous in my opinion. Then again, it might be completely pristine body, engine, and interior and just needs A/C work. In that case it might be worthwhile, but unlikely.

[byrdandcompany]

I would have to agree with the above post. Rust prone area. I just bought a 300D for pretty cheap and it has a strong engine, trans, and new brakes...All of this with little to no rust. Try craigslist down south and take a flight down to get one. Oh, if you want to buy mine, you can have it for 2k.

[Icefire]

Seems very high, it should be a mint example with working AC for that price,
check it out to see if you like it though, and keep looking.

Buyer is probably fishing, with the price of gas skyrocketing look for MB diesels to be going up in price shortly.

[MikeinGB]

I appreciate the responses & free advice, thanks guys Keep it coming

I work for an airline & do have travel benefits available to me, just need some time off to take advantage of them... My folks use them more than I do

byrdandcompany, is the car you're talking about the 79 300D in your sig?? I'm really looking for an 80-84 with a turbo... The car I will buy will be for my commute back & forth from work (60 miles total) 5 days a week & I'll want something that'll cruise at 70-75 mph... The 99 Ford Ranger I currently drive is putting a beating on the wallet (even on E85) & since we've got another child on the way I need more back seat real estate. Send me some info & pix if you think it'd fit my needs.

Thanks again everyone

[JimFreeh]

Before you balk at this price, troll through ebay and look at the sales price on some of the top tier W123 turbo diesels.

I'm getting ready to place my 83 300D on ebay, so I've been watching the prices closely for several months.

The fact is, that most of the W123 turbos out there are only worth the $1500 to $3000 that are paid for them. For $4500, I would certainly expect to see a better indication of maintenance, the A/C not working is a big red flag to me. If the owner balks at this repair, what other deferred maintenance lurks in the background?

BUT, and that's a big BUT, the difference between a $2500 300D and a $9000 300D is $15000.

In other words, the average, needs a "few" things, little or no history 300D cannot possibly be transformed into a top tier car without spending twice what you'd ever get back back out of it.

I've owned quite a few W123s over the years, from parts car to decent driver, to one of the top examples of the breed. If what you seek is a top tier car, it's a bargain to pay $8-9K for one like mine. You just plain cannot take a lesser car and make it the equal of a cherished, documented, and highly maintained original car.

Jim

[MikeinGB]

Jim, you are so right...

Me though, I'm likely in that $2000-4000 range. The seller of this particular car didn't know how many folks had owned the vehicle before him. I may be jumping to conclusions but it seems like he bought something with the idea of turning it into a better car - then realised what he got himself into & is trying to recoup a little of his investment, I could be wrong.

Back in 1991 I was still in the Navy (in your neck of the woods - Norfolk) & I bought a well used (well beaten, actually) 1973 Karmann Ghia. I just wanted one so bad, I didn't care what I was doing & ended up overpaying for a car with bad brakes, a shot interior & no reverse gear What the heck was I thinking??? I wasn't... I ended up selling it for a few hundred bucks. I check the 'bay now & then for Ghias & I see the disparity of prices. Yeah sure, I could drop a couple thousand to get a "pretty nice" one - but that pristine, perfect example is going to net 10 grand or more... Too bad the internet wasn't around in the state it is now back then or I'd probably still have that thing...

Anyway, to get back on track, sounds like the seller will be listing it on ebay soon - still haven't seen it yet...

[Designo_E320]

offer him $1500 and ask him to come down from Mars. If he doesn't agree, move on.

[rbardolv]

I have one for sale here...

FS: 1983 w126, well maintained, recently recond.

[MikeinGB]

I dropped by & had a look @ the 300D the other day, I'll admit it does LOOK pretty nice. It's on eeee bay now (item 160126752528), I'll likely bid -but we'll have to see if bidding gets too crazy too quickly... From the description he listed there, I don't think he'll get the $4500 he was looking to get (especially the non-working AC, CC & instruments). Also, the piece that surrounds the headlights on one side (maybe both) is getting spider-webby cracks in them - haven't looked to see how much replacements are... What do you guys think now??

Mike in GB

P.S. On the way to look at the car I almost ran over a wild turkey that was crossing the road, only the 2nd or 3rd time I've ever seen one

[Hogweed]

he won't get nearly as much as he could; he doesn't even mention bio-diesel, wvo conversion, or the fact that the cars can go 500,000 miles! sheesh, what's he thinking

[roostermhm]

I just bought a 1984 300D turbo for 1600. had to drive from Illinois to Baltimore to get it. AC dead, needs brakes, belts, filters, usual crap. Make SURE the title is ok, this one had a MD junk title (ya, used car dealers always tell the truth) and I have to have it inspected. E-Bay prices around 1500 to 2000 for ok fixer upers. I got lucky though, this one runs great. Has 190k on the odo.

[dieselkid]

Bought my 84 300d 6 months ago. 137,000 miles original. No rust Well maintained. $1,800

Thank you Lord