Willing to come down to the States to get a nice one. Here's my wishlist:

1. Manual transmission (preferred) or solid auto
2. Paintwork doesn't have to be fantastic but would be nice if the clearcoat's not all gone.
3. Engine in good condition and never veggied.
4. SLS in working condition.
5. Third-row seats
6. Rust on body, depends how bad. Rust on frame, well, depends on how scary.

Under $3000, what do you guys think? Realistic?

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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

The manual transmission part is not.

I would think you'd want little/no rust in exchange of bad paint. Seems to be there's plenty of nice $5000+ examples, and alot of ones worth basically nothing but parts value, but not alot in between. Either people took care of them or toasted them.

My suggestion would be to wait until you have double the budget to get a very nice one with nice paint/no rot and have a little left over for the unexpected.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Is this what you had in mind? It's a little more than your price range but I've seen it for sale for awhile...

http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/2341976852.html

1984 mercedes 300td stationwagon/ euro diesel/biodeiesel - $4500 (northgate)
Date: 2011-04-23, 7:37AM PDT
Reply to: sale-rgbeb-2341976852@craigslist.org [Errors when replying to ads?]
4 speed standard transmission 1984 mercedes model station wagon in very good running condition.217,000 miles Engine very strong.Turn over first time hot or cold weather.
This is a diesel car but is set up for bio diesel. The interior is in good condition. The dash board has cracks as you would expect, there is a tear in the drivers seat, all other seats in good condition. Carpets are in good condition throughout. The sunroof function properly,and like everything else in this vehicle is manual ( no electric window, doors etc.)Currently the gas guage is non functional so it is necessary to keep a gas log. The exterior is in good condition. The clearcoat on the roof, hood, and rear is partially gone, but looks ok. The paint on the sides is very good. There are several small dimples. in the body. . Ive recently replaced the transmission, brand new calipers and brakes rear, new slave cylinder. Tires are good.
I use this car everyday with total confidence. Again this vehicle is a true cruiser.

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1984 300D, 228k, Light Ivory, Java MB-Tex

Gawd... I would be happy to get mine out of my hair for $1500.

__________________
08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

Thanks for the suggestions Tyler, but I'm really not looking for a super-duper collector piece Let me explain where I'm coming from:

I have an '84 123 that gives me endless pleasure driving. It came with a huge tear on the driver's seat that sagged like nobody's business. There was rust eating away the lower front cowl (still eating away at it); rust in 3 out of 4 of the jackpoints; a long scratch on the passenger side rear door that was bubbling and the clearcoat was coming off near the antennae mast. I paid $1,700 for that Benz and its been the best car I've ever owned and I drive it almost 80 km daily to and from work without incident. Sure its not the best mileage vehicle out there, but with careful driving I can eke out about 8 litres per 100 km. Good enough for me.

The eldest is soon going to want to use the car. I want her to learn on a manual shift car. This is going to be the family car (3rd row seats). I have a healthy respect for the 123 and appreciate the classic looks of it.

Joseph Conrad (I love heart of darkness!), thanks for that suggestion. Yes, that would be something i might look at. Yes, the guy is asking too much. I wonder if its worth that much in that condition. He's probably trying to recoup the cost of the replaced transmission. He doesn't mention 3rd row seats, so I guess they don't exist and scariest of all, he mentions that its ready for biodiesel.

Thoughts anyone?

__________________
1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

Ashedd, what kind of itch is your wagon causing you that you wanna get it outta your hair for $1,500??

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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

it's in the way, I am too busy to screw with it. Still has studded snow tires on it, I have no time/motivation to swap them out. I am still tracking down an air leak in the fuel line. Seems to work just fine sucking fuel from the return line... but gets a lot of air on the actual fuel side. I am guessing rust got the better of the supply line somewhere.

Looks pretty good, has some rust issues. Otherwise it's dead reliable, also dead uncomfortable for me. Once I get rid of it I will never have another w123. I am too tall for them.

__________________
08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

AH ic...well, you're in Indianapolis and I'm on the wet coast.
Pity....I've been reading about your travails as well. My wife would balk, but it just seems like a bit of work (well actually quite a bit of work) and your ole TD would run fine again. Fuel tank work is no fun any time of the year.

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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada

there seems to be some kind of cult around these particular cars,why? who knows but they seem overpriced to me. i live in western washington and recently paid $4500 for an 82 300td so the price seems ok to me.craigslist has one occasionally.

For me, its the W123 simplicity, in a larger, more capably-loaded family vehicle. 7 seats. Ability to load up with materials from Home Depot without hooking up a trailer. Ability to hook up a trailer and pull a substantial weight (I collect firewood and currently haul a LOT of it on a 4x8 trailer with 2000lb capacity). Ability to STOP said trailer with ease due to powerful disk brakes all around. Good fuel economy. Stylish.

And yes, it is overpriced, I dunno why?

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1987 300TD
1984 300D
755,000 KM and going strong
BC Canada