For Sale : 1971 220D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

kwoody · #1 03-01-2013, 10:21 AM

With my latest addition of the W123, I have found that the W115 doesn't get out much. And I don't really want to be spending money fixing up both cars, so I am going to cut the W115 lose. I plan to list it on ebay Sunday, but wanted to offer it to the forum first in case there is any interest. It was my daily driver for the last 6 months. I purchased it from the daughter of the elderly man that owned the car from 1990-2012. He spent a ton of money on the car during that time, especially early on.

Paint/Rust:
Right after he got it, he had the car repainted with Mercedes paint, the original mercedes color. That paint still shines great, but there is some rust in various places. There is a little bubbling around the bottom of the windshield, around the bottom of the trunk lid, and at the bottoms of the doors. There are a couple of places along the trim down the sides, too. From 20ft, the car looks perfect. It is not very noticeable until you are on the car. There is a dent in the driver rear fender, where a 16 yr old kid without insurance hit the old man. I had receipts for some of the repair (I think it affected axle or something, would need to check receipts) but died before he got around to the body work. I will take a photo to include this.

Engine:
Right after he got the car, he also replaced the engine. He bought a brand new engine from Mercedes and had it shipped over from Germany. I think this engine alone makes the car worth my asking price. I am unsure when the odometer quit working. I have all the service records since the car was bought new, so it would be possible to trace. I'm just not sure though. However, the old man drove the car to work and back, and that is about it. His daughter said he drove no more than 4,000 miles a year (his house was about a mile from work). He died in 2010. We estimate the new engine having about 60,000 miles on it. I have put about 3,000 on it. Christmas 2012 I drove it to Indianapolis and back, without the first problem. While there, I had my father and grandfather help me change both motor mounts and the transmission mount. We also changed gearshift bushings and steering damper.

Transmission:
The transmission shifts just fine. Not as soft as modern cars, but has never given me the first problem. It is lazy and most of the time doesn't downshift going up a big hill until it HAS to, do I end up cruising up steep hills at about 25 MPH. However, on the highway I have no problem getting up to 80, though I don't like to hear it wind and tend to stay down around 70.

Power Steering:
There is a bad power steering leak I have not had diagnosed. It is on my to-do list to clean up the whole area and find out where the leak it coming from. I have no idea. It started with a squeal and started getting worse, and I quit adding fluid because it was making such a mess of my driveway. Power steering isn't working -- it is a bear to turn until you get going 5 MPH or more, then all is well.

The Bad:
The front and rear windshielf gaskets are horrible. The front is much worse than the year. The rear shows plenty of evidence of having leaked in the past, but since I got it, it has not leaked. No water gets into trunk. However, the windshield is currently looking around the top. I put some clear silicone sealant around it, and it helped. I keep it at home covered up on rainy days and drive one of the other vehicles. However, at Christmas it was raining on my drive back and coming in, so I duct taped the top of the windshield and no more water got in over the remaining 150 miles. I changed the fuel filters when I got home, and the duct tape is still there. It really needs that seal, I just haven't found anyone to do the work. The radio does not work.

The car originally came with A/C, but there was no A/C Compressor in the car when I got it. I crank the windows down, and then open the small vent window, and I am happy. I don't use A/C in any of my cars that it works in. Figured that may be important to some of you though.

The car starts EVERY time without any issues. The glow plugs work great. The car shuts off immediately when you push the knob in, too. The rear seats are original and in perfect condition. Front seats were recovered in the 90s, and are in great shape -- just not a perfect match to the MB tex -- which nobody has ever noticed that has been in the car, but I know, and if you are on this forum you will probably notice, too. The dash is cracked, and he had a plastic/vinyl dash cover on it that is formed to the dash, that cover it very well. I took it off, though, since it isn't original, but can be put back on in 5 seconds. It has no headrests on the front seats, but I have 2 perfect condition black MB Tex headrests in my garage for it. I have several other parts for the car in the trunk. I plan to clean it up this weekend and take photos. I will share when I take them. The idle is kind of weak, and I suspect the fuel strainer needs cleaned, and it probably needs valve adjustment. I had plans of taking it in for valve adjustment (just had my 240D done last week) but why spend another $100 if on of you can just do it in your garage.

Any questions, just ask.

I want $2500 for it, and am pretty firm. If that price is too high for you guys, I will be putting on ebay and seeing what happens.

kwoody · #2 03-01-2013, 10:24 AM

These photos I had taken previously. I plan to take new ones.

kwoody · #3 03-11-2013, 11:04 AM

I finally got around to listing on ebay this morning. There are a ton of photos in the description.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Mercedes-Benz-220D-Diesel-Automatic-/221200332098?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3380913542

strelnik · #4 03-18-2013, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kwoody

I finally got around to listing on ebay this morning. There are a ton of photos in the description.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Mercedes-Benz-220D-Diesel-Automatic-/221200332098?pt=US_Cars_Trucks&hash=item3380913542

Given that the vehicle has no AC, and doesn't have a compressor, or an AC system per se, I can see why you didn't make your reserve.

Plus no one wants to spend a lot of money replacing the windshield seals.
If you had done those two things, you would have gotten more money., I don't know what your reserve was.

My yellow 240D has rust but mechanically it has working AC and no water leaks, so it will sell quicker, especially in a climate where the AC is needed.

You may want to consider some fixes or lower your expectations.

You can't flip a car like that without addressing those issues. It's like selling a house with a giant bay window with a large crack in it. Less curb appeal especially to the unskilled who want a turnkey car.

Sorry if that distresses you, but the market is funny that way in a world where fewer are mechanically inclined.

socalbenz · #5 03-20-2013, 04:48 PM

The three bushings for the horn ring are available from the dealer. If I recall correctly they cost $1 each.

Shortsguy1 · #6 03-20-2013, 10:51 PM

I think it was good that we waited until the auction was over to discuss this. I didn't want to hurt kwoody's chance at a successful sale. When I inherited my dad's 220D, I was shocked at how little value they had. It has always been a very special car to me, but it quickly became clear that my value for the car and the market value for the car differ wildly. I follow the sale prices of 220Ds and other w115s here in CA quite closely, and a car with rust unfortunately will sell for around $1500. I saw a truly immaculate 220D (interior and exterior, not sure about engine mechanics) sell for $2700 in Arizona last year. That car was amazing and I wish I could have bought it. But it certainly has forced me to accept that the market value for my rusty 220D does not equal my perceived value for such a great little car. Kwoody, I hope you are able to sell your car for a price which meets your expectations.