Wtb: w123 300td (the wagon) - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ubertino · #1 10-12-2013, 11:38 PM

Looking for a w123 wagon without rust, working ac and sls system. I'm not new to the platform, and am willing to accept some warts.

I understand this is not a common car, and am willing to pay a fair price, upwards of $5-7k for the right vehicle. Car must be independently inspected before purchase.

Thank you!

dieseldiehard · #2 10-13-2013, 12:17 AM

I look at CL occasionally for wagons, always hoping to find a W124 wagon that needs an engine. Anyhow I saw on in So Calif today and am not recommending it but it does appear to be much better than many I've seen lately and at what could be a reasonable price if its in the condition the seller claims.
FWIW, I really like my '79 300TD. It has a '85 turbo engine, rebuilt trans out of a 350SL, a few mods here and there but has been a very reliable car over the 20+ years I've owned it, and I've put about 130K miles on her since then.
DDH
1985 MERCEDES 300 D TURBO DIESEL WAGON
good luck with your search and watch out for rust! And Michigan is in the Rust Belt! Better to find a car in Arizona or the W Coast.

ubertino · #3 10-13-2013, 09:19 AM

Thank you, checking out your ad right now.

dieseldiehard · #4 10-13-2013, 01:19 PM

FWIW, the 85 had a lower gear ratio in the differential, making it get better mileage than previous years but it used a transmission that was smaller and weaker than previous years, 84-1/2 was similar in those respects but hard to find.
Another point, the 85 Calif diesels use a large cannister air filter mounted behind the front bumper, its a more expensive filter but it won't break off the metal brackets that hold it to the engine like in earlier cars. That was a bad design plus some brackets were made poorly and would fail within a year, depending on how many times you shut the engine on and off or if the engine has a lope or not it put stress on the AF bracket, so this is a more desirable car from that small aspect.
The owner claims the transmission in that car was rebuilt, if so then that makes the price seem reasonable. Papers showing when and where the work was done would be in order. Without that I would not say this was a reasonable price.
Some people have been asking incredible amounts for 123 wagons, like $10,000 and up - those are dreamers. And fuel mileage claims run as high as 35 - 40 MPG which is completely false on a 123 turbodiesel, only the 85 will get close to 30 MPG, the rest struggle with getting 25.

dieseldiehard · #5 10-13-2013, 06:30 PM

a 300CD coupe on eBay is presently listed as Buy It Now for $15,950. Item# 261300205027
It closed at $11,150 below the sellers reserve price. 140K mile car not worth it to me but definitely a fully restored car.

ubertino · #6 10-14-2013, 09:47 AM

I'm not looking for something fully restored, but I would like something that has been cared for, a trend that I intend to continue. I'm willing to pay a premium for a nice example of the car.

The worst is that I see something about once a week on the Los Angeles craiglist, but by the time I get an inspection scheduled with a shop and the seller, it sells to somebody who's there in person. I've had this happen to two cars now.

t walgamuth · #7 10-14-2013, 10:59 AM

If you don't find your ideal you could consider my rust free texas 83 300TD shell to combine with a rusty or wrecked mechanically sound 300TD. I'm in Lafayette In and would be happy to deliver.

MTUpower · #8 10-14-2013, 02:16 PM

I believe soon I will be selling my wife's 1982 wagon. I'll post pics soon, it's not a total restore asking $15K, but it is a garage queen.

ubertino · #9 10-15-2013, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

If you don't find your ideal you could consider my rust free texas 83 300TD shell to combine with a rusty or wrecked mechanically sound 300TD. I'm in Lafayette In and would be happy to deliver.

Does this include the 5 speed transmission....?

MTU, you have my attention.