How much is too much for a 300cd?

[patagrande]

I'm looking to downsize from my 300sd to a 300cd. The problem: in very good condition these cars are going for at least $7k in California. On E-bay I watch these guys sell these ones for $10K or more.

Is this what I'm going to pay? Or has California gone diesel crazy?

--Chris

[kamil]

that's way too crazy!!! why would someone pay 10k for a 20+ year old car.

Maybe we should start selling our 5-speed 190Ds.....we can probably fetch some good money for both of them.

My first car was a 300CD. Man did I hate that thing. Mainly because it had rust problems and was dirty. It grew on me of course and I would probably take one of those in place of many new cars now. There are much better mercedes for $5K and up. Some people have to have that 5cyl diesel engine so if you are one of those then ignore the rest of what I say. I presume you want good fuel economy. To be honest I don't recall it getting great mileage (~20 around town). If you are mainly doing highway travelling a 5 speed 190E is pretty good (the 2.2L diesel is insane). I think there is a 190D 2.5L turbo which scoots. For comfort, power and luxury the 400E/500E can't be beat. I used to floor my 400E at ever stop light and never got below 15 around town and got 25-30 on the highway. If you want better fuel economy but like the W124 the 300D 2.5 and 3.0L. A decent W124 or 5 speed 190 are all less than $10K on ebay. The main complaint I have with a lot of the older diesels is 1. they are slow 2. they have no options and usually have he cheapest/plainest interiors. The turbos get better mileage and have more power. I have never seen a W124 diesel with the leather seats and wood of the 92-93 300E/400E. Maybe they do and I just don't remember. I am not sure what exactly the differences are in the interior between the different models but it makes the difference between sitting in a Euro taxi and a luxury, sport sedan (that and the engine).

E.g.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-300D-DIESEL-RECORD-ONE-OWNER-EXTRA-CLEAN_W0QQitemZ4574153648QQcategoryZ6335QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Also a good, low mileage 300D turbo (or related) from 82-85 is pretty much name your price. Extremely low mileage ones still go for $12K-$20k. Hard to believe but true.

[GermanStar]

I suspect it's a coupe, rather than a California issue. Mercedes coupes have always commanded premium prices.

[Ara T.]

Originally Posted by laurencekarl

My first car was a 300CD. Man did I hate that thing. Mainly because it had rust problems and was dirty. It grew on me of course and I would probably take one of those in place of many new cars now. There are much better mercedes for $5K and up. Some people have to have that 5cyl diesel engine so if you are one of those then ignore the rest of what I say. I presume you want good fuel economy. To be honest I don't recall it getting great mileage (~20 around town). If you are mainly doing highway travelling a 5 speed 190E is pretty good (the 2.2L diesel is insane). I think there is a 190D 2.5L turbo which scoots. For comfort, power and luxury the 400E/500E can't be beat. I used to floor my 400E at ever stop light and never got below 15 around town and got 25-30 on the highway. If you want better fuel economy but like the W124 the 300D 2.5 and 3.0L. A decent W124 or 5 speed 190 are all less than $10K on ebay. The main complaint I have with a lot of the older diesels is 1. they are slow 2. they have no options and usually have he cheapest/plainest interiors. The turbos get better mileage and have more power. I have never seen a W124 diesel with the leather seats and wood of the 92-93 300E/400E. Maybe they do and I just don't remember. I am not sure what exactly the differences are in the interior between the different models but it makes the difference between sitting in a Euro taxi and a luxury, sport sedan (that and the engine).

E.g.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/95-300D-DIESEL-RECORD-ONE-OWNER-EXTRA-CLEAN_W0QQitemZ4574153648QQcategoryZ6335QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Also a good, low mileage 300D turbo (or related) from 82-85 is pretty much name your price. Extremely low mileage ones still go for $12K-$20k. Hard to believe but true.

I cant believe you just said that the old diesels have cheap interiors. I think they're beautiful, and they're put together solidly too. I have taken myself and 2 of my friends around the school parking lot after hours and taken speed bumps at 35-40 mph just for kicks (guys, dont buy a car that has had a teenager driving it), and 6 months later I have heard nary a squeak out of that interior, 20 years old and 201K miles on it.

Originally Posted by Ara T.

I cant believe you just said that the old diesels have cheap interiors. I think they're beautiful, and they're put together solidly too. I have taken myself and 2 of my friends around the school parking lot after hours and taken speed bumps at 35-40 mph just for kicks (guys, dont buy a car that has had a teenager driving it), and 6 months later I have heard nary a squeak out of that interior, 20 years old and 201K miles on it.

Well I suppose it matters what you are comparing it to. Compared to most cars with cloth seats etc. it is fine and no arguments with the solidity. The MB tex just doesn't it for me. Compared to the leather interior from a W140 or 92-93 W124 or any of the newer cars with wood, leather, and options they leave something to be desired. I just don't like the mb tex seats with the straight vertical grooves. Personal opinion but I hope they stick with the overstuffed leather.

[bill murrow]

I agree about the grooves in the MB tex seats. They're a pain. The comfort is not as good as leather IMO.

But...the tex will outlast leather. And if you buy the sheepskin seat covers the tex is great!

Cheers,

Bill