It's a very sad day. I've come to the conclusion that I must buy a new car--my wonderful 1986 300SDL is just no longer a smart car to have in Boston.

My question: the engine, with 268,000 miles on it, is still in incredible condition, and has been meticulously cared for. The interior is in fabulous condition. I think I'd probably make more money on it by parting it out. Any advice on the best way to do this?

Thanks,

Rachel

Short answer: probably not.

Long answer:

I considered something similar and balked when faced with the following:

- people will want big, heavy parts that will be difficult to package, and be over UPS' 70lb limit. The motor carriers I've dealt with are not 'retail' friendly.

- people will want parts that are difficult and/or messy to remove, and they'll expect reasonably clean parts.

- no one will want the hulk you're left with when all the good stuff is gone. Consider the cost of having the hulk removed from your property, particularly when the wheels are gone. And the wheels will be the first to go.

- it'll be difficult to make the case that the engine and transmission are any good on a car that can't be test driven. But maybe that's the case now.

- if your car has spent any time in the north east, it's going to be difficult to remove suspension and drivetrain components.

I don't mean to rain on your parade, so get some estimates on what you can get for the car as it is today. Talk to wrecking yards in your area, consider disposing of it on ebay, talk to your tax person about donating it, etc. Do a mental exercise of amortizing what your car cost you less what you can get for it, over the service it's provided you. I don't know that it makes sound financial sense, but you might be able to psych yourself into thinking you've already gotten your money's worth.

Now, I speak of your car like it's ready for the crusher. Your car might be in great shape and surprise you with what someone will offer you for it. Try just plain selling it first.

Good luck,
Sixto
91 300SE
... scouring the Bay Area for a white SDL and they're
throwing them away on the east coast

Just curious, is it the size of the car that has become a problem? I know those "L"s are big and not exactly a commuter car. Like my car, yours is probably better suited for the highway. How long have you been going into Boston with this car? I can imagine the "Big dig", isn't helping traffic matters right now. I would try to sell it. Granted most cars are worth more in pieces than whole, but like Sixto said, what do you do with the carcass after you have parted it out? My neighbor is looking to buy a MB diesel, but unfortunately he is looking for a W124 diesel. To him, my car is too big for his needs. So your car would definetly be too big.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Why is is it time to get rid of the car, what do you want to sell her for?

I write with tears in my eyes...
Quite simply, the repairs are going to nickel-and-dime me to death. My fabulous boyfriend has been caring for it for the past two years; he's now flight-instructing six days a week, and can't really devote the energy to it anymore.

Boston has taken its toll on the car as well: my slumlord refused to repair my horrific driveway, and it managed to crack the short down pipe (found it for $124!) on the exhaust (the rest of the exhaust is fine). Somebody dented the rear passenger door. And in a denoument to this comedy of errors, when opening the hood yesterday, one of the hinges broke, the hood fell back and knocked a neat hole in my very expensive windshield. I figure it's a sign from God.

Regardless, the tan leather interior is in really beautiful shape, and the engine will run forever. My best bet is to sell VERY cheaply to a collector--somebody who will love it, or at least be able to use it. Someday I'll have enough money and time to really do one up. Right now, it's just breaking my heart.

Please read the humor in the above post--I'm not actually having a breakdown.

I do love the car very much--it has served me well, and it has much life left in it. If you'd like a good deal on a 300SDL, here it is.

You can put an absolutely FREE ad on Yahoo classifieds. Try it!

__________________
'76 240D-Sold
'78 240D-Sold
'85 300 SD, 165K-Sold
'88 300 TE, 165K-Sold
'64 Porsche 356C Cabriolet- under restoration
'86 560SL 124K Miles-Sold
'94 320E Wagon, 74K Miles-128K Miles JUNKED
'06 E350 Wagon, 84K Miles
07 SL550, 14K Miles

http://www.classifieds2000.com and http://www.autotrader.com offer free ads, too.

Sixto
91 300SE

Am considering any and all offers for major part purchases or purchase of vehicle. Just shoot me an email. Thanks for the email I've already received on it--popular car!


As I said, engine is in phenom shape with 268k. Oil changed every 2500 miles.

I'm in Boston and occasionally Connecticut.

if there's no major rust in the structural under parts repairs of what you have decribed are a piece of cake for a MB head looking for low priced SDl , a PPG winshield installed here in OR. runs about $250...Bet you could sell whole car very quickly if you priced it right ,parting out a car is a lot of work ,I have done it one too many times....
William Rogers....

To get the best price, put it on Ebay. Thousands of people interested in MB will see it and it will cost you practically nothing. Just describe it accurately, include pictures and the bids will come in. I'd be interested in it myself, so who knows.

P E H

Thank you for all the great advice and offers. I've been away on business, so I apologize for not having responded to everyone.

I did quite a bit of research on the 86 603.961 engine, and was astounded to learn that it seems to be worth more than the entire car. The engine is up on eBay for those of you hunting.

Please feel free to drop me a line with a question about a part.

Thanks again!

If I buy the engine from Ebay, will you give the entire car with it? What is the Ebay Item number?
P E H

I've decided to sell the whole thing as a parts car. Find it (cheap!) at
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=593091634