1966 Mercedes 200 D

[drstrangelove]

What do you think of this car for this price? I live near this guy and was going to spin by this morning. Don't know much about Mercedes (except my neighbor had one when I was kid and loved driving in it). Is this a too low price for a car of this vintage? Thanks.

PS I am not able to fix cars myself.

http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/car/84847250.html

[SHARK1007]

What a small world... I talked to the guy and he said it needs a clutch assembly, the engine is great, but you just can't drive it. That concerned me about the "restored to original" issue.

Also, he sent me a few other pics that show the paint job looks pretty crappy. He told me it was a euro car with real low miles.

When you look and if you're not interested, give me a call 407-383-0724, Roger

Look at the rear quarters for rust repair, I'm a little suspicious, but the price does sound right.

Good luck

R

[drstrangelove]

If the car doesn't run it's of not much use to me. Let me ask you, what do you think is a good vintage mercedes to look into buying in terms of being reliable and affordable?

Another question I have: is it hard to get manual transmission Mersedes in the States? I never see them.

[diametricalbenz]

Originally Posted by drstrangelove

If the car doesn't run it's of not much use to me. Let me ask you, what do you think is a good vintage mercedes to look into buying in terms of being reliable and affordable?

Another question I have: is it hard to get manual transmission Mersedes in the States? I never see them.

If you would like something that is diesel I would reccomend a W115 chassis 240D. The car has just enough power to keep up with traffic and there are still supplies of parts out there to keep them running. It's very simple to repair (even though I don't have to time to do it myself) and thus very little to break. I have a 4 speed manual that I drive everyday including this 100F heat with the AC on and it works great.

[nhdoc]

There is no such thing as a reliable and affordable 30+ year old Mercedes if you are dependant on others to fix things for you. I say this because even if the car is relatively reliable, the few items needing repair will likely cause most mechanics to fix them wrong being totally unfamiliar with them so you will end up paying too much to have work done that may or may not have been needed. And, once you get to pre mid '70s parts will start to get very expensive again. The advice to look for a W115 is good advice, better still is a W123 body. Diesel or gas these are fine cars but find one with a known service history and most importantly no rust!

There's a lot of "Romance" surrounding old cars that wears off fast when you are up to your elbows in grease and parts are strewn all over your garage floor. Don't get sucked into it with the idea that any of these cars are going to be nearly as reliable as a relatively modern car...even an American one. 30 years is a long time and even though they are fine cars they still are OLD cars. That's why you will see many people on these boards with multiple cars. The theory is you can keep one or two on the road at any one time...but to own one and rely upon it as a daily driver is asking for trouble IMHO.

Good luck

[leenart]

Do not buy this car, do not look at it and do not pass go!
Seriously, if you can not work on it do not buy it. No mechanic these days can work on them and those that can know that they are a sort after commodity (ie $,$$$). Just to prove it; can anybody name a reputable w111 mechanic in the North Bay (Santa Rosa CA), oh and they will be tested!
I am looking for a reputable mechanic for a 220 se coupe and am having a heck of time. I have 15 years backyard experience on these cars and all I can say is that you better have a bankroll, either to fix the screw-ups the indy did or fix the screw-ups your going to do (hint if your going to screw it up do it yourself, at least someone will learn something)
Sorry to be the pessimist here, but these cars are high dollar toys. The money you put into it has to be 'loose change'. The only break-even deal is if you work on them. I work on them and in 10 months my $5000 car has now cost me another 6,5000 and I am not done. But then I knew that before I started.
Take the car if you want an education, as for me I wouldn't trade the car or the money I dropped on anything else. I started getting an education and ended up a fanatical fan
leonard

[pj67coll]

I'd love to buy that fintail. But as I posted elsewhere. If it's restored to orginal condition it should not have a twin exhaust on it.

- Peter.

[drstrangelove]

Your replys were all very helpful. Thank you. I'm starting to hear a general theme on all the Vintage car forums I post on: Getting an old car requires working on it. I just don't have the confidence that I can fix a car.

Maybe it's time for me to start looking at getting a "modern classic." A car that comes to mind is a VW GTI which I hear are a lot of fun to drive and has clubs and meet-up groups associated with it. Another car is an early 90's Saab 900. My parents had a few of these and I learned to drive on it.

But it's sad: when I drive down the road, I don't see any cars that appeal to me that were made after 1985. All the style was just sucked out of cars in the last 25 yrs. It's really depressing.

[pj67coll]

I'm starting to think the same way as you strangelove, about post 85' cars. If you have another car as a daily driver then getting an old classic to fix up, without hassle and over time, it could well be feasible. That's what I'm going to try and do some day soon I hope.

- Peter.

[300SDog]

3 years ago i bought '79 240D for $500 on ebay..... It's the only car I own and driven dailly. Racked up about 70k miles so far without much trouble. New tires, muffler, brake master cylinder, alternator and water pump is about all. Also replaced the crummy plastic MB radiator with superior metal one from Mitsubishi.

Dunno what the big deal is with driving cars more than 25 yrs old, i really dont.

All my life I've been owning and driving 20+ yr old MB's - totally relying on em. These are NOT fragile cars and they dont require alot of weird unexpected maintenance. Next purchase will probably be pre-73 w115 220D.

[drstrangelove]

I'm going to give it a chance. I was reading a manual (for an MG midget) and I should be able to preform some of the simpler maintanance operations.

BTW I saw an awsome looking 280 SE parked on the streets of Manhattan yesterday. A mercedes is near the top of my list of classic cars I'd like to own.

Thanks for all the info and opinions.

David

[sinisa]

for MercedesBenz 1973 pictures at
http://www.mercedes.seoski-turizam.net



Im selling it for 1800 Eu (car is in Croatia registred and used every day)
there are more of these and even older MB car that can be found at local newspaper ads...

[Carrie_Bacon]

Hi guys,
I happened to read this thread and would like to mention that we are going to start selling off a few of our cars... We have WAY too many! We'll be selling our '72 220d; our '75 300d with a light deer tap and our '83 240d. The 220d and 240d are in great condition and are stick shift (the 300d is auto). Now for the bad part - I don't have any pics, yet! Will ask hubby to take some. We're in Connecticut, btw...
Carrie

[diametricalbenz]

Carrie, when you get those pictures you'll probably want to post them in the CARS section, they'll likely get more exposure there than on this thread which will eventually get buried.

[Carrie_Bacon]

Thanx! Will do...
Carrie