Should I buy it?
 

Good morning...
I've made contact with a private party that is selling his 1979 300D. We've talked on the phone, he emailed me a 1000 pictures, and he's been very honest as to whats good and bad with his car. He's asking about $3000 for what I can tell is a very well taken care of MB. My major hold back is due to 2 items which I suppose could be major $$$. First, the heat isnt working for some reason or another. He states that the blower is working but no heat. Winter is soon here, and heat is a must. I've glanced at the post here to see what the possible causes might be, but who knows till you dig into it. Second, the power brakes initially grab as though the power brakes are working and then in order to stop, the pedal is very hard to push.
I really like this 300D but perhaps the 2 items I've mentioned should steer me to keep looking...any thoughts on this???
Maybe I should just do it.
Oh yeah, it has less than150,000 miles.
Thanks in advance.
:)

$3000 is TOP dollar for a '79 300D!

I'd pass because of the heater (uses a very untrustworthy Automatic Climate Control servo) and brake problems. Don't trust the odometer. Common fault of the odo's on Benz's causes them to strip the gears/shaft when they roll over 99999.

It is a "grandma" car. Not exactly "sporty" looking. Good solid ride but not for the price.

$1500 maybe!

Heatar core, brake system nightmares....COSTLY!

These two items alone, could/would cost easily between $1,500 to $3,000 to repair at a Mercedes-Benz dealer.

Tell him you'll give him $500 tops, for the car.

Or just don't buy a JUNK Mercedes-Benz. --Buy one that has no costly issues, right-off-the-reel..

There's manual bypass kit available for auto climate control, costs less than $100 from nuts to soup. You will lose AC control but gain heat - just installed the kit on my 116. Brake servo will be much more expensive repair. And 1979 300D is NOT the most desirable of 123 series. Later turbo models are more highly prized and so is the 4-spd 240D.

Meanwhile Winter months are buying season for diesels with millions of bargains. $3000 is high dollar figure even in Springtime. Do you need a car immediately?? If not then I'd spend couple months looking. How about 300TD square-window station wagon? They can be found at/near same price, considered highly desirable Classic MB's. Otherwise for this kinda money gimme a 108 sedan.

A lot of money, well maybe not.....
 

.....If this car is a very nice car with these two noted exceptions. Lots of forum members severely undervalue our babies.

The servo unit is available as an electronic replacement, and is supposed to eliminate the core problem.

Brake booster is supect on the brakes, readily availible used, don't often fail, thus pretty cheap.

Downside on this car is the interior is early style, hard to find replacements, no turbo, older glow system...... otherwise, all the wonderful attributes of a diesel W123.

If you are at all handy, you could fix these two problems for less than $800.

I'd be much more concerned with rust, engine/trans and cosmetics.

Jim

So, what's with the name... got an Airstream?
 

Just curious......

The search continues...
 

Thanks for all the advice. After stewing over this one for some time now I think I may continue the search. I think I got really hung up on this one since it was my color of choice (stupid reason). The car was clean and well maintained. Unfortunately the car is 300 miles away so I don't want to risk buying it from just pictures and words.
As for being handy I do consider myself that. However, free time is one thing I seem to lack. I'm sure there's another out there.
Thanks again for all the help.
:rolleyes:

Oh yes...I do have Airstreams A 1955 & 1959 both restored to original.

Cool.....
 

My 'Stream is a '72 27 ft Overlander. Clean original, factory aluminum wheels, double bed, rear bath.

The Mercedes 240D of trailers.... Well engineered, highest quality, no fluff you don't need (or that adds weight).

Jim

Ok, It's Off-topic but...
 

Couldn't help it. I also have a '72 Overlander; Twin center, rear bath in Baltimore. I wonder how many Benz owners also own Airstreams. I recently saw a German MB club posting of a 280 pulling a "caravan."

Maybe we could take a poll.

I have a 97 35' wide body excella. I always wanted one, had two avions before it, and now with the nest empty the Mrs let me get this one. It has the rear queen. Its like having a suite at the Holiday Inn.

But it is really too big and we are looking to sell it off and getting a smaller one.

Love them though....the mb of trailers.

Tom W