Ok, I just sent the email and asked about rust, body seals, and if he thought the car would be agood for a long distance drive. Are the auto trannies on these problem areas at all, or just slow? I also explained to him that I am in IN, but know someone in the area who would be willing to check out the car. Auto, if I drove out there, I definitely owe you a nice dinner...Maybe you'd let me see your SL collection?
Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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That one in Tennessee looks like the best one you've looked at so far. Mark has the right idea, road trip. However, heed DieselDog's warning, anyone who would put a hideous mirror like that on a fintail may have botched the head up without knowing it.

A couple months ago after my friend bumper carred his girlfriends 2000 Passat, he was in the market for a car. He saw a '63 fintail on craigslist very much like mine except US spec and auto trans asking $2000. The paint was faded on it but that isn't much considering what Grezmonkey did to his 111. He said it purred and shifted like a dream and offered the guy $1400. Seller said that wasn't out of the question but my friend was still looking and ended up with an '87 325i coupe. He was flabbergasted when I put his entire drumset in the trunk of my fintail and kicked himself for not buying the fintail. Though I think the Beamer fits his temperment better.

Autozen has good advice, California is a buyers market for used cars. No one wants an old car out here, us notwithstanding.

By the way, I should ask the guy I bought the 300E and 280SEL from. He has 11 Benz's, multiple 108's, 111's and 123's. He even had to rent a space to store some of them. I think he has 4 finbody's and may be looking to trim his fleet. Although when I bought the 300E, he said he couldn't hold on to the money and bought a cream puff 123. He makes me feel better about having 4 cars, a bad influence though.

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63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

Also, have you driven a fintail ever? The 4 speeds are very slow off the line. 1st gear is so small the engine is screaming by the time you get to 15mph. (Damn 300E is the same way)
My friend said the auto tranny finny took off well. I have not driven one to compare. . .

__________________
63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

I drove a 230S auto once. It was over the summer. It had been sitting and would hardly stay running. It was slow, but it's carbs were so far out of wack it was disgusting. I would have it floored and it MIGHT take off from idle, or it would just stall. Then my friend would have to get out and cup his hand over the carb so I could maybe get it started again.
Thanks
David

P.S.
I got a response, he said there was some rust on the hood and small spots around the car, but is a small problem. I'm already starting to get pessimistic with this one. Now if it had the 4 spd. on the column...Isn't that one of the prettiest colors though?

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Hey 'want 71 se....'

San francisco chronicle has a 1962 220 SE listed $3K or best offer.

Brown color 'needs tune up' 415-282-6446

FYI


www.sfgate.com

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
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1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

unkl, 3k in CA is well out of my price range. The 2k obo might be good if I can get it under $1500 or so.
Thanks
David

__________________
_____________________________________________

2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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If Autozen is correct, this car may be way overpriced. I don't know how long it has been listed. I just saw it today by coincidence and remembered your post.

Well, can't lose anything calling for info.

I'd offer to check it out but I'm fairly busy this week so fast action may not happen.

But that is not a no.

Whatever.


edit:

by the way I didn't see the other listed car

1962 220S "daily driver, nr perfect 99K miles $3600 OBO 707-9445657

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

I don't think auto's are that slow. I asked my friend today about the one he test drove. He said it started in 1st and had good pick-up off the line. Wish I could test drive one.

__________________
63 220S W111
76 300D W115
2013 VW JSW TDI M6

previously-
73 280 SEL 4.5
86 300E 5 speed
2010 VW Jetta TDI M6

unkl, thank you for your kind offer. However, I'm going to first see what happens with this ebay car. He replied and wants to know my name and phone number so we can talk. Hopefully I can get a better understanding of the car that way. I still wished it had a 4spd on the column, but that's not necessarily mandatory for me, I just think it would be neat to drive. BTW, has anybody here converted one? I assume they have different driveshafts, pedal assemblies, and of course all the shift linkage would be a bear. I guess I'd just stay auto...for now at least.

__________________
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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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on the chrome bumpers...

Probably just dead chrome. Not to bad, Im sure youd need to rechrome any 30 some odd year old bumper regardless.

Keep the mechanical FI. Id say between buying a new, reliable motor thats probably been rebuilt or keeping the stock keep stock! More desirable motor, and not to mention that bosch FI is SO simple and efficient.