Large range. First though, you realize that 300TD is a wagon, right?

If the body is straight, paint is glossy with no clearcoat issues, no rust under or in, no significant dents, interior is straight with no cracks or holes in the 'tex, no stains in the carpet, no cracks in the dash, everything works well (windows, locks, seats, Climate Control & vacuum pods, sunroof, radio, wipers and washers front & rear, hatch pull-down, etc., etc.), the engine starts and runs well with an original (#14) head with no cracks/leaks, SLS works properly, cruise control works, suspension is tight with good shocks/struts and all rubber/links in good condition, no steering play, good tires, good brakes with no pulsing nor pulling, all warning lights come on properly with the key and extinguish properly after starting, ... then it's in good shape and should IMO bring $4500.
None of this "in good shape for its miles / age" bullcrap, I mean in good shape.

Subtract ~ 1,000 for no A/C
Add ~ 700 for a head higher than 14 if a proper turbo head
Subtract for anything not mentioned above
Subtract for no 3rd seat
add ?? for leather (if the seat ribs run all of the way up/down and from the front to the rear of the cushions, MB-Tex and not leather)
Add for heated seats
Add for orthopedic seats
Add for cargo cover / pet-net

The only options in '87 were: leather, orthopedic seats, leather seats, rear-facing 3rd seat, pet-net/cargo cover, everything else was standard.

So if as described above, shows like a nice used car that needs no reconditioning except for the A/C, even with the 330k miles I'd expect it to be worth the $3500.

They're never as described above.

Also consider that 330,000 miles is a difficult car to sell, makes it easier to buy right as there really won't be anyone else offering. In addition, if you drive the car for a couple of years, its mileage will exceed 350,000 and so-on, making it even tougher to sell.

They are extremely nice cars to own and drive when everything works, and very reliable if maintained properly (or someone has been foolish enough to spend the rediculous amount of time and money to bring it back to proper condition.

In a Mercedes the cars were usually treated and maintained extremely well for as long as it was in the posession of the first owner. Unfortunately, the subsequent owners don't always have the same budget and the cars are sometimes less babied and fall into disrepair. Repair and maintenance records are very important, if they aren't available then you must look extremely closely and know what signs indicate meticulous maintenance, and what indicate neglect. Once a Mercedes is in trouble, it's often a bad investment to attempt to bring it back to good health, you have to do it for fun without counting your receipts.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff