I have a friend who's father wants to sell their '83 300TD midnight/palomino tex. The car is in fairly good shape but true mileage unknown (speedo works eratically), most records with car, either serviced at the dealer or good independent garage here. Car has typical dings and a couple of dents that could be removed with Dent Dr. There are a few surface rust areas (where paint has worn and rust has recently begun). Some oil leaks, new axles, rear suspension does not sag after sitting for several days, starts right away even after sitting all night in below zero weather, interior in fairly good shape for a car of that age. Drives great. I also talked with the mechanic that services it and he said it would be a good car to buy if I wanted to do some work on it to bring it back to excellent shape - would be a good daily driver as is.
Car was bought several years ago in Knoxville from a very good specialist of MB pre-owned cars - paid $3,000 for it. They are asking $2,000. What should I do? This would be the first MB diesel I have owned - my parents had them in the '70s and '80s.

For $2,000 I'd seriously consider it. Especially if the only rust is surface rust and there are no rust holes.

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'84 300CD Turbo 132k (Anthracite Grey) - WVO - My daily driver - Recently named coo-coo-coupe by my daughter.
'84 300D Turbo 240k (Anthracite Grey) - Garage Queen
'83 300D Turbo 220k (Orient Red) - WVO - Wifes daily driver

I'm not a certified mechanic, but I did stay at a HolidayInn Express last night.

That's right, you didn't mention anything about rust. I'd go back and take another good look at the car. Don't forget to look under the car, front to back.

Only surface rust on the rear hatch. Car spent the majority of it's life in Knoxville with almost no snow and, therefore, no salt. The jack points have absolutely no rust whatsoever. It runs very,very well. There is evidently a drain hole stopped up on the pass. rear and water runs into the rear around the hatch. Last night the carpet was frozen in that area. Anyone know where this drain hole would be and how to unstop it?

Can you show us pictures?

It does sound like a good buy for 2000$, especially with a good engine and functional rear suspension. Good colors too (though not as fast as the silver ones).

The wagons are great vehicles, and the fact that you know the mechanic whos been working on it is a bonus. If you do buy it take care of those rust spots and drain hole problem immediately. Neither of those are difficult to fix, but you want to jump on them before they become real problems.

peace,
sam

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"That f***in' biodiesel is makin' me hungry."

1982 300TD Astral Silver w/ 250k (BIO BNZ)
2001 Aprilia SR50 Corsa Red w/ 5.5k (>100 MPG)

I tell you, buying a car from a region w/o snow is a blessing.

Snow can really destroy a car's cosmetic very badly. But so is too much sun damaging the interior.

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1992 300SD, 290K miles.

If the engine and transmission are in decent shape, and it has minimal rust, I don't see how you could possibly go wrong for $2K.

Many of these wagons fetch upwards of $5K if they are in good condition.

On the one hand the asking price is marginal considering the condition of the paint, but on the other hand you don't have any room to dicker. I don'y know the market there, but in CA wagons are a hot item. When one comes up at a reasonable price, it is gone. About a month ago one came up in SF for about a grand needing work. It was gone in an hour after the ad came out.

Peter

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Auto Zentral Ltd.

Not much if any downside here. You know there are no hidden faults. The price is good enough that you can sell it on ebay or locally pretty easy for probably more than you paid if you do not like it. Engine starts well very cold and that indicates it's still probably pretty good. Worse thing is you may regret not purchasing it after it's gone, happens a lot. Sounds good enough that I would give you a finders fee if you really decided not to buy it for example.