what to do w/ 83 300SD gift

[gilwave]

I was gifted a 1983 300SD with 198,000 miles on it by a relative.

White w/ blue leather interior, cracks in dashboard vinyl and woodgrain. Car is in decent mechanical shape - runs great when I can get it strated, rides nice. Interior is so-so and exterior has some rust around wheel wells and base of trunk.

The last one I saw sell on eBay (Item number: 4526712426) sold for $1175 and was in better condition. The question is - what do I do with this car? Spend some money fixing it up and driving it for another 60,000 to 75,000 miles, sell it on eBay, or give it back to my relative and let him deal with it?

I have no experience with Mercedes Benz other than admiring them from afar. Any insight you could provide would be appreciated.

-g

[boneheaddoctor]

Originally Posted by gilwave

I was gifted a 1983 300SD with 198,000 miles on it by a relative.

White w/ blue leather interior, cracks in dashboard vinyl and woodgrain. Car is in decent mechanical shape - runs great when I can get it strated, rides nice. Interior is so-so and exterior has some rust around wheel wells and base of trunk.

The last one I saw sell on eBay (Item number: 4526712426) sold for $1175 and was in better condition. The question is - what do I do with this car? Spend some money fixing it up and driving it for another 60,000 to 75,000 miles, sell it on eBay, or give it back to my relative and let him deal with it?

I have no experience with Mercedes Benz other than admiring them from afar. Any insight you could provide would be appreciated.

-g

You could donate it to me. It would be appreciated and treated well.

[1985 300SD Sady]

I would definatly keep it... these are great cars, just look at this forum!

Drive it, love it, and when it breaks fix it with our help

[rwthomas1]

If you are a decent DIY'er and so inclined to work on the car then I would say keep it. Chances are that it will need many little things and maybe some big things repaired/replaced and it will eat your lunch if you pay to have it done. If you do the work yourself with advice from the board then it will be much cheaper to operate. One of the issues is rust you mentioned. What you can see is sometimes the tip of the iceberg. The car may not be worth your time so look at it carefully or have someone experienced in MB's look at it. You may get another 100K out of it or you may need to ditch it quick. Investigate and get back to us. RT

[gilwave]

Originally Posted by rwthomas1

Investigate and get back to us. RT

Good advice, thanks. I found a decent MB mechanic locally, will have him look it over tomorrow. I am definatley not a DIY person.

Will keep you posted. Thanks again.

-gil

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by gilwave

Good advice, thanks. I found a decent MB mechanic locally, will have him look it over tomorrow. I am definatley not a DIY person.

With 200K on the clock, and being an admitted non DIY individual, I strongly discourage you from keeping this vehicle.

They typically consume $2K-$3K in parts the first year due to 20 years of inattention to major suspension and other repairs.

The mechanic may find $1K today, but, there will be more to come tomorrow.

At that age they must become a labor of love otherwise they make no economic sense.

[gilwave]

Okay, so I made an appointment with a good local German mechanic to give my 300SD a once over before I put it on eBay.

On the way to the shop, the drive drain connection to the transmission clunked and came loose.

Towed it to the garage, where it now sits. Mechanic was able to connect the drive train again temporarily.

His advise was to sell it as a parts car. The engine and trans are good, interior decent for a 22 year old car, new window switches and recent brakes and tires.

When the snow clears a bit (I'm in North Jersey) I will photograph her and post here and on eBay - any one interested before that feel free to PM me.

-gil

[gilwave]

So we fixed the drive shaft/transmission link, everything is good to go.

I posted it on eBay today with pictures and details, low reserve:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4537715158

-gil

[83-240D]

Originally Posted by gilwave

I was gifted a 1983 300SD with 198,000 miles on it by a relative.

White w/ blue leather interior, cracks in dashboard vinyl and woodgrain. Car is in decent mechanical shape - runs great when I can get it strated, rides nice. Interior is so-so and exterior has some rust around wheel wells and base of trunk.

The last one I saw sell on eBay (Item number: 4526712426) sold for $1175 and was in better condition. The question is - what do I do with this car? Spend some money fixing it up and driving it for another 60,000 to 75,000 miles, sell it on eBay, or give it back to my relative and let him deal with it?

I have no experience with Mercedes Benz other than admiring them from afar. Any insight you could provide would be appreciated.

-g

there is a guy on the greasecar forum looking for a benz right now. i saw the post a while ago. if you want to sell it contact him. he is in nj also.

Are all white cars more prone to rust? Looks like road salt is stealing this one away!

[gilwave]

Originally Posted by BusyBenz

Are all white cars more prone to rust? Looks like road salt is stealing this one away!

Good question - it would seem that way. I listed a 1988 420 for a friend of mine, it is white and has rust too (see http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6331&item=4537605181&rd=1)

Any ideas as to why?

Originally Posted by gilwave

Good question - it would seem that way. I listed a 1988 420 for a friend of mine, it is white and has rust too (see http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6331&item=4537605181&rd=1)

Any ideas as to why?

Theory: White cars sheet metal never heats up (sun light) to evaporate moisture, but instead lingers longer, thus giving more time to corrode! ..BB

[Dance'w'Diesels]

Hmm I wonder why there are so many rust spots under the hood?