Change in the wind, a downgrade?

[MBDFahrer]

Well everyone, time to break my silence, after a long term of school things are finally slowing down. I brought up the idea of selling my 87 300D to my mechanic. Today, he took it for a drive and said "when do you want me to pay you?"

I find it suprising that he reacted so fast that I don't even have a car to replace it with yet. I found a 87 190D 2.5 in the recycler for $800.

Here's the ad,
"1987 MERCEDES-BENZ 190D Silver color, needs work, transmission is failing, needs an a/c compressor and new suspension. Gray color interior, Upholstery ok, over 300K miles. It was in an accident on driver side but had the door fixed the best possible way. No radio or speakers. Paint ok still glossy, chrome rims."


My other choices were a W123 300D Turbo (would probably do a manual tranny swap one day), or a BMW E30 3 series.

What do you guys think I should do?

[Brian Carlton]

The question is a bit academic because we don't have any idea of the condition of any of these vehicles with the exception of the 190.

In discussion of the 190, I have only this one bit of advice for you:

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz.

[BobK]

Find a decent 123. I don't think you can go much wrong with one in good shape. Try to find one that has been maintained by dealer with all records, of course.
BMW:The Ultimate Repair Machine. Near the end of his lease, friend was spending more in shop charges each month than lease payments. Then his car and his wife's (both had BMW), both had transmission failures. They had to park one. Even with their high salaries (both made big $$$) they could not afford to fix both in one month. I think he drives a Toyota now.

[DieselJim]

Bob is right an early 80's 123 or 126 diesel are the best cars. Probably since you like it a little sportier the 123 is right. Mid-80's mercedes diesels just don't have a good rep. I am surprised that one has lasted 300K.

With the crap detroit puts out these days I am thinking about a Japanese car since my wife seems pretty dead set against a Euro car. I think if you are looking for a conventional car it is pretty hard to go wrong with a Toyota or if you want to pay more for a nicer Toyota buy a Lexus. An occasional expensive repair is better than a money siphon.

[speedy300Dturbo]

Originally Posted by DieselJim

Mid-80's mercedes diesels just don't have a good rep. I am surprised that one has lasted 300K.

Oh boy...

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by DieselJim

Mid-80's mercedes diesels just don't have a good rep. I am surprised that one has lasted 300K.

Which one's are you speaking about? W-124's??? W-126?? W-201??

I've got two W126's, and I certainly won't be surprised to see them go 300K.

[DieselJim]

I am referring to the post 85 diesels that are not the old 4 and 5 cylinders with the iron head. While they are not bad cars they do not have the reputation as having a long as average life as the 123 & 126's of 85 and before. Obviously there are exceptions. I see some late 80's and early 90's rod benders that have a lot of miles. I am not a mercedes diesel expert yet but that is what my research has shown. When the 606 came out Mercedes had a great engine again but the rest of the car was to gadgety.

[Ganaraska]

"There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz"

I have to take issue with this. In my experience (going back to 1972) Mercedes parts are no more expensive than similar parts for American cars, you don't need as many of them, and the cars are substantial enough and well made enough that they are relatively easy to fix.

As I am my own mechanic, excessive labor rates don't bother me.

If you doubt what I am saying go out and buy a mid 80's Cadillac, Lincoln or even a Ford or Pontiac with over 150,000 miles on it and try to restore it and drive it as everyday transportation. Within a week you will run screaming back to the arms of your Mercedes.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by Ganaraska

"There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz"

I have to take issue with this. In my experience (going back to 1972) Mercedes parts are no more expensive than similar parts for American cars, you don't need as many of them, and the cars are substantial enough and well made enough that they are relatively easy to fix.

The statement is made for those people who consider the purchase of a $1500. vehicle that has very little maintenance done to it over the past 10 years. It is to be contrasted with the purchase of the exact same model vehicle at a price of $3500. where there is evidence of maintenance and care to the body and the mechanicals.

At first glance, the lower priced vehicle seems attractive because the mindset of the do-it-yourself mechanic is that he can fix everything that is wrong with it.

When all of the failed components are finally replaced, the individual has expended far more than $2000. in parts.

In this scenario, the logic holds. Nobody was comparing a cheap Mercedes-Benz to an old Cadillac.

[whunter]

Originally Posted by jmak124

Well everyone, time to break my silence, after a long term of school things are finally slowing down. I brought up the idea of selling my 87 300D to my mechanic. Today, he took it for a drive and said "when do you want me to pay you?"

Wrong reaction...
Did you sell already?
He knows how cheap it will be to fix the current problem, or he would not be willing to buy it...

Post your repair costs, this sounds very fishy to me.

[MBDFahrer]

Nope, I still have it, I just told him that i might be selling it, and no repairs have been done yet.

[fahrgewehr2]

You are nuts to buy a $700 Mercedes. If you are working with a $1,000 budget, an MB should not even be on your list. The only thing that amount of money will buy you in MB world is a parts car. If you want a Mercedes, do it right and buy one that performs to spec. That means a tight suspension, strong motor, and a nice interior and good paint. Anything less and you don't get the real MB experience, but rather a crappy car that looks expensive.

What's the deal with the other cars you own?

[MBDFahrer]

i've developed my habit from my dad . They're all kinda shady. However, his 116 was good when he bought it in 1996 in pristine condition for $2000 at the time (fully maintained but only with partial records). Now its been degraded quite a bit over the years

[Hatterasguy]

Why don't you get rid of a few cars? If money is a concern you shouldn't have more then 1 car.

I would sell three and put the money from those into your nicest one. Then take the $1k you were going to spend on a 5th car and put it into a 5 year CD or mutual fund.

Your insurance, fuel, and maintaince costs will be reduced freeing up money for other things.