I've been thinking for awhile about getting another benz, since my major repair jobs for my 300cdt are running out (I'm not sure whether that's good or bad, I think both). I like the concept of getting one of the really old Mercedes like pre late 70's and restoring it, but I'm not sure if it's actually feasible. There's one in my area sitting in someone's yard that doesn't look like it's in bad shape but doesn't look like they're too attached to it either. I don't know the year or model, I've got to contact them. Probably could pick it up cheap, they're not exactly living in a mansion.

So basically, would I be going in over my head if I bought a car this old? I mean, my 300cdt is older than I am, and considering that my dad was the PO, it really didn't take that much $$ to fix it up and even upgrade it some. I'm just afraid that it might be a whole other ballgame getting an even older one.

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"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

I don't know about your mechanical skills but after reading your public profile I think you have the right attitude. So I say go for it if the price is within your range and the repairs are within the range of your skill. You always have the great guys on this board to help you.

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1983 300-D turbo
1985 300-D turbo
1959 Harley Panhead chopper
1929 Ford coupe restored
I hang out with Boneheaddoctor at Schuman Automotive OBK#5
All liberals are mattoids but not all mattoids are liberal.

ive never gotten to use this one before! im excited to get to!!

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz

Just go into any car purchase with a clear head....take a knowledgible friend with you. and if you can both agree then go for it...

The reason for a friend is as a counterbalance to any emotional decisions you will make. Preferibly they would be a great mechanic too. There are good cars to be had....along with horrible nightmares.

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Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Seeing a particular "old car" sitting there can give you ideas! It can really help, though, to try to define your goal and then consider the best path to reach it.

If you were to have a particular car to which you had some special attachment, and were to want to return that particular car to a certain condition, well, that's one sort of goal. Depending on the circumstances, it can be a very expensive one in terms of money and/or time. Some people find such a project to be very rewarding.

If, instead, your goal were just to have some particular model of car in a certain condition, well, that's something else entirely. Even if you see one that really gets you fired up, you might be better served by seeking out a better example of that model to use as the basis for a project.

Older vs. newer isn't always so clear cut, as it depends so much on the particulars of the car. Condition, condition, condition... I would guess that for just about any model that you might consider, there would be folks here who could give you (or could refer you to a source of) excellent advice regarding what to look for, what to expect, etc.

BTW, I think there still might be an old M-B sitting out derelict in a yard not far from my house. I still haven't gotten up the gumption to knock on the door and ask them what the story is...

"Is it a mistake to buy an OLD Mercedes? "

Yes its a big mistake.. just let me know when you run across a nice 240D and I'll remove it so you wont be tempted

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Actually I was talking older than a 240D, although I'd also like to get one of those. It would be fun making it go from disgustingly slow to only slow . I swear these cars are like an addiction.....it's so much more fun to work on them than other cars. They're so open and understandable and well-built. There's nothing that you look at and say, "man, that's crap" in them. Just wish I had more money and I'd make a business out of it....

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"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

I would personally stay away anything older than a W116 or W123...

I think I am crazy for thinking about buying an older Toyota Land Cruiser, those can be even more of a money pit than old Benz's

I agree unless you are into restoration$$$$.

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Jim

If it has fintails, RUN.

Then you just let me know where it is and we'll remove it for you. Seriously though, you'd be fixing less on one of those than your newer diesel. Those are battle tanks. Wait till Diesel Dog sees this post. There is nothing that a 123 excels in over a 111 fintail, especially considering styling.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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i have owned a 61 220b, a 62 190c. a 72 220d, a 76 300d, a 79 240 d a 74 240d, and lots of 82 and 83 240s and 300s. also newer ones 124s and 126s.

anythiing older than 82 tends to be pretty rust prone. if you find a really clean one from the south or west and want to fix it up, be sure to ziebart it right away to keep it from rusting.

the older cars are not as well made as the 123s. i have owned the most 123s and for me they are the easiest to work on and the least trouble. the 61s and 62s had variuos weaknesses too such as poor suspension lubrication that can sieze up and wallow apart. but the basic mechanics were good for their day. the carbs were junk solexes, but what carbs arent junk? webers maybe. the biggest drawback is rust imho.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.