Good Advice - Pre-Purchase Inspection - '81 300SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rltorregrossa · #1 11-04-2005, 09:30 PM

Took the advice, repeated many times in many threads on this board, to get a Pre-Purchase Insepection. Words of wisdom, especially for those of us who are mechanically ignorant. Valley Motors in Salem, OR did the inspection. Came very close to getting burned on this one.

Oil leaking from Turbo
Oil leaking from crankshaft seal
Oil leaking from cv boot
Oil leaking from rear diff
Door locks don't work (vacumn activated?)
Mirrors don't work

You can find the ad for the car here http://portland.craigslist.org/car/107718407.html

I was about to plunk down $5600. I figure the cost to repair the stuff listed above would amount to at least $3k - probably more.

rltorregrossa · #2 11-04-2005, 10:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col.Klink

Don't really understand his interpretation on the Mielage but the things you found wrong are not really that bad .Chances are that the oil leaks are normal seepages and need to be cleaned and then checked unless they drip out on the ground while idling...lol. THe car may can be bought for less if you tell the seller about these probs.????

Aren't these things that must be fixed? And sooner rather than later? I assume that these are terminal problems that will, left alone, will ruin the car beyond repair.

rltorregrossa · #3 11-04-2005, 11:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Col.Klink

On the Contrary those are to me Minor or even inisignificant probs unless they are just pouring out and the Vac locks are a mere nuisance to me anyway I sometimes put electric remote entry on those The axel boot is a common prob and the leaks at the turbo are prob breather mount related ,and as for the Crank Seal ;a new car dealer will find one leaking on one you bought off the Showroom Floor the day before. Need to determine how bad and if the leaks are not just seepage.... If the car is straight and the lines are good ,no Rust , good interior ,no Cracks in Dash ,starts , shifts right ,and runs good with the A/c working then like I said you have fuel to Dicker with on those probs your shop found for you .

Ok.... now you got me thinking. I don't know anything about this dealership who did the inspection, just picked them out of the phone book. Their comment was "this car looks like it hasn't been maintained." Of course the seller claims to have a stack of records that contradict that statement. I suppose its alway going to be a gamble when you buy one of these.

Wonder how much I should talk him down?

POS · #4 11-05-2005, 12:20 AM

I also own an '04 Ford F250 diesel with 64k miles on it - there's oil and soot along the turbo intakes and always has been. Very common with Fords and is not a detriment.

rltorregrossa · #5 11-05-2005, 10:34 AM

Ok. I'm gonng make the road trip down to Portland see this one for myself. Any last minute advice would be much appreciated.

Also, forgot to mention that the transmission pan was leaking as well. Basically, it sounds like many of the drive train components are all leaking. I just don't know how much risk (or how many dollars) to attach to that knowledge. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Leaning towards a counter-offer for less $.

JimmyL · #6 11-05-2005, 11:25 AM

I don't think an '81 300SD in near perfect condition would be worth $5600 bucks. If you're intrigued, offer quite a bit less. (IMHO)

Quote:

Originally Posted by rltorregrossa

Ok. I'm gonng make the road trip down to Portland see this one for myself. Any last minute advice would be much appreciated.

Also, forgot to mention that the transmission pan was leaking as well. Basically, it sounds like many of the drive train components are all leaking. I just don't know how much risk (or how many dollars) to attach to that knowledge. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Leaning towards a counter-offer for less $.

rltorregrossa · #7 11-05-2005, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I don't think an '81 300SD in near perfect condition would be worth $5600 bucks. If you're intrigued, offer quite a bit less. (IMHO)

Yep. Seems like eBay & craigslist have inflated the value of these things quite a bit. Especially with the allure of going to bio fuels. Thanks for the feedback, much appreciated.

t walgamuth · #8 11-05-2005, 11:36 AM

a three thousand something car. imho.

tom w

rltorregrossa · #9 11-05-2005, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

a three thousand something car. imho.

tom w

Yep, that sounds about right. A lot people are asking pretty high prices for this model these days. Example:

http://seattle.craigslist.org/car/106392212.html

bills · #10 11-05-2005, 12:37 PM

I would say most all old engines seep or leak somewhat, but if there is no drips or puddle under the car where it is parked overnight, it should not be too bad a problem. But I would worry more about a crank seal than a oil or trans pan seal, however.

rltorregrossa · #11 11-05-2005, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bills

I would say most all old engines seep or leak somewhat, but if there is no drips or puddle under the car where it is parked overnight, it should not be too bad a problem. But I would worry more about a crank seal than a oil or trans pan seal, however.

Yep - though my '72 108 4.5 crank seal leaks. Very slowly. But it does go between oil changes without adding oil.

braverichard · #12 11-05-2005, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rltorregrossa

Took the advice, repeated many times in many threads on this board, to get a Pre-Purchase Insepection. Words of wisdom, especially for those of us who are mechanically ignorant. Valley Motors in Salem, OR did the inspection. Came very close to getting burned on this one.

A very wise action you'll never regret. Thanks for following the advice.

Now, many people are saying those aren't serious issues. Perhaps you can ask the same shop that performed the PPI to give you estimates for those repairs and take them in your hand as you go to negotiate the purchase price for the car. The presence of abundant leaks suggests to me that the car sat idle for quite a while - something that would partially explain its low-for-its-age mileage (if true).

rltorregrossa · #13 11-05-2005, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by braverichard

A very wise action you'll never regret. Thanks for following the advice.

Now, many people are saying those aren't serious issues. Perhaps you can ask the same shop that performed the PPI to give you estimates for those repairs and take them in your hand as you go to negotiate the purchase price for the car. The presence of abundant leaks suggests to me that the car sat idle for quite a while - something that would partially explain its low-for-its-age mileage (if true).

As a matter of fact, I did ask that very question

Replace crank seal - $1800
Replace cv boot & components 0 $800
Replace rear diff - $800

Mentioned above, I counter-offered with $3500. Asking price was $5600. We'll find out in a matter of hours.

RobTheMod · #14 11-05-2005, 04:02 PM

Not a terribly exact answer, but these cars do leak. My SD has an oil-tight diff and tranny, but the engine leaks enough that I can't pinpoint the locales. It doesn't leave a big puddle when parked or anything, but the motor is dirty with oil. This is the case with almost every 617 turbo I've seen. I don't believe a 300SD is worth $5600 (if it truly is, I think I just found my house down payment, J/k) but it does look like a decent example. The door locks/mirrors are a mere annoyance, IMO. Mine work, but I don't think I'd even bother fixing those should they give up the ghost.

rltorregrossa · #15 11-05-2005, 04:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RobTheMod

Not a terribly exact answer, but these cars do leak. My SD has an oil-tight diff and tranny, but the engine leaks enough that I can't pinpoint the locales. It doesn't leave a big puddle when parked or anything, but the motor is dirty with oil. This is the case with almost every 617 turbo I've seen. I don't believe a 300SD is worth $5600 (if it truly is, I think I just found my house down payment, J/k) but it does look like a decent example. The door locks/mirrors are a mere annoyance, IMO. Mine work, but I don't think I'd even bother fixing those should they give up the ghost.

What do you think is a fair price?