Why Not $10,000 for a '80-'85 300TD Wagon? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

krs · #1 03-18-2006, 08:51 PM

For simplicity, milage, comfort, and quality I've been looking for one of the above cars. I've decided that I want a nice one with good expectation of a fairly trouble-free car for reliable transportation.

At first I believed that $3000. or so would be enough but I've seen several cars command a premium and have pretty much accepted that for a good one $10K may be required. They seem to be high on the list of desirables for the people interested in conversions and biodiesel operation. Perhaps the additional room in back is needed to carry all of the tanks and paraphenalia of a greasecar?

I'm pretty new to the MB game though not to diesl power and wonder if I've just overreacted to the ebay presentations. You tell me.

Is it really necessary to pay so much for an old pig-in-a-poke? If not, someone prove it - sell me your car. (JK!)

I'm in southern Washington state, about 40 miles north of Portland, OR.

Tom Valdriz · #2 03-18-2006, 08:57 PM

Sadly, alot of wagons are going for the upper limits near or at 10k.

You are right about pig-in-the-poke. If you are dropping serious money
get a pre-purchase inspection by a good Mercedes mechanic.

Personally, I would not pay that kind of money unless it was the original
owner with very well-documented service...

Tom

dieseldiehard · #3 03-18-2006, 09:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by krs

For simplicity, milage, and quality I've been looking for one of the above cars. I've decided that I want a nice one with good expectation of a fairly troublefree car for reliable transportation.

At first I believed that $3000. or so would be enough but I've seen several cars command a premium and have pretty much accepted that for a good one $10K may be required. They seem to be high on the list of desirables for the people interested in conversions and biodiesel operation. Perhaps the additional room in back is needed to carry all of the tanks and paraphenalia of a greasecar?

I'm pretty new to the MB game though not to diesl power and wonder if I've just overreacted to the ebay presentations. You tell me.

Is it really necessary to pay so much for an old pig-in-a-poke? If not, someone prove it - sell me your car. (JK!)

I'm in southern Washington state, about 40 miles north of Portland, OR.

Here you are! BO over $10,000 http://www.craigslist.org/sfc/car/143016586.html

Randall Hansen · #4 03-18-2006, 09:55 PM

I spent a long time doing the same search from Portland. I wanted to spend $10,000 over the first two years, including purchase and all maintenance. My research and experience suggests that it's possible, but it will take you a while to find the right car.

After about three months I found a one-owner 1984 300TD in Seattle. I called 30 minutes after it had been posted to Craig's list and bought a train ticket for the next day while I was on the phone with the seller. He got dozens of calls. I drove it home for $6,500.

In all the time I looked, it was the cheapest 123 diesel wagon in decent shape that I saw. It has lots of little cosmetic issues, and we've spent about $1,500 on various things (front end, freon charge, etc) in the last 3 months. The engine and transmission are in great shape and there's no rust -- pretty much everything else you can fix yourself.

So ... keep looking. And for god's sake yes, make sure you get it inspected. Unless you really know your ***** you can get taken, especially in this market with the prices so insane.

Biodiesel300TD · #5 03-18-2006, 10:16 PM

To get a beautiful body and an engine and tranny worth bragging about you are going to have to spend upward of 10K, especially in the PNW. If you are patient you can find a good deal on one. I have a wagon, and my fincee and I are a one car family. I cannot imagine having a sedan not at this point anyway, the dog loves the space. Sedans are great cars too, probably a little more problem free with the whole rear self leveling system. But the wagons are a sweet cars.

I was able to find my wagon in Portland for $3400, but I have put around $1500 into it getting the vac system all sealed up, and all kinds of other parts here and there too many to remember off hand. But mine has it's flaws, the cracked dash, the big scratch near the driver's front wheel well. I haven't even dived into the AC yet. The belt was gone when I bought the car so who knows if the compressor works.

lietuviai · #6 03-18-2006, 10:20 PM

It's not worth it. Don't get caught up in the craziness. $10K for a car that's not going to be anymore reliable than a used Japanese car, you'll pay a premium for fuel and the car won't get good fuel economy.

bgkast · #7 03-18-2006, 10:39 PM

If you have the $$, why not. I say go for it. If you keep your eye out for awhile you can probably find a better deal though.

Mister Byrnzoil · #8 03-18-2006, 10:41 PM

Its worth getting a Kali (rust free) body... engines and transmissions can be changed, but rust-bucket is forever... I'd be looking for a a clean body and an effed-up drivetrain (preferably a dead automatic tranny, so I could replace it w/ a manual tranny)

Have you figgered out weather you want a turbo or NA?

Maroon 300D · #9 03-19-2006, 12:00 AM

$10K seems outrageous. If you buy a 20-year-old car it will have problems, that's the one thing you can count on.

If I were you I would try and find one outside of the PNW. Old MB deisels seem to command a premium here as people are more interested in alternative fuels than in other parts of the US.

The TD's are very cool, though, and sought after to a degree where it's likely to hold its value.

Good luck.

Hit Man X · #10 03-19-2006, 12:34 AM

You can pick up under 100K mi 740iLs here (98-99s) for $8500 if you shop... sure they have maintaince too but BMWs aren't that hardcore to work on.

SatRoc · #11 03-19-2006, 01:04 AM

Of all my cars, I find that I drive the 300TD much more often than any of the others. They're great cars. I bought this one 13 years ago for $7,000 and truly believe that it's been worth it. Next month she goes up on jack-stands so that I can tighten everything up, fix some leaks, adjust the valves, fix the vacumn system and a few other small things. $10K sounds to high when Kelley Blue Book says that an "excellent" car is worth $6,200. Good luck with your search!

Addicted · #12 03-19-2006, 01:10 AM

I live in Portland and just got lucky.

My first car I bought I got sorta taken on $500 dollar junkyard special (still not running

)

But after messing around with another car I got for $400 (had a lot of work to do....Thanks to Brandon314159 I got it done...is my almost perfect baby) But worth the money I saved.

Ok to the reason I'm posting. I was looking for a crankshaft for my 240D and while talking to a guy my dad works with in Eugene it came up. He said he had a freind with a old Mercedes Diesel that he was going to part out. Didn't know anything about it other than that. The guy lived about 5 miles down the road (cheshire) so after work that day we took a drive.

When I came up the the drive I couldn't beleive it. It was a black 83 300TDT. It had black interior but needed some major loving. He bought it for his son's coupe for the seats (interior upholstery is almost perfect) but realized after buying it they didn't fold forward. I looked it over and it looked harsh but nothing that a little love couldn't take care of. He said it needed a new turbo and to get it done was going to cost 1200 so he just let it sit. It had been sitting around 4 years.

I thought the guy was going to ask around 2000 or more becuase the market is so crazy around Portland. He said $300. Even though I already had to many projects I couldn't pass it up.

Besides the turbo (again thanks to Brandon having an extra) and a tie rod end, a radiator we later found to be boogered, one tail light, and rebuilt front brakes, in theory it needed nothing..even though it got a lot more. There are a lot of filters on these cars

. But what was going to be a parts car is now an awesome running car. Even though it will take a lot of work on my part I'm hoping by the time I'm done (new paint job, all new tires, and parts here and there I will have under 1500 in it. That is my goal (as my funds are pretty much dry already

.

If I can find a dash for the car it will be almost perfect and that is a lot less than 10K and I will know every little quirk about the car. Besides I like the cars becuase they are fun to work on. If you want a fun car to drive get a 115. The wagon handles like crap on a poop stick, but it will be useful to haul stuff in, gets way better milage, and a fun one to convert to WVO.

There is a HOOPTY

hahaha for 300 on CL right now. I noticed it needs a rear window and a lot of other goodies but that may be a good place to start.

Randall Hansen · #13 03-19-2006, 01:21 AM

You don't buy one of these cars because it's an investment. The only true investment cars are so rare that it would be insane to drive one.

I bought my 300TD because I was sick of supporting oil companies and wanted to run biodiesel, and a good W123 wagon is the best diesel available under $10k. It runs beautifully, will last forever, is safe, and is easy to work on. I might rather have a W124 wagon with air bags, but I can't afford one. Other than that this is the perfect car.

Sure, $10,000 will get you a newer, more reliable, cheaper to maintain Japanese car. And you'll continue sending money to Iran, Saudi Arabia, and Exxon. Does my not buying a few gallons of gas from them make any difference to the world? No. But it makes a difference to me.

I make no moral judgements about other people. This is my choice, and I'm happy with it. Plus, my ride kicks ass

bgkast · #14 03-19-2006, 03:37 AM

Here you go...send me the change!

http://seattle.craigslist.org/car/143184170.html

jaded13640 · #15 03-19-2006, 04:20 AM

I'll be posting a new thread about it but I thought it would be appropriate to mention it here first. I realize mine isn't a turbo and isn't a wagon. My frame is solid but there is a bit of body rust. Especially the right front door.

But $10,000 for an 80 to 85 wagon? I don't know man, It would have to be pretty well perfect.

I noticed you were looking at ebay, have you checked Autotrader dot com?

If you make really good money and can afford the 10k, great. Go for it but if it were me, I'd keep looking.

Best of luck on your search,

Wayne