A "should I buy" question - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

tobybul · #31 12-02-2006, 12:31 AM

remember that one out of Detroit not too long ago tha had really low miles like below 50k and the seller was asking I believe around $13,000? I wonder if it ever sold for that price...I think it was both in ebay and craigslist....

Brian Carlton · #32 12-02-2006, 12:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimZ

I really, REALLY, don't want to spend $7500, and I definitely think that is a lot to ask for an old, high milage car. And I'm not being naive. I have poured over ebay and craigslist for fair weather states. I've seen examples of good and excellent condition 300D's. There's one on ebay right now. It's the same exact car, year, interior and exterior color and everything with 202,136k:
Item# 200053120951

You can purchase a pristine 1984 300SD with 85K miles on the clock with absolutely no rust and maintained by a thorougly knowledgable forum member at a price of $7700. Would you not consider this vehicle a far better choice than the proposed W123 from your mechanic?

Understand that the vehicle is not mine.........but.........it's offered by a very respected member of our community.

Such a vehicle will provide far greater service life than the proposed W123 and there is no question that you'll be totally satisfied with it.

Naturally, you'd have to be happy with with the larger SD to consider it.

captainmonk · #33 12-02-2006, 04:17 AM

my 86 SDL was bought in july for 2500 with 392000 miles on it Roll of the dice for sure The complete list of repairs so far would be too long but when i do the rear axles next week it will make every thing that moves under the floorboards replaced new gp injector lines belt tensioner Get the idea???? now I have 7000 into my 86 SDL with 397500 miles on it and still no radio A/C and hmmmmmmmm must be a few more things

About the time it hits $10000 I can give it to the 16 year old so she'll at least survive her first wreck Then i can go buy a 5000 car without so many issues

MS Fowler · #34 12-02-2006, 06:32 AM

JimZ,

Here is one thing to consider.....
Talk with your insurance agent. Find out if/how you can be insured for the value of the car. I believe you can get an "agreed value" policy. It is one where you and the insurance company agree up-front on the value of the car, and the premiums will cover that valuation.
The worst scenario I can imagine is where you buy this car at $7500, and it gets hit by an uninsured illegal immigrant and your insurance company says that the car is only worth $1000, becaase it has 300,000 miles and its over 20 years old.

Can you post some pics?

#35 12-02-2006, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MS Fowler

Here is one thing to consider.....
Talk with your insurance agent. Find out if/how you can be insured for the value of the car. I believe you can get an "agreed value" policy. It is one where you and the insurance company agree up-front on the value of the car, and the premiums will cover that valuation.

That's a good point. I pay for "normal" full coverage insurance, but in reality I think I'm mostly "self insured."

MTUpower · #36 12-02-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian Carlton

You can purchase a pristine 1984 300SD with 85K miles on the clock with absolutely no rust and maintained by a thorougly knowledgable forum member at a price of $7700. Would you not consider this vehicle a far better choice than the proposed W123 from your mechanic?

Understand that the vehicle is not mine.........but.........it's offered by a very respected member of our community.

Such a vehicle will provide far greater service life than the proposed W123 and there is no question that you'll be totally satisfied with it.

Naturally, you'd have to be happy with with the larger SD to consider it.

Brian wrote it first... but he just beat me to it. The car Brian is talking about would be a better buy IMHO.

t walgamuth · #37 12-02-2006, 11:38 AM

the only way i would pay that kind of money is if it had a fresh motor done correctly and a fresh tranny.

at 300k the head gasket if not done already will be ready to go. when in there at that mileage on a turbo motor you will want to do the valves, most of the guides maybe some of the valve springs, the cam chain guides, oil pump chain etc. this job done correctyly is around 2000.

so if the engine and tranny is fresh i would consider it....otherwise it is a 4k car at most.

oem parts or not. oem parts doesnt mean much to me. most of the aftermarket parts that can be bought for these are from the mfgrs of the original parts anyway.

tom w
tom w

JimZ · #38 12-04-2006, 09:03 AM

The 300D on ebay that is very similar to the one in question here had a high bid of $6200 when the auction ended, but the reserve wasn't met. I guess it's all about supply and demand for a 20 something Mercedes in great condition. I'm calling the mechanic today to find out what he has done to the car and exactly how many miles it has. I'll report back later.

Brian Carlton · #39 12-04-2006, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimZ

The 300D on ebay that is very similar to the one in question here had a high bid of $6200 when the auction ended, but the reserve wasn't met.

Did this vehicle have nearly 300K on the clock?

If so, maybe you could provide a link to the auction, because I would be thorougly amazed to find a 300D fetch $6200 with any mileage above 200K.

JimZ · #40 12-04-2006, 11:58 AM

The one on ebay, item # 200053120951 - has 202,136k on it. $6200 for a car in really great shape with that many miles seems reasonable to me, but the reserve wasn't met. I think the one I'm looking at is in better overall condition, but the miles are higher. I'm waiting for the mechanic selling the car to call me back. More later.

Brian Carlton · #41 12-04-2006, 12:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimZ

The one on ebay, item # 200053120951 - has 202,136k on it. $6200 for a car in really great shape with that many miles seems reasonable to me, but the reserve wasn't met. I think the one I'm looking at is in better overall condition, but the miles are higher. I'm waiting for the mechanic selling the car to call me back. More later.

Well, it's a good looking vehicle, but $6200 is exceptionally high for a vehicle with 200K.......unless it's got maintenance records.........which this one probably does not.

The prices that you are entertaining are more realistic for vehicles with 100K-150K...........

JimZ · #42 12-05-2006, 06:44 PM

So I talked to the mechanic today. The $7500 was actualy for a 123 TD with 240k. The 85 300D is nowhere near done, based on what the mech wants to do with it. It has about 145k miles and he thinks that when he's done he'll get 15 grand. After he paints it.

That's the end of that chapter. If any of you know of anyone selling an 82-85 300D with under 200k miles with no rust for somewhere in the neighborhood of $3000, and within driving distance from Philly, please let me know. The 126 is too big for this city, and I have my heart set on a 123 now. It's just nearly impossible to find one that isn't a rust bucket around here, and I don't feel comfortable buying sight unseen off of ebay. So, any PA, DE, or NJ locals that know of specialty shops with good deals or a private owner selling what I'm looking for, hit me up!

ps-I'll also post this in cars wanted.

rs899 · #43 12-06-2006, 07:13 AM

Jim Z-

I think you have an acheivable goal there -$3K. Just stay focused and be patient and one will turn up.

Rick