101k miles. Rebuilt A/C. New brakes, new tires.

Had PPI, shop rated as "nice shape" but pointed out axles are leaking fluid which my shop said was a $600 repair.

I even make an offer was going to do it at $6,800 take it or leave it (asking $7,800).

I know a lot of folks don't even like the 210s but would work well for my daily commute using biodiesel.

One other question: it had a weird smell, service advisor mentioned a cabin filter changer might help. Anyone have any experience with this?

Asking price is suspiciously low but maybe they're common in that part of the country.

Have the strut towers checked for rust with a fine tooth comb.

Have the glow plugs replaced before you take it. Pay for the job if you have to.

Read up on the fuel deliver problems of the 606. Have the necessary fuel lines and seals replaced before you take it.

Is it a flood damaged car? That would cause funky odors.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

Suspiciously low price.

Get it checked by an independent shop that is familiar with Mercedes.

Spring perches are a major issue if rust has developed.

The smell might be a reason to abandon it unless you can determine the source. I can tell you that all of my vehicles keep their characteristic smell (usually from the PO) and it never completely goes away. The cabin filter is highly unlikely to cure the problem.

If I've learned anything from this forum, it's get things check out beforehand! Had it checked out by a great shop here in Austin (********).

They're only issue was the leaking in the axles.

They thought everything else checked out well, except the smell. They echoed your sentiments that can be hard to get rid of. "Ode de perro (dog)" was the guess from the serice advistor.

Reason I was considering was the low price and the potential ability to go down even more. Basically buying the car with deprecciation fully kicked in.

Smell could be an issue.

KBB is 7,400 for private party in good shape.

Again, much appreciated!

100K miles, rebuilt AC and leaking axles? There's more to this story...

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

I agree. Price is also way too low. I'm not sure about the nonturbo, but a turbo in good condition with ~130k mi might run you $17-20k.

__________________
99 E300 TD -- sold
01 540i 6 spd

'96s are trouble in the reliability category - take that into consideration when choosing your price.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Well... kbb retail is about 11K on an excellent car. (which this isn't)

So... While the price might be a little low, there must be a reason, keep looking.

Regarding the smell.... there are carbon filters (about $100), and paper cabin filters (about $25). Replace those, the floor mats (about $100). I have an ozone machine that does an excellent job of removing odors (like a cigar smell) A 24 hour soak with the ozone machine would probably remove most funky smells. (except those that are really deep, like a flooded car)

I would think that the advise they give for Porsches would probably also apply to Mercedes. Buy the best car you can afford. In the long run, that will be the best choice.

Pull a CarFax report on it, or drag a report out of someone here in the forum.

Look for ownership in New Orleans or Mississippi - flood.

I get more use out of CarFax to determine place(s) of ownership than anything else, other than the accident reports. No more nothern cars for me.
It is really amazing how vehicles move around, and they often take a hop down south from the north - for resale.

Ken300D

__________________
--------------------------
1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

"I'm not sure about the nonturbo, but a turbo in good condition with ~130k mi might run you $17-20k."

Only in some owners dreams. Take one down to a dealer and try and trade it in and see what they offer. Try checking expired auctions on ebay and see what you find. Try an older ad on autotrader and see if they still have it or if it's been sold. To get that price routinely it would have to be a prime example with well less then 100K and purchased by either a comitted enthusiast 9or one who should be comitted) or some neophyte who's done no research on any MB forum.

I have a 96 e300D that needs the oil pan replaced and some suspension parts, which I have, to be put on, 114k miles, and no smell for $6,500. Also, it came from my neighbor 4 miles aways and has gotten any service ever needed and oil changed every 3,000 miles. PM me if you want some more info.

__________________
1996 E300D
1996 E320 Wagon 4MATIC
2003 Jetta TDI- GLS, 5-spd
1997 Passat TDI
2002 F350 Crew cab 4x4 Powerstroke
Jacobsen HR 15' cut ZTR w/ 80 HP Perkins diesel
Hustler 6' front deck with 28HP Kubota diesel

I guess I should have mentioned that I did run a carfax on it as well.

Checks out.

http://www.carfax.com/phoenix/external/viewEmailReport.do?a=r%2BsdRuBZgJox05UBP9Oa2BISb6%2F81lHlzzSdKJlxpLZHsIWeJnMg3tbDgDaCTSi3

Basically, a couple bought off a leasing company (not MB) back in '98. It's been the wife's daily driver. She doesn't work and limited mobility (handicap plates) hence the low mileage.

An accident shows up but it was a minor fender bender and they had it repaired at the local dealer body shop.

From the looking I've done (and it's waaayyy too much) these cars seems to go for $9.5 - $11.5 (ebay, autotrader, craigslist, etc.)

My biggest issue with this car is the dash cracks (seems to be a common occurence), the smell, the color combo of the interior (tan on dark brown). Plus some of the interior trim is pretty worn (e.g. the door handles).

I guess I was thinking if I got it for cheap enough, with low enough miles I could get some apolostry work done and drive this sucker for a while.

There's a similar one available that needs about $800 in body work (very driveable) with the blue opal color on grey and the deeper package (fancy stereo, etc.) with 30k more miles. Had the prepurchase on that one too. Maybe I'll go back in that direction.

Thanks for your help.

Well, maybe I ought to turn myself in - mental hygiene arrest - at least I've thought about it at times after buying a MB! I paid $17K for my one owner 1999 E300 TD w/ 74,000 miles. It is nice, everything important checked out at a MB dealer (spring perches, glow plugs - although not removed, electronics) and always a southern car (Maryland). At this time, the rear PS door lock will unlock but not lock and it needs ball joints - both covered under the 4 year unlimited miles extended warranty I purchased (so far so good on that one - already almost $500 in repairs - another $1700 and I'll be even on the investment). Other than that it runs and drives 100%. I was pretty happy with the deal - I could have found one with more miles for less $$ but I decided to pay a few more dollars upfront for a lower mileage car that had been well cared for (every stamp in book at 7500K intervals and EVERY recommended service performed at a MB dealer where car was purchased up until 6 months before I took it). Also, completely clean car fax and MB body shop said no paintwork or damage ever - they used a micromiter along with a visual inspection (spelling?) to check the paint. Time will tell whether I made the right choice... but I love it now!

My only gripe is the weather here in Buffalo, NY - I'm not planning on driving it in slush and salt so I'll be in the Trailblazer for the next couple weeks until the roads dry up and the salt disappears.... so it sits in the garage for now.

__________________
1999 E300D Turbo (For Sale approx. 4/2007)
2006 Honda Odyssey EX-L RES (hers)
2003 Chevrolet Trailblazer (SOLD)

$15k to $20 is the going rate for a '98-'99. I'd pay $17k for the one you bought, and I just might do that when my neighbor sells me his '99 with 75k on it.

As for KBB, they're whoafully out of touch. A '96 diesel with 101k is worth $8k-10k - $10k on the perfect-side.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600