I've been looking for some time for a nice 95-97 E300. I don't need the turbo power and want to keep the cost down. Why do people ask so much for the 95 body style? I have learned a lot about the pros and cons of the 3 different year models and their respective differences and features but just can't find a nice one for what I feel is an appropriate price. Everyone is wanting WAY over suggested retail prices and they are all 100's of miles away! Forget Ebay... Too much $$ and too much risk! I thought living in Atlanta w/ 4.5 million people that there would be at least 1 nice one that fit my parameters. Where would y'all shop for one? Thanks in advance for the advice!

Check autotrader.com. Determine just how far you are willing to travel to go for a look see and a test drive.

I bought mine in Fort Worth, since I live about 1.5 hours away. Mine is the '82 model. The '95 is a sweet looking ride.

The reason prices get so high is the SVO/WVO/Biodiesel craze has artificially inflated the pricing. Do not buy the first one you come across.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

I would look at autotrader. Last year when I was looking someone had a 95 for way under market value. She had no clue what the car was worth until someone had snatched it away from her. I would have flown out of H-J to get that car. To get the best deals you have to be flexible. I see a few 95-97 diesels on the road but rarely for sale. Diesels get quite a premium on the market in the ATL if they are in good. I would also check craigslist. atlanta.craigslist.org

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

Chris, these cars aren't going to fall into your lap...you've got to get out there and get immersed in the diesel auto trading action if you're serious.

Trying to use a book/guide to detemine a "fair" price is going to be a frustrating excercise.

I suspect the W124 are bringing strong money due to the repuation of the early W210 cars and their related problems. The 1995 diesel is a fine car if you don't mind going slow Good luck in your quest and be certain to reserve $4000 (or more) in repair money.

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1998 W210 diesel (wiped out by a texter)
Baum spring compressor "for rent"

Did you even check the replies in your original thread?

I prefer Ebay for my car shopping unless it's a local deal, but with these cars being so rare, it's unlikely to be a local deal. Ebay has a feedback system and you can tell a lot about the seller that way. It also has a $20,000 guarantee on most cars to assure the buyer that the car is not heavily misrepresented. Autotrader and other online classifieds have no such thing as far as I know.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Are you the same guy that's been asking once a week for the last 3 weeks for a pristine 95 E300D, less than 100k miles and costs less than $8k?

Regardless, a diesel forum isn't the best place to find such a thing. You need to look in old lady's garages and places like that.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

What's your budget?

I recently found one for $7500 and got it ASAP. The car is e300 1997 and had 165000 on it. So far I have invested about $800 in repairs and I do everything myself thanks to the help of this forum. I say if you find one that you like get it. Those are very hard to find but not imposible. Keep looking.

There was a 95 E300D on auto trader just like that in the fall of 2005. But that was from someone who had no clue how to value that vehicle! I actually talked to the woman on the phone and it was gone. I got the impression I was one of many callers. This is the kind of deal Perkins is referencing. Those are rare and you have to be quick because there are quite a few diesel heads who look for deals like that! Go on to auto trade and set up some advanced settings. It is quite easy to see all mercedes that fit that category across the country. If you want one you will probably have to look a while then hop on an airtran or delta flight to do a blind deal.

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/nby/car/263440358.html

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85 300D Turbo

That Santa Rosa car's been for sale for a long time. Maybe because of the dreaded expensive wood panels

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

The '95s are worth a lot because they're the most reliable.

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- Brian


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

With the 1995 engine, you can change all the glow plugs without potentially ruining the head. The later engines had much longer glow plugs that get stuck inside the head - people then have to try drilling them out and ruin the head. Big bucks for what should be a simple DIY job.

Next, the front springs in the later cars rest on a perch that seems to be rusting away faster than a 240D parked in ocean spray.

I personally would rather have the 91/93 range car than the 1995 - you get the turbo combined with great fuel mileage. Plus an engine that seems to have few chronic problems across the whole inventory.

Just an opinion......

Ken300D

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

Not exactly what you're looking for, but there's a 92 model listed locally here for $5,000. Doesn't mention the miles, kind of mysterious, but maybe worth a call if you happen to be in the Mid Atlantic area. I'm personally partial to the W124 body style, and from what I've read, I'm not alone. I know a lot of people love their W210s, but a lot seem less-than-satisfied by various hiccups from that chassi/model. That sentiment may be why you're seeing the 124s go for higher prices.

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

I'll go with Bodhi. You can get much better deals on early 90's models. The engine is not the 606 but this era 124 gets the best fuel mileage pre the CDI. Small engine with turbo is a great combination. I get low 30's interstate commuting with traffic jams and up to 36 MPG on a freeway trip. I test drove both turbo and non turbo 606's in w210s but I never drove a 95.

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory