found an awesome condition 300D w/ blown engine. whats it worth? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

old_ · #1 08-05-2007, 04:15 PM

I have recently found a 85 300D sedan at a local MB dealership. They received it in trade for a newer MB. The paint, body, interior, etc are all in near perfect condition. The car has 210,000 miles but you would never know it. Only problem with the car is it has a blown headgasket and cracked head. I guess what happened is the radiator developed a leak and was run out of coolant, badly overheating the engine. I have spoken with a couple salesman about this car and the lowest they will take for it is $2,000 as it sits, the same price they 'paid' for in trade. The salesman said they just received the car last week and had planned on replacing the engine and selling it for $10,000

. Do you guys think this car is worth 2k?

I have contacted a few junkyards and found an engine out of a wrecked 300D with 135,000 miles for $650. For ~$3-3.5k I could have this very nice car back on the road. Another thing to consider is that these cars are pretty rare in my area. Especially cars in decent condition that are not rusted hulks. Even cars in fair condition with 200k+ miles seem to be selling for $3.5-4K+ in this area.
Thoughts?
thanks

dieselnut14 · #2 08-05-2007, 04:23 PM

If the rest of the car is as near perfect as you say it is, and its only the head, I would certainly buy it, you don't need an engine, just find a used head and have it checked out and you should be on your way.

Peter

lietuviai · #3 08-05-2007, 04:26 PM

Go in with $1500 in cash and tell them you'll take it home the same day.

tankdriver · #4 08-05-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lietuviai

Go in with $1500 in cash and tell them you'll take it home the same day.

Make that $1300, with $200 still in your pocket.

chomamma · #5 08-05-2007, 05:13 PM

Believe me, they aint going put no engine in it and sell it. No intentions on that. And surely wont get 10 grand for it. I imagine it will go out to an auction house. Dont talk to any salesman, only the sales manager. They will have to pay auction costs, delivery etc... They might get $1500 in auction or salvage. I'd second tankdrivers sugestion. GO low.... Even when you get done fixing it up you'll only have a $4-5k car unless it is in pristene condition. IMHO

TMAllison · #6 08-05-2007, 06:00 PM

I cant imagine they gave more than $500 on a trade-in for a car that wont run...... In their mind that cars scrap metal. They could have intentions of selling it to one of their local indies, I doubt it would go to acution.

I'd offer them $7-800 cash and tell them they needed to deliver it to you as part of the deal. If they say its worth more than that have them quote you the cost of a factory new head, installed......then ask why they haven't repaired it already if its so valuable.

daw_two · #7 08-05-2007, 06:03 PM

Guys --- you are too easy and too HIGH. If you have a trailer that you can haul the car on.....or if you have a good tow service.....I would go in there and offer them $1000 and tell them you can have it off the lot in less than 2 hours ---- call the tow service FIRST if you don't have a truck & trailer.

CASH does speak loudly.

And if they don't bite; then get lined up with a used car dealer to buy it with them at auction. Tell 'em you will give them $200 to buy the car for you and be on the phone with them or at the auction.

old_ · #8 08-05-2007, 06:22 PM

Thanks for the advice guys. I am sure you are right about what they paid and what they intend to do with the car. I am going to go in with 1k cash and see what happens. To be honest I would be thrilled to get the car at that price (obviously I wont let them know that

). Thanks for the help!

old_ · #9 08-05-2007, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

f they say its worth more than that have them quote you the cost of a factory new head, installed......then ask why they haven't repaired it already if its so valuable.

does anyone know approximately what a factory new head and/or engine would cost?

lietuviai · #10 08-05-2007, 06:23 PM

Don't wait too long to do it. Let us know what happens.

lietuviai · #11 08-05-2007, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old_

does anyone know approximately what a factory new head and/or engine would cost?

AFAIK, new engines aren't available anymore. I know someone who had a factory replacement engine put in a 300SD about 10 years ago and IIRC it cost around $6K for the engine alone.

TMAllison · #12 08-05-2007, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old_

does anyone know approximately what a factory new head and/or engine would cost?

Rebuilts - I mispoke when I said "new".

http://www.adsitco.com/

#13 08-05-2007, 07:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TMAllison

Rebuilts - I mispoke when I said "new".

http://www.adsitco.com/

From Metric, a long block is about $6K:

http://www.mercedesengines.net/products.asp?cat=40

and a head is about $1K:

http://www.mercedesengines.net/proddetail.asp?prod=300SD

vstech · #14 08-05-2007, 07:54 PM

mine cost me 400.00, but it had a dent in the corner... same everything else, even the battery tray is pristine!!! amazing condition except for the bad oil cooler hose, spun rod bearing etc... be stern, ignore the "SALES MANAGER" and ask for the person in charge of the dealership. they will dump the car to you VERY QUICK, unless you live in Seattle.

tobybul · #15 08-05-2007, 08:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chomamma

Believe me, they aint going put no engine in it and sell it. No intentions on that. And surely wont get 10 grand for it. I imagine it will go out to an auction house. Dont talk to any salesman, only the sales manager. They will have to pay auction costs, delivery etc... They might get $1500 in auction or salvage. I'd second tankdrivers sugestion. GO low.... Even when you get done fixing it up you'll only have a $4-5k car unless it is in pristene condition. IMHO

and I doubt they paid $2k for it.... I'm guessing more like $500 or less..

ask them to show u proof that they paid 2k since they are the ones saying so..