Need a Benz in Germany...any members selling? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jwhughes3 · #1 10-23-2007, 02:53 PM

I am on a 1 year tour in Kaiserslautern (though will consider going anywhere in Germany to deal) and am having a hard time finding a Benz to drive ... BMW galore - they are practically like weeds they are so plentiful - but not Mercedes. I'll take gas, diesel whatever may be available and prefer to buy from a forum member.

John Hughes

cell 01520 394 3076

Any leads will be helpful - saw a diesel wagon today at a dealer but he wouldn't sell - was keeping it for himself!

sedecrem · #2 10-23-2007, 06:06 PM

My understanding is that a lot of these cars end up in Eastern Europe(and probably other areas around the globe where people need reliable autos that they can afford to keep on the road). We probably would not have many around here if it were not for the trans-oceanic shipping charges. What other make of car can you buy that has the potential to provide reliable, economic transportation for $2-3k that will last several 100k miles with a reasonable amount of maintainance?

Jim B. · #3 10-23-2007, 06:43 PM

Try "Mercedes Benz" in these:

www.autoscout24.de

www.mobile.de

www.ebay.de

and for the occasional gem at a premium price -

http://mirbach.de/

Happy hunting. We need to see some pictures when you get it.

airbus · #4 10-24-2007, 12:53 AM

Good luck with that!
It's literally impossible to find any older cars in Germany due their stupid emissions and insurance laws (Old cars = high emissions cars => high taxes; old cars = inexperienced driver cars=> high insurance rates).

Try taxi and/or limousine companies, you might be able to find a newer one with a lot of kilometers, but since taxis are rarely cold started, the wear is comparably minimal; and 90% of all taxis are still Mercedes.
I'll ask my former business partner if he has something for sale. That would be in Mainz, less than one hour from Kaiserslautern. Wouldn't that be convenient?

Jim B. · #5 10-24-2007, 05:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sedecrem

My understanding is that a lot of these cars end up in Eastern Europe(and probably other areas around the globe where people need reliable autos that they can afford to keep on the road). We probably would not have many around here if it were not for the trans-oceanic shipping charges. What other make of car can you buy that has the potential to provide reliable, economic transportation for $2-3k that will last several 100k miles with a reasonable amount of maintainance?

That is absolutely correct. For instance, there are more Mercedes per head of population than ANYWHERE in the world in little Albania. Most of these Mercedes, and they are everywhere, not just in Tirana, were stolen from Germany.

Likewise, after the Soviet Union collapsed, many Mercedes were stolen and went to Russia and Poland and other former communist bloc countries.

Ones that failed the strict TuV inspections and removed from the road were bought for next to nothing and exported to West Africa where they still continue to ply the roads there.

Many others were purchased by "Gastarbeiters" working in Germany, loaded with spare parts, and brought back to the home countries such as Yugolavia, Turkey, and else where.

Yet others were bought by brokers in Lebanon, Palestine Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Egypt, and exported, where Mercedes cars are highly coveted in those countries.

JRussell · #6 10-24-2007, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

That is absolutely correct. For instance, there are more Mercedes per head of population than ANYWHERE in the world in little Albania. Most of these Mercedes, and they are everywhere, not just in Tirana, were stolen from Germany.

Likewise, after the Soviet Union collapsed, many Mercedes were stolen and went to Russia and Poland and other former communist bloc countries.

Ones that failed the strict TuV inspections and removed from the road were bought for next to nothing and exported to West Africa where they still continue to ply the roads there.

Many others were purchased by "Gastarbeiters" working in Germany, loaded with spare parts, and brought back to the home countries such as Yugolavia, Turkey, and else where.

Yet others were bought by brokers in Lebanon, Palestine Jordan, Syria, Iraq and Egypt, and exported, where Mercedes cars are highly coveted in those countries.

That's very interesting. Excellent post.

jwhughes3 · #7 10-24-2007, 03:47 PM

That's what I was told also by the local Germans - Eastern Europe is where all the diesels are - they are rare in Germany - I have a lead on an 89 E190 which I will follow up tomorrow and look for a diesel at my leisure.

John

Fitz · #8 10-24-2007, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

...and for the occasional gem at a premium price -

http://mirbach.de/

Thank you for posting the Mirbach link Jim. Who says money can't buy happiness? I get happy just looking at the pictures.

I'd buy this to go with my Tatra....if only I had a Tatra

http://mirbach.de/main.asp?main=auto_detail&ID=2020&subnav=1

rrgrassi · #9 10-24-2007, 06:03 PM

Looks like stretched VW Bug with tail and front reworkings.

I wonder if the Bug was modeled after the Mirbach. That would be a sweet ride...

running-snail · #10 10-24-2007, 07:50 PM

Mirbach is the dealer, Adler is the auto. Wiki says last produced an auto in 1937 - advertisement lists this as a 1938.

Good analogy with the stretched volkswagen.

Fitz · #11 10-24-2007, 09:31 PM

According to the Mirbach ad, 5300 of them were produced between 1937 and 1940. Most were put into the service of the Wehrmacht.

Sorry for the thread drift.

JackG · #12 10-24-2007, 09:34 PM

What a hoot......
I'm in Germany and I can't find a Benz

.

Good luck

jwhughes3 · #13 10-27-2007, 02:11 AM

Got this 89 for $2500 US with 112,000 km (68k miles?) but like many here the star was broken off by vandals. I will have to replace that...can't be driving around without a star.

John

Jim B. · #14 10-27-2007, 03:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jwhughes3

Got this 89 for $2500 US with 112,000 km (68k miles?) but like many here the star was broken off by vandals. I will have to replace that...can't be driving around without a star.

John

A Mercedes without its star is like a cat without its whiskers. Yea, get the star right away.

Nice car for the price. Too bad you can't bring it back to Texas with you like a souvenir.

Looks like you found one pretty quick. And is a nice one, custom wheels and all. I thought you were looking for a Diesel.

This one is a gasser. 190E ?

What is up with that?

Enjoy it. It looks nice with the dark orange front corners and the euro lights.

Jim B. · #15 10-27-2007, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fitz

According to the Mirbach ad, 5300 of them were produced between 1937 and 1940. Most were put into the service of the Wehrmacht.

Sorry for the thread drift.

Can anyone tell me in the picture what that thing is on the left fender of that car?

I have seen it many times with pictures of WWII German vehicles and trucks that were used in the war, but never figured it out.

Is it some siren, horn, lighting device or what? I just can't make out what is is, and its use. But so many wartime cars had them. Trucks also.
i