Something like that would command $27k tops but wouldn't be quite the nightmare people think a low-mileage car would be. I've had my hands in and around enough examples to know thru the years, including cars/motorcycles from the teens up until the late 1980's (my old man likes to tinker w/ old junk).

Other than replacing the obvious (hoses/belts/fluids), the worst things to pop up are rusty fuel tanks, bad water pumps, rusty brake pistons and corroded points on older vehicles. Maybe 5% of the time i've had to deal w/ things like that...I have yet to even replace a radiator. Engines rarely suffer, other than once I had to do a valve job on a 60's 365B that sat idle for 20yrs b/c the valves wouldn't seat on a couple of cylinders.

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'64 230SL

It's only of value if you intend to preserve it with low miles. If you actually intend to use it the value will decrease rapidly. If you are looking for transportation, find a good 100K mile car for $10-15K. This car is priced as a collector car and should be keep with low miles.

If you want to spend $35K, buy a later model used car, like a CDI.

Great information. I guess I got all excited seeing an older car in this condition (love the body style of the w126 s class. Maybe a 100,000 mile car for half the price is a better option for me since I do intend to drive it daily. Are the diesels from the 90's any better than the w126s from the 80's?

Now you're done it, expect some enthusiastic responses from both camps.

I drive my 85 300SD 150 miles 5 day's a week with no problem, only payed $3400 two years ago with 143,000 miles. Still going strong!!

Craig brings up a good point. Only buy it if you're interested in preserving it. It will keep its value that way. All the age problems will start showing themselves quickly if you use it as a daily driver. Not to mention the value will drop sharply.

Buy an 05-06 CDI for that money. I bet you'll be a lot happier in the long run.

A 124 diesel with the 2.5T (602) or the 3.0 NA (606) probably will be your best value for the money. They have the great 124 body, suspension and features, and are new enough to still be reliable as a daily driver. The 210 series had quality control problems, but when dialed in they're fantastic cars, especially the 98-99 with the turbo. They still command a premium over their gas brethren though.

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Dale

http://i52.photobucket.com/albums/g1...MG_2277sig.jpg

1990 300D 2.5 Turbo -155k
2000 E430 - 103k
2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Ecodiesel 4x4 - 11k
2014 VW Passat TDI SE - 7k Bro's Diesel
2006 E320 CDI - 128k Pop's Benz

Pre-glow - A moment of silence in honor of Rudolph Diesel

I'd rather consider this an opportunity to purchase a new W126 S-Class car.

Why would anybody waste their money on an '05 - '06 CDI when they are clearly inferior compared to Benz cars of the '80s vintage. Especially the S-Class (materials-wise).

I wouldn't pay over 30K dollars, however. And for me, it would bother me to own a car like that and worry about every little ding or imperfection that should surface through ownership. For a that same price he's asking you can have 6 - 7 decent daily-driver 300SDL's. You'd never need another car again.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

Second that


I'd rather spend 35k on a new car

I just bought a 1979 W116 300SD with 111k miles for $5900. I wouldn't have paid $29k more for 100k less miles because the differences in upkeep between the two cars are going to be minimal.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

35,000???? Dude , you must have a ton of cash laying around for a 21 year old car that is no where near a collectible that will hold value anywhere near that price. Just imagine buying this car and having someone hit it, you will never...ever get anywhere near that from the insurance company. Not to mention you can buy 6 or 7 real nice 126 benzes for that price.

I think these cars can be daily drivers. I have driven my ALMOST every day since May 19th of this year. I'm averaging about 1,000 miles a month, so not high mileage. You will notice I have the B.S. flag in my signature right AFTER the odometer reading. The mileage MIGHT be right, but who would know?? I'm still trying to piece together the lineage on the car.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Assuming you are near certain the mileage is legitimate and you don't mind dealing with some old rubber, I don't see how buying a car like that for daily driving is any worse than buying a newer model which will depreciate just as much if not more. It all depends on how much this car is worth to you. If it's your lifelong dream to own a "new" SDL, this might be your best chance since time travel hasn't been invented yet. But before you jump on this you might want to test drive a CDI or some other newer cars. For that money, I'd get a used CDI, but that's just me. I would also agree that $35K is a bit much even if the miles are legit. Do try to bring the price down if you decide to get it.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

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

I'm surprised nobody has pointed this out yet.. the general consensus seems to be to STAY AWAY from the 3.5 diesel found in the 350SDL and all the W140 diesels (i.e 90s S-Class diesels) due to the rod bending issue. If the motor has been replaced by a genuine Mercedes motor then you should be okay. That aside, it's a hell of a gamble. Some have gone many trouble free miles but you just never know since they all have the same design flaw.

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1981 230E, 1984 300D.
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www.ranwhenparked.net

It's a 300SDL not a 350SDL.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I know, but he asked about 90s diesels in comparison to the 80s diesels. Though my post was probably confusing, I edited it accordingly.

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1981 230E, 1984 300D.
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www.ranwhenparked.net