Buying my first old MB diesel - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Bernie · #1 03-24-2008, 09:47 PM

I am looking to pick up my first old MB diesel and am curious if there is anything I should be aware of when shopping. I will most likely get it off Ebay or Craigs List so is there any particular questions I should ask to prevent unhappiness? Is there any particular model that is more reliable than others? Please give me the inside scoop.

Thanks

vstech · #2 03-24-2008, 09:59 PM

search here for W123 and W126 you will find more info than you can read in ten years.

zeke · #3 03-24-2008, 10:00 PM

www.mercedes-w123.net/buyers_guide.htm

British, but don't hold it against him

babymog · #4 03-24-2008, 10:04 PM

Every model has its followers and detractors, each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Here's how I'd start your process:

Decide how much you can spend, total including any repairs etc.

How much space do you need, large car or small?

Which is more important, sporty or classic looks?

What type of work do you feel competant doing yourself, electrical? Mechanical? Body/Rust?

The answers to these will help to elimnate several models.

ndz77-240D · #5 03-25-2008, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by babymog

Every model has its followers and detractors, each one has its advantages and disadvantages. Here's how I'd start your process:

Decide how much you can spend, total including any repairs etc.

How much space do you need, large car or small?

Which is more important, sporty or classic looks?

What type of work do you feel competant doing yourself, electrical? Mechanical? Body/Rust?

The answers to these will help to elimnate several models.

Jeff has some great pointers here. All very important to consider.
My 240D being my first car, I'd been looking at older Mercedes for a little while, including a w126, but decided on the 240d for several reasons.
It's a large engine bay with not much in it, and I wanted room to work and learn about the car on my own but wasn't concerned with being fastest on the freeway. But that's not for everyone. You'll find what's best for you.
As a side note, I've always been told to consider the price of the car and add on roughly $1000 for repairs that might need to be done soon after buying it. It's a good thing to keep in mind. Good luck, and welcome to the forum!

kerry · #6 03-25-2008, 03:32 PM

I bought my 79 W116 300SD on Ebay but it was local to me. I'd be hesitant to buy at a distance anymore. Ebay seems to be getting more and more scam artists. Look at one of the GreenBenz threads if you want to be scared off Ebay.

LUVMBDiesels · #7 03-25-2008, 05:17 PM

Here is what I would do. Join MBCA. Mercedes Benz Club of America or at least go to their web site and find your local chapter. Contact one of the members and ask questions. You will find MBCA members a very helpful bunch. They might know of local cars in good condition and/or can help you inspect one. Once you know what to look for you will have a much better buying experience.

Good luck!

patbob · #8 03-24-2008, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bernie

I am looking to pick up my first old MB diesel and am curious if there is anything I should be aware of when shopping. I will most likely get it off Ebay or Craigs List so is there any particular questions I should ask to prevent unhappiness? Is there any particular model that is more reliable than others? Please give me the inside scoop.

Thanks

Spend a few minutes searchig this forum and search "rod bender" and "cracked head". Those two issues are resonably common on some models and cost a lot to fix.

Also, spend a few minutes searching for threads on what to check on a new MB diesel purchase. The topic has been discussed several times with people tossing in their list of things to check for and the lists are usually a pretty good starting place of what issues to check for if unfamiliar with these cars.

As far as questions to ask of the seller.. how about "can I have it inspected prior to purchase?".

Hatterasguy · #9 03-24-2008, 11:50 PM

Buying a car off Ebay would scare the crap out of me, unless you can look at it and drive it of course.

JimS · #10 03-25-2008, 12:38 AM

I would never buy a car off Ebay. Values often get inflated way behond reason in these bidding wars. Check for local cars through Craigs List that you can have inspected prior to purchase. Also, it is a great idea to check with local independent MB repair shops for customers of theirs who are selling cars. Often times you can get a good repair history on a car like this plus straight info from the mechanic who has serviced it.

pawoSD · #11 03-25-2008, 01:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Buying a car off Ebay would scare the crap out of me, unless you can look at it and drive it of course.

I bought my SD sight unseen from a guy in PA 4.5 years ago through ebay with 207k on it.

He lied about: The A/C it worked for about 150 miles then died. (recharged a R12 system with 134a, the idiot) A window seal was messed up so the passenger front window wouldn't shut....I ended up breaking the window trying to fix it. $128 later....problem solved.

Other than that....it was accurate. Of course I have repaired about a million things since then, but its been a perfectly fine car.

My dad's SD was bought from a guy in Detroit through ebay. Honest/nice guy, and we went down and drove it/tested it out before the auction ended. Needless to say, we won the auction, picked it up a few days later.

300D we bought from a weird guy over in Eastern Michigan's deep pine forests through craigslist.

Got an excellent deal on a rust-free/mechanically near perfect car. We actually had to hustle over there to get it because some other guy was going to come the following morning to buy it. Seller said "whoever comes first gets it". I bet that other guy was pretty mad.

Hatterasguy · #12 03-25-2008, 01:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

I bought my SD sight unseen from a guy in PA 4.5 years ago through ebay with 207k on it.

He lied about: The A/C it worked for about 150 miles then died. (recharged a R12 system with 134a, the idiot) A window seal was messed up so the passenger front window wouldn't shut....I ended up breaking the window trying to fix it. $128 later....problem solved.

Other than that....it was accurate. Of course I have repaired about a million things since then, but its been a perfectly fine car.

My dad's SD was bought from a guy in Detroit through ebay. Honest/nice guy, and we went down and drove it/tested it out before the auction ended. Needless to say, we won the auction, picked it up a few days later.

300D we bought from a weird guy over in Eastern Michigan's deep pine forests through craigslist.

Got an excellent deal on a rust-free/mechanically near perfect car. We actually had to hustle over there to get it because some other guy was going to come the following morning to buy it. Seller said "whoever comes first gets it". I bet that other guy was pretty mad.

I actualy bought the SDL off ebay, but it was right down the street so I knew exactly what I was getting before I bid. I actualy tried to get them to end it early and waved a bunch of cash at them but they held out, and got less than I was offering.

I had waited a long time to get one, and it was exactly the car I wanted, so I wanted it right away and was willing to pay extra. So I waved $3k in front of them, and they wanted to hold out. I was the only bidder and got it for the starting price $2,500.

Come to think of it buying the car itself was the cheap part!

85300DT · #13 03-25-2008, 12:57 AM

I'll second craigslist or buy&sell or Kijiji. Ebay is just plain crazy..

Hatterasguy · #14 03-25-2008, 01:22 AM

Good examples are hard to find so I recomend being patient. 95% of the old MB's on the market you don't want to buy, they are junk. Read these forums, talk to members, and educate yourself on what a good example looks like. These cars were built pretty well, so just because a car is pretty and drives well doesn't mean it's in good shape. You need to know what to look for or bring it to someone who does.

Spending more money for a better example up front is a wise investment, and is usualy cheaper long term.

Having said that I have seen some really good cars for sale go for fair prices. Actualy a member here is trying to get rid of a very nice SDL that just needs a head or engine. The rest of the car has been well sorted. Something like that could be a killer deal if you are mechanicaly inclined enough to swap motors. I have also seen a few very nice W126's and W123's pop up localy, so they are out there you just have to hunt.

Alberta Luthier · #15 03-25-2008, 01:35 AM

If I was within 1000 miles of this car I wouldn't be sitting in front of my computer tonight I'd be on my way to check it out.
http://atlanta.craigslist.org/car/615443415.html
I am NOT saying it is a good car, I haven't seen it. But boy I would like to check it out just in case it is as good as it might be!
I hope someone here checks it out and maybe buys it!