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  #1  
Old 10-22-2008, 11:53 AM
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opinions on this car?

Hey guys I have a line on a w124 and want some feed back on it. So here's the particulars:

1992 300d 2.5 turbo
miles 202K
rebuilt trans and fuel pump 8K ago with receipt
claims oil change every 4K
Claims new mats, alternator, battery, motor mount, driver seat control
A/C repaired and blows cold
previous owner claims rebuilt turbo, and machined head but no receipts for that work.

asking 4500

The car is about 1.5 hour drive away for me so I have yet to burn up valuable points getting wife to drive me that far. I thought I'd see what kind of response I get here first. Thanks

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  #2  
Old 10-22-2008, 12:08 PM
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If all that work is true, I think $4000-ish would probably be a reasonable price, depending on the body and interior condition.
I paid $3k for my 87 with 198k, all documents, but no major work done like the trans..that is always a plus to not have to worry about for a while.
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2005 E320 CDI - 246k
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  #3  
Old 10-22-2008, 04:53 PM
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Accident history? Rust? Are you willing to pay $2000 in the first year for incidentals (brakes, suspension, electricals, etc.)?

You really should get a prepurchase inspection.

Sixto
87 300D
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  #4  
Old 10-22-2008, 04:59 PM
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I would prefer i car that had not had severe issues repaired. Blown heads, turbos and transmissions all raise red flags in my mind and signals signs of severe neglect. Especially if the car has ~200k. I would pass.
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  #5  
Old 10-22-2008, 08:14 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by sixto View Post
Accident history? Rust? Are you willing to pay $2000 in the first year for incidentals (brakes, suspension, electricals, etc.)?

You really should get a prepurchase inspection.

Sixto
87 300D
no accident history, at least according to carfax. Rust, well I won't know until I drive 2 hours to look it over.

Why do you predict 2K in incidentals in the first year? Is this based on having the work done, or DIY? I have read here that the w124 is more costly to maintain than the w123, but is the difference that large?
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  #6  
Old 10-22-2008, 08:24 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by billhard View Post
no accident history, at least according to carfax. Rust, well I won't know until I drive 2 hours to look it over.

Why do you predict 2K in incidentals in the first year? Is this based on having the work done, or DIY? I have read here that the w124 is more costly to maintain than the w123, but is the difference that large?
Heck, 2k the first year ain't that far off from W123's......
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'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
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  #7  
Old 10-22-2008, 08:51 PM
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It's a trick question. If you're willing to pay $2000 in maintenance, buy a $6500 car with complete records and much less probability of surprising you.

Price a set of rotors and pads, shocks, front and rear suspension bushings, engine vacuum pump, fan clutch, etc. Add that to basic new-to-you-car items like fluids, filters, thermostat, hoses, etc. Then there's window and seat switches, ACC vacuum pods, etc. $150 for a prepurchase inspection from a reputable shop is a bargain if not a worthwhile hedge.

I'm not saying that car isn't worth $4500. You have to be comfortable with how much more than that the car is likely to cost you. I'd rather have a heads up from a tech than have to explain things to my wife

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  #8  
Old 10-22-2008, 10:14 PM
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Im not sure why people say a 124 is more costly to maintain. It is pretty simple to diy most common repairs, just like the 123, and parts are cheap. A starter went bad in my 87 300D last winter, it cost $158 for a rebuilt and took an hour to R&R. Now go figure, my 90 300E winter car needs a starter. i ordered one yesterday, rebuilt for $118, and it came in today. I put 2 rebuilt calipers on last year and they were $48 per side. Many of the parts have Chevy prices.

Oil changes are extremely easy on the 124 diesels.
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  #9  
Old 10-22-2008, 10:37 PM
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I need a W124. Will certainly be my next car. Sadly I must sell the Squash first. Gotta fund it somehow......
I know they have far less personality than a W123, but heck, I have 4 of them and 0 W124's. Need to even that up a bit.
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'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John
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  #10  
Old 10-22-2008, 10:46 PM
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I really like my 124 car. Smoother, quieter, and more powerful than the 123. It's slightly more complicated than my 123 but easier to diagnose than the later cars like the 210.
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Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
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  #11  
Old 10-22-2008, 11:04 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JimmyL View Post
I need a W124. Will certainly be my next car. Sadly I must sell the Squash first. Gotta fund it somehow......
I know they have far less personality than a W123, but heck, I have 4 of them and 0 W124's. Need to even that up a bit.
Not to hijack this thread, but I still haven't been able to see that w124 that is supposely for sale here.
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Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
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New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
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04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more
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  #12  
Old 10-23-2008, 04:43 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by daw_two View Post
Not to hijack this thread, but I still haven't been able to see that w124 that is supposely for sale here.
I am looking at a 1992 300D 2.5 Turbo Diesel located about an 2 hours driving time from my home. Details in my first post.
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  #13  
Old 10-23-2008, 07:03 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by billhard View Post
I am looking at a 1992 300D 2.5 Turbo Diesel located about an 2 hours driving time from my home. Details in my first post.
Sorry for the confusion, billhard. JimmyL wants a w124 and there was one advertised locally to me for sale and I've been trying to arrange to see it. I think the owner doesn't really want to sell it.
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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
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  #14  
Old 10-23-2008, 12:13 PM
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I learned a couple more things about the car speaking to owner today. First it seems to have some what he called "minor" fuel leaks near injectors. I haven't seen a 602 motor up close but i assume this would likely be bad return lines. Second it has leather no MBtex, which he says is in great shape? hmm? Finally he had alignment troubles, which he says local mercedes indy repaired, with receipt, but the front tires have bad wear patterns. Sounds like the price will have to drop to make this deal happen.
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  #15  
Old 10-23-2008, 02:13 PM
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Leather in great shape is a plus IMO. Leather is fairly uncommon in the 124 diesels.

If the cloth fuel lines are leaking, quick and easy fix. If the injector lines are leaking or "delivery valve O-rings", not much more cost, lots more work.

Bad tires? Figure $300 or so for two new ones, provided the alignment is fixed and it's not bushings or ball-joints. The bad tires could have come from the rear also, look at the bushings there.

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