'99 300TD worth it? how much to pay?
 

A dealer in town has a '99 300TD with 74k miles and they want $16k for it. The car is nice and looks sharp, but it does have some issues.

It is black with gray MB-text interior. Upholstery is OK, but rear seats backrests are tearing at the seems.

It is leaking diesel. It seems from the injection pump; enough to make a nice puddle on the floor while idling.

The first time I drove it wouldn't shift past 1st or 2nd (depending on which setting you had on W or S). They took it to the back and it started to shift properly. The second time I drove it (a few weeks later) shifted fine; but it seems it is something likely to come back (dealer said it was from sitting there for a month; but they lie to the teeth).

Sunroof has rail issues (it likes to bend when going all the way back) and is missing the trim piece that pulls the cover back.

Suspension is a bit soft and wobbly, and needs new front rotors, but that seems minor compared to the other items.

I think the car is not worth more than 8k but thought I'd ask around the diesel gang for opinions.

Thanks,

Robert

I think that is too much. I mean at that millage the car would be worth that much if there were no issues. For that money you can get 99 diesel in perfect condition, I think. You just have to keep looking.

I agree. For a car with that few miles to have that many (relatively serious) problems is a warning sign – how many more problems are there that you haven't noticed yet? The sunroof is very expensive to repair as is the suspension if more than just shocks. Then there's the transmission, which could be just low on fluid (but WHY?) or $3000 for an overhaul. Sounds like the POs didn't keep up on the maintenance.

That car @ that condition is worth $3500 at max and I dont think its even @ 75K miles with all that problems, its more like 250K miles to me... $16,000 is like a showroom condition and that there is not a SHOWROOM condition

Trans is in limp home mode to protect itself. $3000 for a rebuilt at an indie and $6k at the dealer.

The fuel leaks are pretty easy to resolve. Couple hundred max if you are handy.

Have them replace the trans, brakes and repair the sunroof and then offer up to $10-12K because of the low miles. Get the AC checked as part of the deal too.

Great engine, meh chassis. The 210's seem to fall apart after they get over 100k, however a 300TD 210 is very rare. KBB puts it at $16K in excellent condition, which it obviously isn't. Try to talk them down to $8K because they probably only paid $6k for it, or full price only if they repair all damage. They probably won't budge as most stealers have no soul, so you may have to wait some time for a reasonable price.

HALF of what they are asking would be waaaay too much!!!

Thanks for the feedback!!!
 

Thanks for the quick feedback, its a good sanity check. For a moment I was very exited about the car but you guys are right. The car is at the stealership so I doubt they will fix anything and likely just throw it into the auction. I will try to pick it up for wholesale but otherwise just let it go.

Robert

I don't think this is a wagon. AFAIK, Mercedes didn't put a diesel in the 210 wagons, they're all gassers. The OP probably meant "Turbo Diesel" when he wrote "TD."

See everyone, there's an example of a kind and appropriate response to the "TD/Turbodiesel" debate... :)

And, to the OP, 16k is way at the top of the scale for a mint, low mile example with all the regular issues - GP's, control arms, climate control, trans, etc.. Everything addressed!

That is what I was assuming until I read someone saying that the book for a 'TD' showed 16k.

I was just about to look it up to see if one really exists but it seems like this has been answered.


I do agree that 16k is WAY too much for that car. Most 95-99 diesels I've seen are UNDER 10k.

Granted this 99 has high mileage but it is priced low at $6200-
http://www.findcars.com/a.php3?q=344806
But there is also a 97 with 117k for only $7900 at the same place. So it seems this car is really overpriced.

Keep in mind that between '97 and '98 these cars got the turbo so the percieved value is higher. There was a guy on here selling his '99 a while back for a very reasonable $9500. I think it was in the "for sale" section on this board.

One of our members clean looking 97 recently sold on eBay for $5700 with 145k, lumbar seats and a few other options not normally seen on E300's.

I would simply interject that miles on the odometer mean nothing. I would not trade my E300 with 172K for one with 100K less if I didn't know its service history.

A well documented, well serviced car with higher miles is a much better deal than a low-mile car that has problems at the same price. I have said it before and I will say it again. These cars, when properly kept will go 200-300K miles easily...when abused though watch-out!

An interesting comment
 

From this, may I infer that earlier MBs, perhaps peaking with the W123/OM617, were more tolerant of abuse (poor maintenance) than later models?