1981 300SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

godowning · #1 08-18-2009, 02:44 PM

What is the max you would pay for an absolutely MINT 81 300SD with 60k? The seller is asking $9,500. Looking at it again this afternoon. Thanks!

tangofox007 · #2 08-18-2009, 02:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godowning

What is the max you would pay for an absolutely MINT 81 300SD with 60k? The seller is asking $9,500. Looking at it again this afternoon. Thanks!

That's exactly what I paid for an absolutely mint '82 300D with 43k miles. Seventeen years ago!!!

seanarcher · #3 08-18-2009, 03:29 PM

the MAX i would pay with my finaces would be 3k for a mint mid MB 80's diesel.
i am nearly seven feet tall and riding around in those cars for more than 30 minutes causes me pain.i can put the sunroof(if equipped)back and aleviate the pain but the 8 months of hell/summer/heat/humidity in FL makes me want to drive into a ditch.I couldnt see myself paying more just because i would just hear the value decrease every time i drove the car too.sounds like you are in the market for a weekend fun car.I am in the market for a daily driver ,but if you want it bad enough I say buy it.Just dont count on being able to get what you paid for it even after a year.Spend a week IN FL.if the a/c doesnt work you can find a deal on a car.spend a few months and you can lose your mind if anytime other than winter.
if my finances were unlimited then i would have a stunningly silver 800hp extended cab cummins powered dodge truck that from i have read would be tame enough to drive in traffic daily and be qucker than a vette in the quarter and still get about 20mpg on the highway.

pawoSD · #4 08-18-2009, 03:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by seanarcher

the MAX i would pay with my finaces would be 3k for a mint mid MB 80's diesel.
i am nearly seven feet tall and riding around in those cars for more than 30 minutes causes me pain.i can put the sunroof(if equipped)back and aleviate the pain but the 8 months of hell/summer/heat/humidity in FL makes me want to drive into a ditch.I couldnt see myself paying more just because i would just hear the value decrease every time i drove the car too.sounds like you are in the market for a weekend fun car.I am in the market for a daily driver ,but if you want it bad enough I say buy it.Just dont count on being able to get what you paid for it even after a year.Spend a week IN FL.if the a/c doesnt work you can find a deal on a car.spend a few months and you can lose your mind if anytime other than winter.
if my finances were unlimited then i would have a stunningly silver 800hp extended cab cummins powered dodge truck that from i have read would be tame enough to drive in traffic daily and be qucker than a vette in the quarter and still get about 20mpg on the highway.

So then why in your other thread are you looking to buy one? It will be a tight fit in any of them if you are 7ft tall....my brother is 6' 4" and he has to put his seat at nearly the max rearward position (eliminating rear seat usage on that side) to even sit comfortably....I'd think anything over 6' 7" would be pushing the limits on fitting....

pawoSD · #5 08-18-2009, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by godowning

What is the max you would pay for an absolutely MINT 81 300SD with 60k? The seller is asking $9,500. Looking at it again this afternoon. Thanks!

I'd be too scared of driving such a nice one as a daily driver....that car belongs in a heated garage!

$9,500 is a collector car.....I'd say $6k is more reasonable.

There's a crazy person near me that has their 130k mile 1985 wagon with some rust and dents for sale for $9800....they are insane.

godowning · #6 08-18-2009, 03:51 PM

I can make room in my heated garage. I might even trade him my 02 E320.

tyl604 · #7 08-18-2009, 04:00 PM

I have an 81 300SD that I have owned as a daily driver since 1984. It is a great car and I have had very little problem with it. It has 255,000 miles. I think you should be very careful to make sure the car is as advertised. The mileage is almost unreasonably low. The seats, dash, carpet, and paint should show some age and they may be a better gauge of how hard the car has been used than the mileage. Take a look at the engine too, especially the motor mounts and see how much it smokes.

This is an absolutely fabulous model if you are OK with the absence of computer chips, air bags, etc. I am. If it looks like it sat on the showroom floor of a dealer, it may be worth $9500 but the value will be in use rather than exchange; if you buy it to drive, you will never recoup the $9500. If it looks really good but looks used, cut the price in half.

But before you do anything, take it to an independent mechanic and find out about things like rubber, seals, etc that could deteriorate over the years even though the car has not been driven a lot. Check the Hirschmann antenna, the vac door locks, and do not expect the tach to work. Make sure the AC has not been converted to 134a; it should be R12 Freon(think that's right). Check the defrost flaps that move air to and away from the windshield; they go bad and are a real pain to replace and also a real pain if they are not working. Check the sunroof. See if the seat motors work OK. Take it out on the expressway and make sure it will go from zero to 60 in about 12-14 seconds. Make sure the cruise control holds speed.

It's a great car and easy to work on; if it is as advertised, I hope you end up doing the deal.

barry123400 · #8 08-18-2009, 04:07 PM

The maximum paid for an old car by an individual depends very much on his or her circmstances. Proper storage is an immediate issue for many like me. I have run out quite some time ago. Money availability as well is a concern. Or what will the same money buy as an alternative?

Interest in older vehicles is high on the list. In otherwords I find nothing pricewise is written in stone. I guess much lies in the eyes and situation of the beholder.

Needless to say for any consideration at higher prices milage and condition have to be truly verified. You cannot trust the average car seller. It seems to be part of our culture.

Another thing a person should examine is in hindsight will I be happy with this purchase later. What needs of mine does it meet.?How much could I reasonably expect to recover down the road? Just so many more variables that do not occur to me at this time are involved. So the price is and is not on the high side.

Right now I am in no mood to spring around ten K for an almost thirty year old car. I might feel differently a few months from now. Already having too many cars keeps me out of the marketplace for example.

Until I am smart enough to sell a few off it might remain so. So in my circumstances I would not go more than three K on something like that. If I had no hobby cars at all perhaps a lot more. Supply and demand?

A car like that is usually not a daily driver at that kind of price anyways or anyway near that price. Milage aquired kills the value. Everyone tends to see things differently. Mind the rose colored glasses effect.

This to me is a seldom used hobby type car. Others might see it differently. I know this does not really answer your question. Just things that do not seem to always be considered before we act sometimes. They are elements that tend to determine an items worth to an individual.

kingdoc1 · #9 08-18-2009, 04:15 PM

Don't forget that regardless of how "mint" it is, it is still just a 28 year old used car.

It will still need work, many parts of the car degrade with age, not just use.

I have yet to see the a mid-80's used car that is worth more than $3-$4k. Of course, reality does not prevent some from paying more.

JimFreeh · #10 08-18-2009, 04:21 PM

It's worth what it's worth to you.

What else could you buy with the potential to run another 200K for that price? Of course, for that kind of money, you can afford to be very picky.

The other consideration is condition, if everything is indeed original on the car, and argument can be made that if you want to drive it, a higher mileage car that has has much of the consumables replaced will be a better value.

These cars do not pop up very often, most diesels were bought to run up the miles and it's a rare car that is genuine low mileage.

Jim

oldsinner111 · #11 08-18-2009, 04:25 PM

With that kinda of mileage,and all rubber parts replaced,flex disks,caliper piston seals,gaskets,new radiator,transmission seals,and k1,an b2 parts,garage kept,and soft leather.I'd pay $25,000

pawoSD · #12 08-18-2009, 04:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldsinner111

With that kinda of mileage,and all rubber parts replaced,flex disks,caliper piston seals,gaskets,new radiator,transmission seals,and k1,an b2 parts,garage kept,and soft leather.I'd pay $25,000

You could replace all of those things on your own for probably less than 4-5k.....

oldsinner111 · #13 08-18-2009, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

You could replace all of those things on your own for probably less than 4-5k.....

Ah yes buddy,but soft leather.

godowning · #14 08-18-2009, 06:25 PM

I went and saw the car again. We use the same mechanic and it was there having a few things done. My mechanic has done a lot of recent work and said it needs absolutely nothing. He did a valve adjustment, new motor and transmission mounts, new brakes, new tires, and new shocks. He also said it was the cleanest all around car of that vintage that he has seen in the last 10 years. I think I will trade my 02 E320 Sedan. I have no attachment to it whatsoever and I will get some cash too. Thanks for all the opinions! I will post photos if we can make the deal.

seanarcher · #15 08-18-2009, 06:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

So then why in your other thread are you looking to buy one? It will be a tight fit in any of them if you are 7ft tall....my brother is 6' 4" and he has to put his seat at nearly the max rearward position (eliminating rear seat usage on that side) to even sit comfortably....I'd think anything over 6' 7" would be pushing the limits on fitting....

i have a family and my wife would be the primary user of the merc i am looking into purchasing.i currently drive a diesel ram.i used to own a really nice 123 turbo sedan and enjoyed it in the winter with sunroof back.I have more than enough legroom in a 123 with the seat back,headroom is the concern.Ill put up with it since i am not the daily driver.the reliablilty and longevity of the motor is a big selling point with me.that and i can make my own fuel if i want to.My wife is driving a rust bucket 123 turbo now with 313+k on it right now.