New addion to the fleet -- WOW --- - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

71inka02 · #1 08-27-2009, 06:34 PM

--- “And yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus!” –
OK – I sold my 83 300D last winter, and just a couple of weeks ago, without intention (guy saw it, liked it and made me an offer) sold my 85 300SD…I decided it’s time to venture into a different MB Diesel world…the W124. I’ve been searching and checking out different available cars --- And I must admit, the 124 diesels are nice machines-smooth and responsive, with many updated ‘creature comforts’ – nice, very nice! But…Nothing I looked at ‘blew my dress up’…..and it just didn’t feel right.
While dropping a friend off at an Indy garage that specializes in VW & Mazda but works on all imports, I noticed the rear of a Silver W123 around the back corner of the building – I opened the fence, walked around back and took a look…WOW – nice car!
I went inside and inquired – “hey, what’s up with the Silver MB diesel around back, is it, by chance for sale?”...Indy owner said, “It’s been here almost a year, the man that owned it died and we’ve maintained his families vehicles for many years, and his wife has had a difficult time emotionally, selling his stuff…but I believe she may be ready to sell it because she recently called and asked us to check it over and asked for suggestions on the best way to sell a car that old”…I said, “so…how can I contact her?”
Long story shortened, a little – As of yesterday afternoon, I own it! I must admit – the ‘widow’…She’s no fool! She added new meaning to ‘haggling’ over a car, but seriously…she’s an extremely ‘neat’ lady…When I first drove the car, the brake pedal was soft so I mentioned it ‘may’ have some brake system issues that can be costly --- She then brought out the folder to determine when brake work was last done – detailed shop work orders back to early 2002, and then the maintenance booklet which shows the cars first dealer service inspection on 4-18-84 @ 1209 miles, and each and EVERY service afterward – on time, every time!! The book is complete without missing any scheduled service…It was at that moment, that my drooling all over her kitchen table took the focus away from a soft brake pedal – I showed my hand, and she so played it!!
I made her an offer – she, with awesome ‘southern charm’ refused it, and countered with her original asking price – I upped my offer, she again refused and countered with her original asking price…we did that one more time, and I paid her original asking price! BUT – back to the soft brake pedal…she called her mechanic, and asked him to check the car over and prepare it for its new owner to pick up on Wednesday morning - and “oh, by the way check to see if the brake pedal fells soft”? She called me Wednesday morning and advised I couldn’t get the car until later in the day ---- She was having her mechanic replace the right rear brake caliper – it’s leaking, and he’s also doing an oil change………..She then said – “you have the same love for that car that my husband had – I can see it in your face, I hear it in your words, and my husband would be very happy that you’re buying his car”… I was speechless, for the first time in my life…
When I bought my W126, I thought I had moved on – but my passion for the W123’s is still alive and very strong – And as many of you will acknowledge…it truly is an undying passion! The W124’s and later MB Diesels are great --- but not for me, not yet!
Car is an 84 300D – 142,000 miles, Silver with blue interior, dash has some cracks but I’m ordering an overlay. The interior is amazing with firm seats and the paint is superb…Car is smooth and strong, and the transmission shifts magnificently. Tread on tires is very good, but some dry cracking on the sidewalls will require new tires this weekend. My Indy looked it over this morning and found no issues – he even commented the engine is basically dry from oil leaks and dripping – but it has been sitting, and minor leaks could develop…No problem, I still have a bag of ‘oil dry’ in my garage from my other MB’s.
Thanks for reading, and for allowing me to ‘glow’ – get it? Glow, as in ‘glow plugs’…. Here are a few pics - sorry I haven't had time to clean it up...

mike-81-240d · #2 08-27-2009, 06:40 PM

Is it silver, or silver blue metallic? I think i see some blue in there!

dariod · #3 08-27-2009, 06:52 PM

How much did you pay for it?

71inka02 · #4 08-27-2009, 06:55 PM

It's Astral Silver Met - paint code 735, per the VIN de-code.

Squabble · #5 08-27-2009, 07:04 PM

great story and an excellent looking car!

is it me or is that temp. reading a little high? maybe it's just super hot in north carolina?

ImBroke · #6 08-27-2009, 07:10 PM

Temp reads cooler than my 85. Good score. Same color combo as my Federal 85. Nice story too.

71inka02 · #7 08-27-2009, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dariod

How much did you pay for it?

I've never made a habit of telling that publicly - Not being a jerk, but you've gotta understand, I may decide to sell it in the future - actually, this one, I won't sell...and I never know when my wife may walk in the room...I will tell you I bought it for much less than what the Goverment is paying for clunkers...

I drove it maybe 30 miles last night, and another 30 today and it's the best performing W123 I've ever owned - and this is my 4th one.

71inka02 · #8 08-27-2009, 07:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Squabble

great story and an excellent looking car!

is it me or is that temp. reading a little high? maybe it's just super hot in north carolina?

Not sure, and honestly can't remember what my 126 was reading these super hot days...It was 94 yesterday, and it was idling with the A/C blowing cold --- did I mention the A/C works and actually blows air from the center vents. That reminds me - I haven't tried the cruise control...wanna take odds if it works?

Squabble · #9 08-27-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ImBroke

Temp reads cooler than my 85.

jeez, with all my coolant system issues, i think i'm getting paranoid.

if mine goes above 83* i panic a bit....false alarm then!

that really is a great color!

71inka02 · #10 08-27-2009, 07:49 PM

Now you're making me paranoid -- For some reason I'm 'blanking' out on what the 'norm' has been for my other's.....

Could this be the beginning a 'engine temp' thread...?

OK - talk about paranoid...In reviewing the service records for this car, and looking at the original papers that came with the car, which by the way are really neat - there is a MB NA Dealer Directory dated 12-15-83, a fold out MB Technical Specification list for all 1984 models, the red hanging card w/ instructions for cruise, the blue hanging card w/ instructions for heat/AC operation, 1984 MB Roadside assitance program information, fold out instruction card for Becker Grand Prix radio, Hirschmann Antenna cleaning cloth - never opened...and know back to the paranoid thing I mentioned - There is a "Factory Approved Engine Oils, Coolant-Antifreeze and Brake Fluid" information sheet/card --- It actually lists Quaker State Motor Oil as being approved...The dealer used Quaker State oil in this car until March of 1995 @ 73,688 miles - then it shows using Mobil.

I'm sorry, but I have issue with Quaker State Motor Oil...could be because my father hated it...who knows. But it does sadden me to know that MB listed it as "approved".

JimmyL · #11 08-27-2009, 10:21 PM

Very nice story and an even nicer car!! It adds personal value to a car when it has a history, and the service records/history is a huge plus.
Now, I doubt any of us will have you bargain for us in the future......

Chad300tdt · #12 08-27-2009, 10:32 PM

Congratulations! Nice car.

You could drive it to my GTG next weekend and show it off.

71inka02 · #13 08-28-2009, 06:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chad300tdt

Congratulations! Nice car.

You could drive it to my GTG next weekend and show it off.

Chad300TDT...I've been following the developments of your GTG, and actually did consider a 'break in' road trip - ?

Send me a PM with address and hotel suggestion....I'll look at schedule and may see if I can do it...

kmaysob · #14 08-29-2009, 03:11 AM

nice looking car

LNGfish · #15 08-29-2009, 12:22 PM

I'm glad the lady fixxed the brake issue. Now that's a sort of person I'd like to deal with.