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Old 02-10-2010, 02:44 PM
John T. Chance's Avatar
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Location: Harpers Ferry, WV
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New guy questions

New guy to forum, MB & diesel here. I recently moved and started a long, 99% highway commute and started thinking diesel MB as a 2nd car. Been searching and reading and old posts trying to get up to speed. The one thing I am having a hard time with is figuring out what is a decent price. I try to look at the Kelly Blue Book to compare and completed Ebay auctions. Is there anything else? When looking in the 03-06 timeframe is their a rule of thumb mileage point where a bigger price dip should be expected.

Thanks for any responses, I've been enjoying the forum so far.

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Old 02-10-2010, 03:44 PM
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CraigsList might also give you an idea of what's out there.
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Old 02-10-2010, 04:06 PM
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MIght check the 'cars for sale' section of this forum.
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bio burnin' 83 300D, '83 300 SD, '79 240D
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"You cannot permanently help a man by doing for him what he could and should do for himself" Abraham Lincoln
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Old 02-10-2010, 10:31 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by John T. Chance View Post
New guy to forum, MB & diesel here. I recently moved and started a long, 99% highway commute and started thinking diesel MB as a 2nd car. Been searching and reading and old posts trying to get up to speed. The one thing I am having a hard time with is figuring out what is a decent price. I try to look at the Kelly Blue Book to compare and completed Ebay auctions. Is there anything else? When looking in the 03-06 timeframe is their a rule of thumb mileage point where a bigger price dip should be expected.

Thanks for any responses, I've been enjoying the forum so far.
There is no such thing as a cheap used Mercedes.

Buy one with lots of problems and end up spending alot of money and time to get it up to spec.

Buy one already up to spec and you'll probably thank yourself.

On the other hand, if you like fixing things like I do then you'll fall for the $1100 USD car.
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Old 02-11-2010, 08:21 AM
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Originally Posted by Codifex Maximus View Post
On the other hand, if you like fixing things like I do then you'll fall for the $1100 USD car.
I'll probably end up doing this it seems like I'm a sucker for new hobbies.
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Old 02-11-2010, 12:28 PM
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Location: Littlestown PA ( 6 miles south of Gettysburg)
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Originally Posted by John T. Chance View Post
I'll probably end up doing this it seems like I'm a sucker for new hobbies.
Be careful. This can be an all-engrossing hobby. I have managed to keep to one MB; many here are unable to do so.

First all, this is a great place to learn all about diesel Mercedes. Use the search function, learn all you can vicariously.
MB are wonderfully engineered cars, a fact you will appreciate as you repair/ tinker.
Perhaps the only fatal flaw is rust. If you can find one w/o rust issues, you are far ahead of the game. Rust only gets worse; it never improves on its own.
A car with a well-documented history, that shows up-to-date services is worth more than one with unknown history.
Mercedes/ are often identified by the chassis as well as their models. For diesel lovers, I think the W123 and W126 chassis are great starting points, even though they are getting a little long in the tooth.
Many people start with a 240D ( W123 Chassis). Its about as simple as a car can get, but with MB engineering. They tend to be weak on acceleration. Many stories about how slow they are in the archives. A/C controls are very simple. Generally its not a good idea to add a turbo to an engine not designed for it--the 240 is one of those.
Next step up is the 300D, also W123 Chassis. 5 cylinders, turbo charged.
The top of the line for this era is the 300SD, W126. Larger and with more electrical and vacuum controlled stuff. Some of the later years may have driver air bags; maybe even a passenger airbag.
A/C controls get more sophisticated ( and generally troublesome) as you move away from the 240D
Refrain from adding a "T" to the model designation to indicate "turbo". Although the paperwork may show it, it is generally accepted that MB did not use that designation. "T" was used as a model designation for "Touring", or as we see them, station wagons.
Anyway, welcome to the world of MB diesels. The folk around here are very helpful if you run into any mechanical difficulties. Just post your question, with pictures, if possible.
Resist the temptation to visit "Open Discussion"; that tends to get a bit rough.

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