Pricing for a 1992 300D 2.5 Turbo - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

L_Wheeler · #1 11-05-2010, 10:39 PM

Greetings everyone,

I'm new to the forum but not to the world of Mercedes diesels, I've been looking and decided it's time to purchase one. I'd like to find a W124, there's one that's caught my eye. It's about two hours from me but it's a 1992 300D 2.5, it only has 76,200 miles. It's at a Mercedes dealer and the asking price is $9,900, from the limited research I've done on pricing maybe around $6,000 OTD is reasonable. What do you guys think? Any input would be helpful!

Thanks

04 Diesel · #2 11-05-2010, 10:59 PM

76,000 is very low miles, but $9000 is too much. If it is in great shape I would pay $5000 But it better be great.

vstech · #3 11-05-2010, 11:31 PM

if it's at the dealer, it's likely that not only is it low miles, but it's one owner.
if it's got that low miles, and it's dealer trade in, and it's IMMACULATE, and it's in perfect running order, and all the factory maintenance is on record, and the dealer will verify that all the body bushings and suspension is replaced due to age, then it's a deal at 9K
otherwise, then yeah 5-7K max.

L_Wheeler · #4 11-06-2010, 01:32 AM

Thanks for the help so far, it's good to get some opinions from people who have more experience with these cars than I do. I'll be calling the dealer tomorrow or Monday to get more information on the car and to discuss pricing before I make the trip to go see it. I'll let ya know what the results are. Thanks again.

compress ignite · #5 11-06-2010, 03:52 AM

Used their highest ratings @ 77,ooomiles.

Please let us know what you do.

bobodaclown · #6 11-06-2010, 06:31 AM

An 18/19 year old vehicle for $9K is truly asking a premium.(I personally wouldn't pay that) CI hit it right on the nose. KBB and NADA are good resources. And there are 3 prices to be concerned with. Trade in value, Retail Value, and 3rd party sale value. (All can be provided by KBB.) The highest is the Retail Value which CI has provided. That came in at $5350. There's definitely room for negotiations.

kinghais · #7 11-06-2010, 06:51 AM

i think that's way too much. i was about to buy one this morning had about 200k n he was asking $1800 but when i called him few hrs later it was sold

shertex · #8 11-06-2010, 08:15 AM

As a point of comparison, I bought my 1991 300D from a private party in PA, very nice condition, 77,000 miles, for $4500 in April 2009. I know I got a great deal and would certainly have been willing to pay more.

While people can SAY $9,000 is too much (and it may be), I think the reality is there are people willing to pay a premium for that car with really low mileage in great condition. If I were looking for that particular car and it was the perfect specimen, I would be willing to pay $9,000.

They're FABULOUS cars....can't say enough about them. If they want that kind of money, make sure it's perfect, including working cruise AND an evaporator that's not leaking!

mech644 · #9 11-06-2010, 12:28 PM

I'm considering a '93 300D, 193k, as a daily driver replacement for wifes Odyssey. What should I inspect beyond usual (brakes, susp, underhood condition, do all accessories work).

sjh · #10 11-06-2010, 12:48 PM

Greetings,

I bought a 1990 with 150K miles this summer for $4200. Looking back I think $3800 would have been a more appropriate price.

I think (my personal opinion) that $9K is too high but that the prices KBB & NADA quote, if it really has that mileage and is in in excellent condition) are to low and the car could be valued in the $6K range.

They are great cars.

TGD

shertex · #11 11-06-2010, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mech644

I'm considering a '93 300D, 193k, as a daily driver replacement for wifes Odyssey. What should I inspect beyond usual (brakes, susp, underhood condition, do all accessories work).

Make sure the evaporator doesn't leak. And make sure that the car is not in the production range that had the timing chain problems. If I remember correctly, at least some of the 93's were in that range.

mech644 · #12 11-06-2010, 05:15 PM

Evaporator, as in AC? If it is leaking, run away fast or is it fixable?
Timing chain problems- does something break and cause to derail and then valves get bent?
Can earlier chain setup be retrofitted?
thanks for the response

compress ignite · #13 11-06-2010, 05:45 PM

1.Evaporator can be replaced,you just have to remove the complete dash to do it.(Also ,R+R Vacuum Pods when you're in there.)
2.Timing Chain Wear (Which for some reason we still insist on calling "Stretch")
can be measured and a new chain Rolled in.(Check Sprockets and guides at the same time.)

GSXR'S pre-purchase list for all W124 s.
(Nice inclusion of comments by Marshall Booth,)

http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_stuff/124.1x3_buying_tips.txt

shertex · #14 11-06-2010, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mech644

Evaporator, as in AC? If it is leaking, run away fast or is it fixable?
Timing chain problems- does something break and cause to derail and then valves get bent?
Can earlier chain setup be retrofitted?
thanks for the response

Yes, AC evaporator. It is VERY expensive to replace...about 16 hours labor, if I recall. The alternative, and the route I chose, is to use Cryoseal, a high-end sealant. Don't let people scare you away who say all sealants are snake oil. This stuff works well as long as the leak is not too large. See http://www.cryochem.com/r134a.php for details.

As to the chain, not sure what exactly the problem was and what the remedy is....others may chime in I think there was a TSB on it so may have been replaced under recall. Since it's an MB dealer that you're dealing with, they ought to be able to provide you with clear and definitive answers.

Just found details (copied from another post):

The "stretched" timing chains of 1993 engines are discussed in Mercedes-Benz Technical Service Bulletin Ref 05/91 dated December 1994. The heading says it applies to engines 602 and 603 in chasses 124 and 140, cars built between July 1992 and July 1993.
The bulletin indicates that affected engines may indicate one or more of the following: unusual noise form chain area, rough running, hard starting, loss of power, increase in oil consumption.

There is a list of specific chassis numbers in the bulletin. I have a copy I downloaded from Alldata. The chassis numbers are somewhat difficult to read but appear to be as follows:
For model 124, engine 602:
from B810470 to B999999
from D000001 to D025898
from J001335 to J01979
from F231885 to F266917
In the above list, the "D" could be a "C," it is very tough to tell.

for Model 140, engine 603
from A092142 to A155557

If in doubt, I would ask your MB dealer to check the bulletin for you.

The bulletin says that the chain should be replaced if the stretch exceeds 3 degrees. In that case, the timing chain sprocket is to be inspected. If the sprocket teeth are broken or worn as shown in the bulletin figures, the camshaft sprocket and injection pump timing sprocket are to be replaced. If the stretch exceeds 10 degrees, the pistons are to be inspected for damage.

The Bulletin does not indicate the warranty aspects of this. That is, it does not say who picks up the tab.