If the $5K or so worth of 100K mile +/- necessary parts replacement and maintenance have been done to it, then yes. If not, I wouldn't have paid that much for it. The rust would be a deal-breaker for me. I would also have to have a detailed history to give that much for a car that relatively new.

With mileage that low, the price isnt too far off, especially if the seller is willing to perform maintenance for you. Get him to do the 100K service (or split it 50/50).

I see W210 diesels selling 4500-10000$ so you are in the pocket. At under 100K miles, that is just great.

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83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.

$12,500 or so is still doable for the right '98, '99 300 ETD diesel W210. With or without records, to the right retail buyer.

Joe ...I am confused...you say that a rust spot the size of a quarter would be a deal breaker for you????? then you go on to say that 12,500 would be a good price. The car has less than 100K on it, you are not going to find many of those around!!! I spoke to the mechanic who serviced the car for the past few years and was given the info on what exactly was done. The dreaded fuel lines have already been replaced as well as some normal wear and tear procedures that need to be done on a car, brakes and such.. I am not worried about normal wear and tear maintenance that a car needs......The diesels I have owned in the past..20 years.......

74 240D
77 300D
81 300D
82 300 Turbo diesel
93 300 turbo diesel

I think he's saying rust on the spring perches would be the deal breaker. so if any is found, you can walk.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Was that not a dealer recall?

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

Curious if the spring perch issue is something to check on the '99 as well?

Hey, ArgosPete, if it makes you feel any better, I bought my E300D this month... more miles, 150k and paid over $12k for it. I'm not much of a haggler, and I'm sure I'm paying for that as well. However, the body seems perfect. The car truly hauls a$$ compared to my venerable '82 300D.

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1982 300D, anthracite grey, 260k miles, Greasecar
1999 E300D, black, 160k miles, Greasecar
2010 Honda Insight Hybrid
http://www.chuckwyatt.com
http://www.wordimpressive.com

I have no idea where you are in the country, I suspect up north somewhere, but a rusting MB W210 that relatively new, without records would not garner $9,900 from me. The rust you found shows the car IS rusting. The question is where else on the car it is actively rusting.

A rust free example with the right miles and the right buyer can garner $12,500 or perhaps more if marketed correctly.

I would just pass on a rusting car that relatively new, that's all.

Joe ... I will agree to disagree with you....One small rust spot does not mean there are rust spots throughout a whole car....and yes I have all the service records for the car....as i had mentioned I had the car on the lift and inspected its every corner...

After you get a few miles on it to be sure all is in order get the ECU chipped. Performance improves dramatically with no downside that I can see. You might also want to disable the EGR (about $3.00 and 30 minutes following the thread in this forum) to help keep the intake manifold clean. Might want to determine if the glow plugs have been replaced. For future reference be careful when/if you have to change one - check the threads here as well. It's no fun if you shear one off...trust me!

I just wouldn't buy a pricey car like that with rust. The rust was/is a dealbreaker though, sorry. You asked, and that's my view of the car.