I live in San Jose, and on my casual driving around, I usually spot about one abandoned 123 every 2 weeks.

You guys and gals wouldn't believe these cars!!! No rust, no dents to speak of, and you could probably polish the paint and away you go! They might have over 200K on the clock, but the bodies, folks, the BODIES!!
When I think of what you folks in the rust belt have to work with, and they just junk and crush these perfect bodies, oh my goodness...I dunno.

I just wish there were a way to ship these out to you. You deserve them! I can crawl under any one of these cars and just unscrew the shock bolt, or any other bolt for that matter, even muffler bolts unscrew and you can use them again!

Oh, I wish there were a way.

__________________
Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido)
1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!)
1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!)
1977 Suzuki GS750B
1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold)
1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser)
1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
Solex Moped
1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"

I wish i could get one of those or even just a couple rust free parts. I hate looking at the rust eating away at my 240D.....

__________________
'98 C280 White on Tan

-=Santa Bring me a C43=-

I notice a lot of diesels sitting in driveways for years. I know of at least six right now. The people usually get tired of trying to service them and opt for a newer gas auto. I got my 76 300d w115 for $100 and now drive it daily. It needed about $600 of parts and DIY work. I am thinking of doing the same with an 82 turbo. The salvage yards will give $100 and tow it away.
My 76 had been sitting for four years. I put in new glow plugs, new battery, adjusted valves and it fired right up. At that point I knew I had a "runner" and did the rest of the work to it. If that hadn't worked I could have parted it out on E-bay and got my $100 back. To most people diesels are a pain in the butt, especially the older ones. They usually go to the dealer for service and the cost becomes prohibitive to them so they just buy a new car. I have heard this story many times. Usually with 120-160k on the odometer.

240 Ed,

Are any of these 123's you speak of 300 models? Are any of them good for parting out? I have a '83 300cd and could use some mics. parts.

Marks88

I'm looking for old 123's (can't find new ones ). I have a buddy in your area. Where are these cars? I have two teenagers now about ready to drive and I want to get them rust free, safe, economical, dependable transportation that I can service.

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

One of these cars, a 300D 123, sat for months on a city street with the window down. It was sweet, dark brown metallic, sunroof, no body blemishes, etc. One day it was gone and all that remained was a pile of leaves...

There are many salvage yards around here, and people routinely just drop off their cars in front of them and leave-key in the ignition, etc. I don't think the police give a damn if someone takes them, saves them money! But it is a risk, because you are technically stealing a car.
I just don't know the answer to it, but I do know that these cars end up at the local P&P !
It just seems a shame to part out these cars! When you folks back east put up with so much rusty stuff
I used to live in MI until I was 28, and know what it is like.

I bought a beautiful 240D for $200!
And just recently spent $1100 for an 81 300cd with "no reverse" at the local charity.

Would there be any profit in driving a truck full of old MB's back east?

Say, drive it into a Mercedes Meet somewhere? Would I get killed or sainted???

__________________
Ed
1981 300CD (Benzina)
1968 250 S (Gina) 266,000 miles!
1983 Alfa Romeo GTV6 (Guido)
1976 Jaguar XJS-saved a V-12 from the chevy curse, what a great engine!
1988 Cadillac Eldorado (better car than you might think!)
1988 Yamaha Venture (better than a Wing!)
1977 Suzuki GS750B
1976 Yamaha XS 650 (sold)
1991 Suzuki GSX1100G (Shafty Gixser)
1981 Yamaha VX920RH (Euro "Virago")
Solex Moped
1975 Dodge P/U camper


"Time spent in the company of a cat, a beer, and this forum, is not time wasted!"

Here in Austin the charity auctions always seem to have MB diesels. I have never hung around for one all the way through so I don't know what the prices are like but one might be able to pick up up very reasonable. Just buy it as a parts car and anything else is icing on the cake.