Opinions Needed: '87 wagon trade? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ashedd · #1 06-11-2011, 04:20 PM

I am looking for opinions/advice on a trade proposition.

I found a guy with an '87 300TD(wagon) that he wants to trade for my '90 300TE. Normally I would trade in a heartbeat.

My TE is a very close to perfect, running, driving, looking example. The only thing it could use is rear brake rotors/pads. It's slightly oxidized and needs a good detail. Interior is very nice. Like I said: It runs/drives/rides/looks pretty darn good.

I dislike: the MPG's and 2nd gear start(I hate it in fact). Plus I am a little behind the M103 learning curve.

The guy with the '87 TD drove his car to my house to have a look.

His car: 300k miles(odo just stopped working), some sorta history with either a rebuilt motor or head. Runs/shift really well. Silver car with white "dog house"(fenders and hood), it was in a collision in the past. Interior(red) is "ok"(missing parts, cracked dash) but he says he has all the parts to put it back together. He claims to have had the interior professionally dyed, and it looks like it. It's very dark red. Just missing random trim pieces, PW button, PS switch. It's a project that he no longer has time for. It has 3 or 4 spots of small surface rust, no holes. They look easy enough to sand down and prime. A/C inop(not charged), my A/C works.

I went for a ride with him. Seems to need SLS spheres(harsh bumps), temp sat at 95 but he says it never overheats. Leaks nothing, uses nothing. Gets 30 mpgs

. Tach inop, ABS light on, bouncy speedo, shifted fine. No odd noises. Engine was a bit loud, no air box(gasser fender well) just cone filter. He has some service history. Was owned by a well know indie before him. The indie said the engine sounded too loud, so he rebuilt something(head/engine or both). Sounds like it needs an OVP to me.

So in the end his TD looks like a fair/average car and my TE is good/excellent. BUT it's an '87 wagon

!!!

I have been telling people that if I had an '87 wagon, I would be eternally happy. No chance in me buying an '87 anytime soon, so a trade would be the only option. I would trade him my '85 in a heartbeat. He said it was cool but was interested in my TE. Swapping my om603 to my TE is too much of a project for me right now.

The other guy is really nice. Has/had several MB's, trying to purge projects due to back problems.

Ideas/input??

It's an '87 wagon!!

sixto · #2 06-11-2011, 04:31 PM

Sounds like the TD is would fetch $2000 on a good day. What can you get for your car?

How does the suspension compare? Are you done replacing everything and have to get started on the TD?

Clean title? Resale value will take a hit with the accident history. Even without an accident report on Carfax you'll be hard pressed to explain the front clip not having matching VIN tags.

Running at 95*F might be a tired fan clutch.

Sixto
87 300D

ashedd · #3 06-11-2011, 04:59 PM

I got a really good price for my TE and that the TD is listed at 2800. TE's are not particularity valuable around here. I did not ask about the title, I thought about it but got to talking about other stuff. I was pretty much all over the place with my ADD, it is the only '87 TD I have seen in person.

I am not really interested in replacing anything on my TE. It could use rear brakes and perhaps front struts. I just drive it and enjoy the A/C. If it was cooler out I would drive my 5 spd 300D. I really need to take a look at why the a/c will not hold a vacuum on that car.

The TD was pretty un-molested under the hood. The bodywork looked pretty good. Only issue was that gasser fender well and the inability for the stock air box to fit. I dunno how hard that would be to fix. It's got brand new tires on it, but I said I wanted to keep my clk's

. Dunno why, they ride too firm for my taste.

Bio300TDTdriver · #4 06-11-2011, 06:06 PM

So you want an '87 300TD? Have you read through this document?

ashedd · #5 06-11-2011, 07:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bio300TDTdriver

So you want an '87 300TD? Have you read through this document?

yes I have. In my signature you will see an '87 300D, so I am very well versed in om603's. But the document is worth another read. Thanks

sixto · #6 06-11-2011, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashedd

I am not really interested in replacing anything on my TE.

I mean if you've already gone through the expense and effort of sorting your TE suspension, do you really want to invest the time and money again on a straight trade?

You might need $2500 in parts (if you're like me, time doesn't matter) to get the TD to the same condition as the TE. Can you get a TD in better condition if you sell your TE and add $2500 to the proceeds?

Sixto
87 300D

ashedd · #7 06-11-2011, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

I mean if you've already gone through the expense and effort of sorting your TE suspension, do you really want to invest the time and money again on a straight trade?

You might need $2500 in parts (if you're like me, time doesn't matter) to get the TD to the same condition as the TE. Can you get a TD in better condition if you sell your TE and add $2500 to the proceeds?

Sixto
87 300D

The TE was bought in it's present condition. All I have done is a tuneup and drain/vac/fill the a/c. I really wish the guy would take my '85 TD in trade

.

I kinda wish there was a cliff around here for the ole TD too.

EDIT:
I could easily find a mint(ish) '87 TD for 8-9K. Problem is I don't have it. My instinct is telling me "no" on the trade, unless the guy gave me about $1000 in addition to.

MTUpower · #8 06-11-2011, 09:41 PM

An engine is an engine. Your car sound like it's in much better shape but you want the other engine. I'd stick with the better car less wanted engine and spent money elsewhere.

engatwork · #9 06-11-2011, 09:45 PM

Quote:

My instinct is telling me "no" on the trade, unless the guy gave me about $1000 in addition to.

Sounds like you have good instincts in regards to this matter.

Jeremy5848 · #10 06-11-2011, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

Sounds like you have good instincts in regards to this matter.

Agreed. Your TE is (at least to you) a known quantity. The TD already has a bunch of things wrong with it and for every one the owner admits, you can bet there's another one he "forgot" about.

"NO" on the trade. Keep your nice TE and save up for a better TD. There will be others.

Jeremy

junqueyardjim · #11 06-11-2011, 09:58 PM

That is right old Buddy. Don't do it! Don't jump from the fire into the frying pan.

layback40 · #12 06-11-2011, 10:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Agreed. Your TE is (at least to you) a known quantity. The TD already has a bunch of things wrong with it and for every one the owner admits, you can bet there's another one he "forgot" about.

"NO" on the trade. Keep your nice TE and save up for a better TD. There will be others.

Jeremy

X2 !!!!!

Just keep on him about your 85. Maybe offer him some cash as well as an exchange for your 85. The TD he has sounds less than good.
Surface rust normally is more than that, it starts from the inside & works its way out. I bet there is no metal behind those bubbles.
He is very keen for some reason, he came to your place.

Codifex Maximus · #13 06-11-2011, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by junqueyardjim

That is right old Buddy. Don't do it! Don't jump from the fire into the frying pan.

Agreed.

Too many buts for me. This is messed up but.... that is messed up but...

The $1000 dollars on top might sweeten the deal but...

It's been wrecked.

vstech · #14 06-11-2011, 10:59 PM

I love the "gets 30MPG!" part.
My td is perfect, or as close as I can afford... I'd love to see 30. it's not happened yet, and my odometer works!
Get some details on exactly what was done to the "head" he may just know that some are looking for rebuilt head, and mentioning it to sweeten the sale...
casting above #14 is a good sign.
95 coolant temp is not.
loud could be tons of things...
I paid 2500 for my perfect TD, and I paid 500 for my "needs a few things" TD... (yeah, I have two 87TD's... )
with enough time and interest, you can find a better deal.

Aquaticedge · #15 06-12-2011, 12:41 AM

I would say no too. The ac system. chances are you'll need a compressor. that affair is over 1000.00 more if the core in the dash needs to be replaced. if you need suspension work all the way around. figure in another 1,000.00 the interior bits that are missing 2-300 maybe... Stick with your TE.