I've got a line on a great 300TD wagon; turbodiesel with around 250k; at 210k it had a new, rebuilt tranny installed by a MB dealer. Almost all receipts available from the life of the car; I've spoken with the owner and she's very nice AND informed about the car.
My question is rather simple: if a car has been dealer-maintained for its entire life up to recently, and thse receipts are available, doesn't it provide some insurance that there isn't a major problem? If an MB dealer noted major problems (such as major oil leak or defunct self-levelling suspension) during other service, it would usually be noted on the record, correct?
I've done all kinds of other research on these cars and feel I know almost everything about them but I've never had the opportunity to drive one because we're relatively out of the way up her in Northern Wisconsin.
Thanks in advance for your advice.

Dealer maintained car is a *very* good thing. They get every thing they need fixed every time they are in. They all leak some oil, its "normal". If this car has been dealer maintained all its life, and just got a rebuilt factory tranny put in 40K ago, this should be a great car. 250K is nothing for a well maintained 617 motor. Whats the price may I ask?

Oops, forgot to mention that this is in excellent condition with no rust, was custom-ordered with inca red metallic exterior and buff leather (not MB tex) interior, and comes with a CD player. All power accessories are working except the antenna mast (new one included with the car). It appears that I can get it for around $4500.00

Inca red and leather are both rare items on these 123's in the US. But I think $4500 is a bit steep. Talk her down $1000.

Thanks, Turbodiesel.
What accounts for some the high prices on ebay? Is it a convenience thing?
I realize that listing is different than selling, but it does seem that they go quite high, especially in excellent condition with paperwork.

eBay is funny. IMO, only 50-60% of the car transactions get completed sucessfully. Alot people are just bidding for the hell of it, I've gone thru it with deadbeat bidders many times.

I think even if you say your car is as minty and well maintained as you say, it's still a little over priced. We can't look over the fact that it has 250K miles, and while the drivetrain may be excellent there are some other things that will need attention in the future.

I paid $5000 for my '85 300TD with 3rd seat. Nearly perfect condition with about 6-7 minor things to take care of. The car had 201k on it when purchased six months ago. I would pay that again in a second. When compared with a mini-van think of what you get. You get 7 seats, better mileage, safer transportation, easy fixability and a car which won't depreciate much since you're not paying the big bucks. I think I could recover the asking price for another couple of years. I have put about 20k miles on it so far and love it. Hope this helps.

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Aaron, the moderator for Vintage Mercedes has a good one for sale fot $5,000. 260,000 miles.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=31929

Shawnster,
So...how did the negotiations go?
Were you able to talk her down a little?
If you purchased it, please post pics.

__________________
Current: '91 300TE 4MATIC 317k and climbing...
Former:
'81 300TD Wagon 168K "Tank"
'83 240D 216K 4spd manual "Da Bear" (aka best car ever)

"Never sweat the petty things...
and never pet the sweaty things."

I don't think minivans compare to TDs, but there is luggage space with 7 on board, an aisle through the cabin and an option to carry bulkier items than you can fit in a TD.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD
94 Toyota Previa

Shawnster,

Are we talking about a turbodiesel? Sounds like a great price as Don says if it's a turbodiesel.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

We finalized negotiations today at $4500.00 and I'm very excited. It will be a couple of months before I can actually travel to take possession, though, and as soon as I do, I'll post some pictures.
One of the primary reasons that I decided the price was OK for me was that I highly value the service records and other documentation coming with the car. She even has the original window sticker.
I'm also getting warm fuzzies because the car was used in a small business run by this woman and her husband (I can relate because my wife and I also run a small business). A little over a year ago, apparently, he suddenly took ill and died. She's selling the car because it just brings too many memories for her.
I'm also excited that with the inca red and leather interior as special order items I'm getting something just a little different than what's out there.
Anyway, thanks for letting me rattle on....
My wife and I always say minivans are the scourge of America!

I've had two mini-vans and sixto is right on in his assessment of more room. But it ends there. I love our TD and its still worth what I paid for it.

Why the wait for the car Shawnster?

Don

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

If I can get it earlier, I will! My wife and I own Uncle Oscar's Vintage Clothing here in Wausau (uncleoscars.com) and we're booked solid pretty much through April with estates and other commitments.
I'll be mourning the loss of the bimmer, though, as we intend to sell it eventually and only have the wagon.

So very hard to find any interesting old station wagon in the condition described. You have an interesting car for which parts/service are still available/affordable. It will still be running decades from now, when now-new minivans are gone and forgotten.

A friend of mine's father was a Washington DC area dentist in the '50s. He obtained his "daily drivers" for $50-$100 each from the garages of old homes in Chevy Chase. These included "senior" Packards from the '20s and '30s that were then "out of style," but which had been chauffeur maintained, lightly used, and often laid up due to wartime rationing. Among his other purchases was a Stutz DV-32 boattail speedster...another "daily driver."

The W123 Mercedes' are today's equivalent of these durable but undervalued classics. Even at $5k, you can consider the price a "song" when compared with the "actual" value this car will bring to your household.

Good luck and congrats!