Looked at a 300SDL today...

Ever since my uncle saw and drive my 300SDL, he is really hot for one.

So, I find one in a North Jersey newspaper, I give my uncle the number, he calls and gets the low-down on the car. 87 300SDL 220K miles, EVERYTHING WORKS. Nice inside and out, asking $5000. I tell him it sounds like a good price, lets go check it out.

We drive up there about 50 minutes, get there and from 20 feet away I can tell its a bad respray.

Guy comes out of his house, does not say hi or anything. I ask "original paint?" for the fun of it. He says "yes". HAHAHA. I wasn't about to argue with him, -yet-

I start it, open the hood, see the belt tensioner is not only shot, but the shock went really bad and the damn belt is violently bouncing all over the place. "belt tensioner is bad" I say, "Belt tensioner is brand new" he says, in a stone-cold face.

By this time, 3 minutes into meeting this guy he has blatantley lied about two things already and was in plain english a total prick. Very curt and sarcastic.

We take it for a drive, drives ok good power, shifts good. But, here is the clincher:

I look at the odometer, it says "235,400". Then, I see an oil change sticker in the corner of the windsheild, it said "Next oil change at 283,500".

I peel it off, hand it to my uncle as we stare at eachother in amazment.

Then there is a switch near the headlight switch, i turn it on and 3 LED's light up on the speedo face. I politely ask the owner "what's this for", VERY curtley he says "It's called a radar detector". By this time, I wanted to run his car into a tree.

I try the sunroof, it goes back and foward fine, but does not pop up right, the drip pan goes with it, not normal.

I say "well, your sunroof is broken, too". He says "sunroof works fine". "No, its broken" I say as I show him, he just rolls his eyes.

How can people expect to sell a car when you are a total prick to the potential buyers. Never has any seller displayed this type of behavior and i've looked at ALOT of benzes in my day.

Just though it was an amusing story, oh, and here is the ad:

MERCEDES 1987 300SDL: exc cond, $5000, new tires, Call (201)447-6125

Tires are NOT new. Drivers seat totally shot (springs and leather) climate control panel does not work right, sunroof does not work right, needs belt tensioner, odo. rolled back, I'm sure there is more I am forgetting.

[BWatson]

It really is amazing how much money people want for their garbage! When I was looking to buy in september, I called about an 83 300SD. The guy said it was sold but he had a 300D that was "perfect, ready to go." I asked how much and he said $2900. So I drove all the way to Hermosa Beach to look at it. First of all, it was a 79. I guess I never clarified that but all in all it was a total sled. The engine rattled like it was going to jump right out of the hood, nothing inside worked, and it had no, and I mean NO pickup at all. What a dick! I told him I was looking for and 82 and split. For $2900 he could've at least washed it! He told me to make an offer but I didn't bother because it would've been $200.

[jay123]

Damn.. That sucks!! I wouldn't have even taken it out for a ride if it even looked that bad. What a nightmare.
I guess this guy had the perfect attitude of an undertaker.


Jay123
87 300 SDL
84 190D 2.2
80 300 TD

I put a lowball bid in on this car...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/ebayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1810381008&r=0&t=0

Since it's within 45 minutes of me I figured I might drive to take a look. Soon after my bid I got a letter from another looker who had ran a carfax report showing this car had something like 240k on it. (Fl. emissions) so the odo HAD to be working at that point. This means that the seller or someone before him has either rolled it back and broken the odo or replaced the guage cluster. Since the buyer has misrepresented miles there is no telling what else is not being disclosed. Still might be a good $2000 car if it's rust free but doubt it will go for that.

The drivers seat does not show 160,000 miles, it should be in excellent condition with no cracks or wear on the bolster.

This guy called my uncle today saying if he's still interested to give him a call back. HAHAHA. PEOPLE!