It would not surprise me if another forum member grabbed it for that price.


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To the original poster, one of the worst things to do is buy a car with no service history because I know it'll need $2-3000 right out of the gate. With the car you're looking at, if the rubber bits have all been done in the past 5-8 years, then you won't have to screw with that stuff. The more that was done to the car, the less you'll have to do once you got it. $4000 seems fine to me - you're buying condition plus service history. You could easily pay $4000 for a polished turd elsewhere, then still put the $2-3000 into making it good again.

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1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Hey guys, small update here.

I just went over to the mechanic that's been working on the car since day one. Older gentlemen as well but very accommodating and nice. His computer only had records back to 2005 but it was plenty to see that this car was giving a lot of love and a LOAD of money. Just going back those 8-9 years reveals nearly $20k in small stuff. The only big ticket items I found were the paint job in 2005, driver seat redone in 2010 (looks brand new and perfect) and then a full transmission reseal in 06 because it was leaking. No trans rebuild, no major engine work, no accidents or body work at all. I think aside from the trans and engine nearly everything was replaced/improved over these years. If there was anything minor at all it was brought in immediately. Records also indicate that odometer is accurate and working. He's probably driven the car 60 miles in the last year which leads me to my last point... the car hasn't been serviced since mid 2012. This hasn't been out of neglect or sudden laziness, it's been due to the owner's on-going health issues. He's barely driven the car the last two years. That means though that it'll need some upfront money for a proper service to get it ready to once again be a daily driver. I'm wondering if I can use that to bargain further.

Anyhow, that's the extent of my knowledge of the vehicle. Hopefully that helps.

Thanks for the words POS, check out my post below yours... looking good on the records front! Also, the bumpers, rubber and trimming all around look nearly brand new.

Based on your recent posts, pay the $4k and take it home. Seems like a no brainer....for a car this well maintained.

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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Even if it needs nothing, if he drives it almost any amount of miles annually, he'll still be spending anywhere from $1,000 to $3,000 on it anyway each year. Which isn't an out-of-line amount to me to spend on an aged car.

Well, there you go......car costs a tad over $2K a year to own and have kept in repair, sans the paint and seat restoration........

An old car's worst enemy is not being driven enough to keep it spry and healthy. I would expect the target of $2K (-/+) out-of-pocket your first year is to be expected.

So, basically, it's going to cost you up to $6K to buy and drive it your first year.

I wouldn't risk losing the car to another buyer, if the car looks, sounds, and drives as good as it should - given your report. However, a car with 250K miles on it shouldn't be the be all, end all car to buy at any cost. See if $3,500 flies with the sellers, given it's miles.

Have you driven the car yet, and listened to it run?

Thanks guys. I feel much better after seeing all of the service records plus the ones I have in hand. I know it'll need money annually. I also intend on doing minor work on my own. This is my first diesel so I'm also eager to learn. Heck, even a brand new car depreciates at a rate of 1,500 per year or so. Either way you spin it, cars cost money. I just want to ensure I'm buying a vehicle here with history and integrity. I'm hoping and planning to keep this thing on the road for many years to come and will be putting in as much love as the previous owner. He's also happy to see it go to a good home. We'll be finalizing the transfer on Wednesday. The plate situation is a bit more complicated because he has DP plates on there now so I need fresh plates. Only is I could use the mid eighties California sunrise plates to match the vintage! I don't believe the DMV allows this though.

Photos to follow later this week

Hi Skid Row Joe,

I've driven it twice now for longer periods of time both roads and highway and it felt fantastic. I called the owner's wife today and left a message. I intend on talking to her about to possibility of coming down in price giving that it'll need some servicing out of the gate.

I think you're fortunate to have found an MB diesel with the pedigree of a one-owner and care. You've driven it a lot, and slept on it at least one night. The people seem to have appreciated you as a buyer letting you drive it and visit with it's mechanic. Sounds all good to me. Glad to hear of a buyer that appreciates the MB diesel car for what it can represent to it's owner, and found a very nice one to boot.

Thanks for the words. I'm looking forward to it. I'll keep you updated and am hoping to have some pictures later this week. Thanks for the encouragement.

Another quick update:

I got the car home. The drive from Pasadena to mid city was fantastic. Before leaving I swung into a Mercedes indy to double check all fluids with a quick walk-through. I'm leaking a tiny bit of power steering fluid. I need to replace the hose there. Fuel filter is a bit on the dirty side so that's on my todo list right away. Otherwise he said I had a fantastic car in my hands. He was impressed with the state of things given the milage. Also, on a whim I decided to pull out the back seat cushion to see if my 84 had the emergency trunk pull. Turns out it did! I was able to get into the trunk. Spare and tools were in there along with some nice surprises. A OEM Mercedes car cover, two window shields, a club, a car vac and a bag full of fluids and tools including some jumper cables. Called the wife and she happily told me to keep them all.

From the looks of it the key, when turned all the way counterclockwise and pushed, doesn't fully open the trunk latch. I'm unsure if this is a problem in the anti-theft system (I believe this was the first year for this) or just a worn out part. I need to pull the emergency cable every time that I want to access the trunk for now. Any thoughts?

I plan to take it in tomorrow for a full service and solid look around to ensure that it is daily driver ready. From there I intend on learning the standard maintenance on my own. I'll post some photos tomorrow during the day along with some questions regarding the trouble spots that I first outlined in my earlier post. I must say that I am very pleased with the purchase. The car rides like a dream.

If anyone has any indy recommendations around my area (Mid City) I am all ears. Thanks!

there should be 2 keys, one is rounded and one is square, the square one should be used to unlock the trunk, you turn it CCW then turn while pushing..... I think that's it, too cold to run out and check LOL. the rounded key is the valet key so you can secure the trunk and glove compartment.

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"NEW" 1984 300D TD needs some love

Hi yvairguy,

I've tried the master key to no avail. I bought the car knowing the trunk was "stuck". After opening with the emergency cable, I can see when I use only the key and push it will not move the latch far enough. If I pull the emergency cable then use the master key it works. My thoughts being possibly something up with the anti-theft system is because that emergency trunk access cable is meant to bypass the car's anti-theft. Key and button access work fine in conjunction with the emergency cable being pulled (need two people) but not on its own.

I really appreciate this statement from SRJ, I feel the exact same. Your story is not unlike many stories about these cars. Owner purchases them new and keeps them for years before they are unable to drive them and they sit without regular use. Very few people keep a car for 30 years and don't lavish love/service on them. You are very luck to find a one owner car, that car is worth every penny of $4,000.

Just an FYI I paid more for my current 84 300D, same story. Original owner, mine only has about 140k on it but sat for a few years while the original owners health declined. When my indy put it on the lift the first thing he said was "Man someone has spent alot of money on this car". I then proceeded to spend another $2,000 to make sure it was daily driver worthy. I'm also pedantic so I made sure every system was working as designed. (Cosmetic things as well: new floor mats, new headlight doors, new grill insert, buff/polish).

Enjoy the car, sounds like you got a good one.

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2001 G500 (45k and counting)
1991 350SDL (211 and counting)
1998 C43 (50k) Silver/Black (sold)
1995 E500 (40k and counting) Pearl Black/Anthracite (sold)
1991 300CE (50k and counting) Silver/Black Cloth (sold)
1983 300D - 79k Classic White/Blue Leather
2002 E55 Obsidian Black/Black
1996 S600 Coupe - 75k Black/Black (traded)
1984 300D -145k (sold)
Silver Blue Metallic/ Blue Leather
1985 300D - 87k (sold)
Manganese Brown/ Palomino Leather
2005 E55, 50k(sold)
Flint Gray/Black