300SD advice - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

cvgbenzlover · #1 12-10-2015, 11:13 AM

I just looked at a 1984 300SD with 115K miles, navy with tan leather (no splits in rear window or rub marks on drivers bolster - and yes it was leather not tex), one owner, all service records since new. It spent the first 15 years in NJ and the remaining time down here in FL. It ran and drove amazing. The paint and interior were in very good condition. The seats were firm, steering had minimal play, all windows worked properly, A/C worked great and all air moved to the correct locations as the temp was adjusted. No leaks (oil etc) It even had a working (including the cassette LOL) original radio. The owner has been very good maintaining the car, replaced motor mounts, vacuum pump, widow regulators, addressed typical seals for leaks etc. I could see no rust (jack points, front fenders, rear wheel wells, under body, bottom of doors etc, however there was some rust in the following places - bubbles starting where chrome is attached to the trunk lid and in a weird place - open the trunk, drivers side, 2 holes where the rear window meets up with the trunk about the size of a dime - (at least I have never seen it before in any of the many W126 sedans I have shopped in the past). I know this can be a common area for the W126 coupes, but did not know it was an issues for the sedans. This like my 300D will be a toy and doubt it will ever be in rain or poor weather once I own it... Would like some constructive input from the forum, would you run screaming from this car because of the rust? Oh and yes he wants an insane amount for the car 9K (at least I think it is insane considering the rust) - so your thoughts on a fair price would be appreciated also).

Thanks Mark

Junkman · #2 12-10-2015, 12:09 PM

Rust under the rear window will require pulling the window, repairing the hole and reinstalling the window. My 85SD has gotten worse but it has been 3 or 4 years that I've ignored it trying to get ready for paint.

The trunk lid can be replaced and painted for not a huge amount but it may be difficult to match the paint without a complete repaint. I personally think the car should be near perfect for that price.

I've seen very nice cars for 1/2 that price. If it was perfect, it still would be high. I would not buy but would wait for him to drop the price. If he doesn't come down, at least I'd still have my money. I wouldn't even give him an offer to use against others. Just say that it is more than I think it is worth because of the reasons mentioned above. Check back if it is still listed and perhaps leave your number.

Why is he selling after 30 years?

toomany MBZ · #3 12-10-2015, 12:37 PM

I agree with the high price, esp. with the rust issue/s.

However, that (rust) is not in a structural area, still beware.

Volvo Diesel · #4 12-10-2015, 01:08 PM

I'll agree with the others on price, and offer the following for comparison:
1982 300SD

Same/similar color combo and condition, with half the miles, "life-long Texas car" (which, if true, maybe means no rust) at the same price point.

Both seem to me to be very overpriced. $9K can buy you a nice '05-'06 CDI...

cvgbenzlover · #5 12-10-2015, 06:32 PM

Thanks for the feedback - confirmed what I was thinking as well. BTW, he is selling it because they don't really drive it anymore, wife has a 750Li, he has a big suv and a vintage Porsche 911 that he bought new in the 80s - that car was amazing BTW - black with gray leather and 23K miles - was a turbo...

Ray_R · #6 12-10-2015, 07:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Volvo Diesel

I'll agree with the others on price, and offer the following for comparison:
1982 300SD

Same/similar color combo and condition, with half the miles, "life-long Texas car" (which, if true, maybe means no rust) at the same price point.

Both seem to me to be very overpriced. $9K can buy you a nice '05-'06 CDI...

That Austin car says 67k miles in the ad. But the photo of the dash/odometer looks like it reads something like 89k.

I recently bought a really nice 06 CDI. It was certainly a lot more than $9k. Most nice examples around me are $14k+.

I also recently sold a REALLY nice 1979 300SD with 90k miles on it for $12.5k. But it had zero rust and was in exceptional original condition.

My point being if you want a top quality W126, they're getting harder and harder to find and you'll have to pay extra for it.

I don't know that I'd run from the car based on a couple of rust spots. Maybe take it to a quality body shop for an estimate to repair those areas. If it's a good shop, they'll be able to match the paint properly. The rest of the car sounds really nice.

Volvo Diesel · #7 12-10-2015, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ray_R

That Austin car says 67k miles in the ad. But the photo of the dash/odometer looks like it reads something like 89k.

I recently bought a really nice 06 CDI. It was certainly a lot more than $9k. Most nice examples around me are $14k+.

I also recently sold a REALLY nice 1979 300SD with 90k miles on it for $12.5k. But it had zero rust and was in exceptional original condition.

My point being if you want a top quality W126, they're getting harder and harder to find and you'll have to pay extra for it.

I don't know that I'd run from the car based on a couple of rust spots. Maybe take it to a quality body shop for an estimate to repair those areas. If it's a good shop, they'll be able to match the paint properly. The rest of the car sounds really nice.

Looks like 66,7XX to me, but you're right, the photo is blurry. Not sure I'd trust the odometer on any 30+ year old car, however, without records to back it up.

Someone who really wants a W126 may very well pay $9k for either example. Just like the person who purchased your W116; they must have really wanted one to pay $12k. At the end of the day a car is worth what someone else is willing to pay for it. When you're talking about paying almost $10k for a 30+ year old car with little appeal as a collectible, and with rust, I think you're talking about a limited number of buyers, and probably for good reason.

I too think the car the OP described sounds nice. But I wouldn't want to pay more than $4k for it, especially with the corrosion. It would be interesting to know what it finally does sell for...