Is this the correct place to post this?

We have $3,000 into electrical & mechanical work but due to mechanic's error (unreimbursed) there's now a problem with the engine.

We've decided to part it out as we can't get much for it intact.

It's located in Statesboro, GA.

Prefer a trade for a mid '80's Chevy pickup - Silverado.

Thanks

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Well parting them out is not fun either! It is a lot of work, and you will still be left with a big glob of junk when you are done and you will usually have to get rid of that. Some parts are good sellers - some just aren't. And when you do sell something there is always the thing called shipping, and tho not difficult, it is not cheap. However if you are rural and can just let the car sit while you pull only the sold parts, that would make a difference. But if you have to move the car shortly and be stuck with the parts to sell - I'd say "Pass" on that. Sell it or junk it whole.

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

The paint and front end look nice in the photo. I would think better for someone up north w/ a rusted body to swap their good engine in. Of course, your engine may be fine and the mechanic just messed up something simple to fix. Best bet would be to find a Yankee who can pass thru on their way back from FL. I pulled one of my 300D's to San Diego for my son w/ our minivan and I could barely tell it was behind us, and that was over a 4500 ft pass. The 300D ran fine, we just didn't want to drive 600 mi in separate vehicles. I disconnected the driveshaft at the rear. So, somebody could do the same. But, even w/ nice body, don't expect to recover the $3K you spent on mechanics. They can suck you dry without always adding value.

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1984 & 1985 CA 300D's
1964 & 65 Mopar's - Valiant, Dart, Newport
1996 & 2002 Chrysler minivans

How much would you want for it, aside from a pickup truck?

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When cryptography is outlawed, bayl bhgynjf jvyy unir cevinpl.

We'd love $3,000, told the garage (who said he'd help us sell it but has done nothing) we'd take the first offer of $2,500, but now are hoping for $2,000.

The tires are nearly new, radio is new (not Mercedes), keylock mechanism is new, rear axle we had replaced I believe was new, rear boots, bunch of front end work new parts, I think the battery is nearly new, AC was working fine after work, etc.

There is a wrinkle on both sides of the rear as it had been in a fender-bender prior to us buying it. There's some loose trim and other cosmetics. Prior to the engine problem is was our son's daily driver 18 miles each way back and forth to town.

We have receipts for all the work.

WDYT?

$2K for a parts car with a bad engine is in LOL territory. Realistically you're probably looking at a grand or possibly less. A W123 is not a car you take to a service shop and expect to come out recovering your money. You're going to take a loss on this one unless you find just the right buyer.

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

There is zero chance we'll do anything but take a huge loss on this one.

We have documentation for $3,000. in work - there is more, plus what we paid for it.

I had a lead on a local mechanic who has one & wants parts from this one - he said he'd send a list of parts he wanted. I was going to suggest he part it out & credit 20% of what he sold towards what he wanted. He's not sent his list yet and may not ... who knows these days.

Meanwhile ... the alternative is someone trades us an 80's era pickup & no money changes hands ...

I'll ask the $64,000 question.....What exactly is wrong with the engine? Like it was said earlier, it might be an easy fix and you could be easily able to save the car intact!!

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2012 Mercedes ML350 Bluetec 91K (hers)
2005 Corvette 55K (fun car)
2002 VW Jetta TDI 231K (mine)
1998 Volvo S70 T5 Turbo 196K (kids)
1994 Ford F150 4WD 249K (firewood hauler)
1983 Mercedes 300D 376K (diesel commuter)

Didnt catch the error the mechanic made ,the reimbersable part is where in writing.I would pull that car home and get a local guy that is willing to decifer what is really going on with it and then sell if necessary.I think your being taken for a ride .He is saying how much you should get if you sell it ? If he is the owner have him in WRITING what service he has performed ,his cost ,and why the car will no longer run .Does the motor turn over?

I'm a yankee with a rusted out parts car with a fantastic engine...

interested to hear whats going on with it. obviously you enjoy this vehicle..

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'85 300D, 'Lance',250k, ... winter beater (100k on franken-Frybrid 3 Valve Kit)
'82 300D, 'Tex', 228k body / 170k engine ... summer car
'83 300TD Cali Wagon 210k, wife's car

There is also a "For Sale" area, and a "Parts" area. I suggest you post it in both. Maybe a nice admin will move it??

Given the body damage and now all that may have been done wrong by the mechanic that resulted in this condition, I'd say the value is $500 or less.

If you like the car, find another mechanic or get help on this list and get it running. Another possibility is that you buy another 123 turbo diesel sedan, and keep this as a parts car for the "new" car. If you've got room to store this car at zero cost, that is what I would do.

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

The OP has a couple of threads posted earlier this year on this car. They paid a hack mechanic a ton of money to seal up an engine that was leaking oil profusely. The oil leaks were never stopped and their kid (primary driver) ran it out of oil and now has what appears to be a rod knock or bottom end noise (OP never finished up their thread). Instead of taking responsibility for not keeping an eye on oil consumption on an engine known to be leaking a LOT of oil, they blamed the mechanic for "sudden oil loss" which likely never happened. Except for an extreme DIY makeover, the engine is likely a write-off. OP didn't say if they kept driving the car or not since the last thread in May. Hopefully it was parked and has a chance of being salvaged.

Full disclosure threads (since the OP didn't post them):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/385673-300d-leak-nightmare.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/386227-noise-bottom-engine.html

__________________
Current stable:
1995 E320 149K (Nancy)
1983 500SL 120K (SLoL)

Black Sheep:
1985 524TD 167K (TotalDumpster™)

Gone but not forgotten:
1986 300SDL (RIP)
1991 350SD
1991 560SEL
1990 560SEL
1986 500SEL Euro (Rusted to nothing at 47K!)

x2, and I'll add three words: "small claims court".

__________________
1998 E300 turbodiesel

America's Rights and Freedoms Are Not The Enemy!

We've gotten 2 second opinions - they say it sounds like a bent piston or something like that.

Our son loved it! He originally said he'd learn & do most of the work - but that didn't happen. We're just done.