eBay - what do you think of this one? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 10-31-2002, 10:14 AM

I didn't win this auction but the buyer flaked out on the seller and now he has offered to sell it to me. I think it looks pretty good but I thought I'd post it here to get your opinions of it. The seller has told me that the engine has 120K miles on it and he just replaced the transmission with a salvage unit. He said the steering is fine and the braking has a little shimmy and he suspects the rotors need to be turned. The climate control works inconsistently as he can't figure out the controls. When he does get it blowing the heat and A/C work fine, the A/C was just converted to 134a. He hasn't noticed any leaks under the car, but he parks on gravel so he would only notice something major. The previous owner drove it from FL to PA with no problems and gave it to him to fix the transmission.

So, what do you think? I am returning to college in January and I really need something reliable that isn't going to cost me an ungodly amount of money to fix when the inevitable little things go wrong. I ran the carfax and it's clean. I think this is a great price - but then again I'm just a newbie to all of this so I don't want to get suckered. I'm really liking this car but being so close to starting school I'm just a little nervous to spend the money. It's really between this car and a used Saab (two different animals, I know), but as my husband says this car is probably better for me since I "drive like an old man". (Yes, that's what he thinks of me, he thinks a Saab would be wasted on a two-handed slow driver like me!)

Here's the link, tell me what you think.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1871029378&rd=1

#2 10-31-2002, 10:31 AM

Doesn't look too bad. But I would seriously think about having an independent MB mechanic look at it first--make an offer contingent on an inspection. You should be able to find a good independent not too far away from the car. An inspection will cost you some bucks, but in the long run it will be worth it.

#3 10-31-2002, 11:42 AM

A professional car guy who:
- can't figure out how to use a simple climate control system,
- can't tell if maybe there are leaks because of a gravel parking lot.

Assume that A/C will need attention and that car is leaving spots (I'd put $ on that one). It has been driven hard and put up wet. Transmission may spell trouble down the road. These cars are such excellent finds because they are good do-it-yourself machines. The $ required to maintain the car are reasonable if you aren't paying for most of the labor. And they run forever.

For the price it seems like a gamble worth taking. Just don't expect the world. The SAAB can be a fine car, but this model Mercedes is far less likely to ever leave you stranded.

And definitely have it gone over by a good mechanic. Good luck.

#4 10-31-2002, 11:45 AM

"The SAAB can be a fine car, but this model Mercedes is far less likely to ever leave you stranded.

Yup, you just hit the nail on the head with what I was thinking. That's my priority right now.

#5 10-31-2002, 11:54 AM

"The SAAB can be a fine car, but this model Mercedes is far less likely to ever leave you stranded.

Yup, you just hit the nail on the head with what I was thinking. That's my priority right now.

DieselHead · #6 10-31-2002, 11:56 AM

Stay away from the Saab. My family had an early 1990's 900SE Convertible (the newish body style) but HAD to junk it after only three years because of all the problems. They were mostly electric, but still, a problem is a problem. Several times the car wouldn't start because of a computer fault, it refused to recognize the stereo, the driver's power seat got locked in the far front position, and the convertible top stopped working twice. TWICE, I mean come on.

Stay away!

Alex

#7 10-31-2002, 11:59 AM

I like the SAAB. I've had two and will probably go back for more. But there is no comparison in durability and relaibility with the MBz diesel.

#8 10-31-2002, 12:08 PM

My husband likes the mid 80's old body style Saabs. There are two very nice four-door manual trans. Saabs on eBay right now that he was looking at for me. But I'm looking for reliability and longevity and I think I'll get that in the MB.

#9 10-31-2002, 01:01 PM

I asked the seller about the block heater. He just emailed me that the car doesn't have a block heater. According to the Carfax report, it spent most of it's early life in Texas so I guess that sounds about right.

How big a deal is this? I'm assuming I can install one. Is that a difficult or expensive job?

engatwork · #10 10-31-2002, 01:55 PM

There are more 80s/90's Saabs in the "pull a parts" place that I frequent than anything else. There must be a reason.

#11 10-31-2002, 03:11 PM

I don't believe that the 1984 diesel was manufactured without the block heater, in any model. He probably doesn't know what to look for. Just let him know how disappointed you are in the added expense you must incur to take care of the thing he can't find.

#12 10-31-2002, 03:20 PM

I will do that. Thanks for the heads up.

wheelguru · #13 10-31-2002, 05:55 PM

I am with everybody else on Saab v. benz. Both have their good points, but for me the benz has been a little more reliable. The parts are MUCH cheaper and much easier to find for the benz. of course none of my bicycles has ever left me stranded, and parts for them are even cheaper.

#14 10-31-2002, 08:34 PM

"I don't believe that the 1984 diesel was manufactured without the block heater, in any model. "

Hmmm, unless the rebuilt engine came from a different year mercedes?

djoyce emailed me back and told me a few more things that I hadn't thought about. The heating control unit isn't working and the antennae is stuck. Maybe the antenna isn't such a big deal but the heating control unit is. The seller definitely did not tell me about that even if I asked him if there were any other mechanical issues I needed to know about. He did make sure to tell me several times that he makes no guarantee about what happens when I drive away. Also, if he just replaced the transmission, why sell now? Why put all that money into the car and then sell it (for less than the tranny probably cost).

Something smells bad and it's not diesel fuel. I think I'm going to let this one pass.

Thanks for all your input. I learned a lot from you guys. By the way, TXBill, Dave says hi.

#15 10-31-2002, 09:39 PM

Transmissions are expensive, I just got my car back from the shop yesterday, and they replaced it with a used unit, but it still ended up costing $1,100. So your hunch about other stuff being wrong might be correct. Fixing the ACC can cost several hundered dollars, so that can be another problem.