Took the plunge! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

1stimer · #1 11-21-2002, 09:27 PM

My search is over! Enrique checked out an '84 300d for me today, and gave it the thumbs up...so it's mine. Never EVER bought a car sight unseen before. Not even a pic, so I'm a little nervous, but the colors were right and the report from my father, and Enrique was good. 164k miles----1 owner--------$2700. Enrique is going to replace windshield and do lower control arms. He is going to leave the upper control arms for me as my first DIY project. My father said he'll ship it to me in exchange for being able to drive it for a month, so I jumped on that offer. All total it's gonna cost me a little over 3k. He said it needed one other minor thing on the rear...can't remember right now, but it was minor. These cars are new to me, and I hope I'm not getting in over my head. I've owned hondas all my life, but don't feel safe putting my new baby in my acura. Now if I can just sell my acura for 3k I'd be switching cars with little out of pocket expense. I'll keep ya posted...Thanks for everyone's help with my search.

suginami · #2 11-21-2002, 09:39 PM

Excellent result.

If Enrique gave it a thumbs up, then it must be a solid car. He is an extremely talented technician and you are lucky that you were able to get him to give the car a once over.

Post pics when you get it.

Dana B. · #3 11-21-2002, 11:04 PM

Congrats! Is that the same Enrique, owner of Mr. MB in Tarzana? I have heard he's very good and have been meaning to pay him a visit.

Joe Blowe · #4 11-21-2002, 11:37 PM

1stimer,

How much is Enrique charging you for the windshield replacement? New or used glass? Does he do it himself, or does he use a subcontractor?

I'm in the market for a new windshield (tree branch fell on my baby during the first storm of the year

), and I've been meaning to drive up to Tarzana to meet Enrique anyway. If the price is right I'd rather give him the business, than some local all-purpose glass dork...

#5 11-21-2002, 11:37 PM

Congrats, I'm sure you will love it. I know I miss my 123's.

psfred · #6 11-21-2002, 11:48 PM

Your Acura is going to feel like a tin can after you drive the benz for a week.....

Congrats, you will not willing part with that W123!

Peter

1stimer · #7 11-22-2002, 01:25 AM

Yes Enrique at MR MB in Tarzana....Great experience. He has a guy that comes in and does the glass...He quoted me 365 for Top Quality New windshield replacement. I'm gonna have him do some other things too while it's there. He is gonna fiddle with the vaccum for hard 1-2 shift, as well as items I mentioned. Another thing he said needs fixing is a leak in the injector pump. I was very scared after I just got finished talking to a mechanic here in Hawaii who tried to steer me away from buing a 300d due to the failing injector pumps. Enrique assured me that it could be fixed easily. The car is a grey that my father described as being neither dark nor light with an interior of butterscotch. So, maybe metallic grey with palamino int? Enrique also test drove it with my father in it. Dad says, "Enrique put the car through it's paces...scared the s hit out of me actually." I got a chuckle outta that one. Damn, now that I'm adding everything up I think I'll end up paying Enrique close to 1000 bucks. When I first drive it though I don't want to be dissapointed, and I might as well take advantage of Enrique while I have him.

jcd · #8 11-22-2002, 08:23 AM

Glad to see your patience paid off. You'll be in heaven when it arrives.

Pics asap please.

JCD

suginami · #9 11-22-2002, 12:35 PM

Excellent. You can trust Enrique. He is honest, fair, and incredibly reasonable. His hourly wage is only $60 / hour! Heck, Pep Boys charges $60 / hour.

Plus, Enrique loves and knows the diesels. He has owned a diesel Mercedes for most of his adult life. In fact, he kept his last one at the shop as a loaner car for customers to drive home. One customer loved it so much that he persuaded Enrique to sell it to him.

Three weeks ago when I had my car in for a service, he was relating to me how much he regretted selling the car. It was a W124 diesel.

He asked me to keep my eyes peeled for a good, cheap one if I see one that needs a "little bit" of work.

Regarding your interior, it can't be parchment, which is a very light cream color.

84300DT · #10 11-22-2002, 01:00 PM

alllriight!! another '84 - you won't be sorry

Dana B. · #11 11-22-2002, 02:08 PM

Great story about Enrique. I have a w124; for that reason maybe I should stay clear of his shop

.

suginami · #12 11-22-2002, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dana B.
Great story about Enrique. I have a w124; for that reason maybe I should stay clear of his shop .

hahahaaaaha, so true, but then on the other hand, he may give you an offer you couldn't refuse.

engatwork · #13 11-22-2002, 04:50 PM

Way to go 1stimer

. You will like the way it drives. A more "solid" feel versus the Honda/Acura line.
When you move to Spain you are more than welcome to leave it here at the house if you want and I will keep the battery charged for you.

1stimer · #14 11-23-2002, 02:41 AM

I was running out of patience, I think it was more my persistance that paid off. Two quotes come to mind about this car purchase.

1. Persistence overcomes resistence.

2. One man gathers what another man spills.

Grateful Dead fans should recognize the latter quote.

I gotta get my father to take some digital pics....I cant wait a couple of months.

I hope you all realize my ignorance will be quite glaring when it comes down to the repair work and maintenece that will be required, but one of the reasons I bought this car was to force myself to learn how to fix and maintain it. With your help, I am hoping to be able to keep up with most things that come up, and in turn help others.

Aloha

rdanz · #15 11-23-2002, 11:19 PM

Good luck with your "new" car you won't be sorry easy to maintain just remember the saying "If it ain't broke don't fix it"and you can't go wrong