84 Mercedes 300SD - considering purchase - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

86560SEL · #1 11-15-2003, 01:34 AM

Hello. I have now found fairly local 1984 300SD I am thinking of buying. It has 292K, but the seller claims that it is very well maintained and it is said to be in "outstanding" conditions. From the photos- it looks very nice. It has the airbag option and ALL power options/features are said to work. The car is gold with brown interior. I can get the car for $2500. Is this a good price for this car, or is it a little steep? Seems OK to me, but not sure.
Are the 84s one of the better 300SD's? Any information appreciated.

There was a 84 300SD locally that sold for $1500, but it had 350K and had bad paint. There was also a moderately hail damaged 83 300SD, with 224K that sold for $1800. There is also a 81 300SD locally for $1500, but I am unsure of the condtion on it. Any information appreciated.

The Warden · #2 11-15-2003, 03:34 AM

For $2500, I'd make sure to get the drivetrain checked out (compression test, make sure the tranny's acting happy, etc), but if everything is truly sound, I think that's a great price!

It would be worthwhile to check out the '81 first, though; that car could be in just as good of a condition and the owner just doesn't know what he has...

Just my $.02

Good luck!

vwbuge · #3 11-15-2003, 04:36 AM

service records! look at all the records. If you feel satisfied with the documentation, buy it. With that many miles and no service records I would stay away from it. I bought my '85 with 263,000 miles showing but you would never know it. The car was originally bought in CA and came with dealer records up to 100,000 miles. After that they are personal records....pages of them. The car now has 300,000 and no major service or problems to speak of.
GOOD LUCK!

86560SEL · #4 11-15-2003, 09:43 PM

I have again contacted the seller by e-mail to see if ALL of the service records are available. I would bet that if I offered them $2000-$2200. they may accept. The car looks to be in immaculate conditions.

I wish I had of bought that other local 1983 300SD w/220K for $1800. The moderate hail damage on the body kept me from buying it. It also needed a heater/AC blower motor, or work on that one. That car ran perfectly and the transmission shifted good. It was a firm shift, but not overly harsh like some of the early 300D's I have driven.

My uncle was a new car auto dealer for many years (late 70s thru late 80s) until he got his own car lot. He said that typically the best car I can buy is a Mercedes or a Volvo.
I have had several Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys that were excellent cars.

Thanks again for the information.

86560SEL · #5 11-15-2003, 10:04 PM

Here is a photo of the car-

86560SEL · #6 11-15-2003, 10:07 PM

And another photograph-
84 300SD w/292K.
$2500.

Any input appreciated.

vwbuge · #7 11-16-2003, 06:45 AM

The car at least looks very good. You want to be at least sure of three major components, engine (at least the top end), turbo and tranny.
I am pretty sure a rebuilt turbo can be had for $300.

86560SEL · #8 11-17-2003, 01:31 AM

Thanks. Well the auction ended (car was on E-bay) and the bid went up to $2200. I was actually the higher bidder, but reserve was not met. The next highest bidder was a $1800. bid. Since it did not go above $1800 (next highest bid) - I feel that perhaps $2500 may be too much for this car. My uncle- who used to sell these new back in the early to mid 1980s said these are about the best cars made and this one is just getting broke in @292K.

He said I should consider this car. I have seen the mileage as high as 400K on some of these cars on E-Bay. He said he knew someone that had 900K on a 300SD.

I offered the owner $2500. if the auction did not meet reserve, but as mentioned- now I have second thoughts since it did not go nowhere near $2500.
I am going to look at a 1993 Honda Accord EX stationwagon and a 1997 Honda CR-V SUV tomorrow as well. I know that Hondas and Toyotas are also excellent cars- as I have owned several over the years, but I really want a 300SD. Just not to many on the market around here. I test drove a 1997 Toyota Camry LE the other evening, but it was overpriced. Actually- it was $600 over KBB retail value - which is a very high mark-up. They offered me good trade-in for my Taurus, but had the Camry priced so high- I would havejust been giving them my car, as the car is only worth about the $4800 difference they wanted.
Any thoughts appreciated.

pj67coll · #9 11-17-2003, 01:47 AM

I dont see the logic in losing out on this car because of a mere three hundred bucks. If the things as good as it looks I think you would be doing yourself a disservice to lose it because of such a trivial amount.

- Peter.

nhodges · #10 11-17-2003, 02:08 AM

The paint is not perfect on my 84SD , but I would nor sell it for $2500. It has 370K+mi on it and I would drive it anywhere just like it sits. It is a solid car and worth more. If you can get that car for $2500, all, things being equal and a PPI checks out, you should buy it. Records are important but not the end all. look at the car, drive it, check under the mat and carpets. Look in the engine compartment. You know when you are being snowed. Mine had 194K+ on it when I bought it and the dealer had absolutely no records. None. If you are not familiar with these cars and cannot evaluate it yourself, get a PPI even if you have to get it done by a dealer. Do not expect a car that you won't have to put a few bucks into to make it your own.

#11 11-17-2003, 02:36 AM

Steer clear of the Honda CRV, thery are underpowered (Even compared to a 300D) and I have never heard anything good about them except the price.

engatwork · #12 11-17-2003, 07:05 AM

We have had a '97 CRV since new and have had absolutely no problems with it (currently at around 135k miles) other than replacing brakes and tires as required. I don't think it is underpowered at all but then again all I ever drive is diesels

.

ktlimq · #13 11-17-2003, 04:23 PM

MB put seat belt pretensioners for driver and front passenger on all of their passenger car models since 1984.

Yours may have them too.
At that time, there weren't many models with safety belt pretensioner.

You would not find seat belt pretensioner even in 2001 Honda Accord.
In addition, many late `90 Honda Accord have no ABS in the US. In 2001 Honda Accord (in USA), ABS is available only in the upper trim lines. In contrasst, you will find ABS on every MB cars 1992 and later.

MB had been at the forefront in safety. So even if one buys an old model MB, the car's safety level is not too much behind the times.

About diesel engine:
in 1970's, the MB diesel taxi in Germany ran about 400000 miles on average with original engine. The engine lasts long.

The MB transmission is not too poor, I think. My 1992 W124 diesel, 226000miles, has original transmission.

Now at the dealer to repair transmission reaction valve leak, since last Monday. The dealer is very slow. It took several days for the dealer to get parts: they received parts today.

86560SEL · #14 11-17-2003, 09:01 PM

Thanks for the additional replies. I think I may drive down and take a look at the car on my next day off. The car is about 110 miles away.
I drove the 93 Accord EX wagon today. It is actually a nice car. In reply to the last post- one reason I like Mercedes is for the safety. I think Honda added pretensioners on some models as early as 1998- I will have to check my books. However, the 84 Mercedes I am considering does not have ABS, but the 93 Accord EX does. Both have driver airbags. I think 91 or 92 was the first year for ABS on Honda and it was only available on the upper-end models. The 93 EX I am interested in is loaded with features- including keyless entry and moonroof. I think ABS was standard on the 93 EX models- the wagon at least, but I test drove the 93 Accord wagon today and the "ABS" light was illuminated, so technically it does not have ABS until they are repaired. It also needs new brake pads at every wheel. Otherwise- it runs great.

I still want to check out the Mercedes first however. Everyone keeps saying- pay $300 less and get a Mercedes over the Honda. I guess I am hesitant- because I have owned about 4 Honda Accords in the past- all were excellent car and I am familiar with them. I have never owned a drivable Mercedes, (I did own a non-running 74 240D that I sold) so I am having to go by what people tell me, as I am unfamiliar with them.
Seems like most people here are saying this car is well worth this- if it runs good. I would have difficulty having it "checked" out and checking "PPI" (whatever that means?) lol. Since the car is 110 miles away in a city that I do not know where anything is- or reputations of the repair shops- it is going to be difficult. I know my way around down there- but do not know of the reputable shops. I guess I will have to look at it- use my best judgement and take a chance on buying it. Hopefully it will be a good car.

Thanks again for any additional advice.

nhodges · #15 11-17-2003, 09:15 PM

Where is it? there might be someone on the forum from there or nearby that can assist you in finding a shop.