Today I finally went looking for another W123 diesel. I was able to convince my wife that she should have one of her own. The car we saw today was an '83 CD. It had 215K miles and was in excellent condition, according to the seller. When we pulled up we saw a partly faded tan colored coupe. It was reasonably straight except for a small dent on the driver side fender and a small area of rust bubbling above the midline molding in front of the fuel filler, a missing lower molding on the passenger door and missing rubber strip on the rear bumper. The rest of the rubber was in poor shape. The interior was OK but very faded especially the top of the back seat. The wood was so-so. We took the car for a ride and it rode OK but needed new rear shocks. The sunroof was partially stuck open and did not work. The A/C didn't work either but according to the owner it was just serviced a year ago. It ran great though and it seemed to have more power than my '85 300D. The trans shifted fine but it did have the usual slight lurch from 1st to 2nd. Occasionally it seem to flare from 3rd to 4th but it wasn't too obvious. I would imagine the trans will need some major service soon. The most alarming thing about it was that one of the rear trunk lid hinges was broken and the owner just seemed to use it that way. Because of it there was a lot of paint damage around the corners of the trunk opening. Overall I would have put the condition at only fair and the asking price was much too high at $3450 even though a 4 door parts car was included in the price. it was stored somewhere else so I didn't see it and the owner didn't even know what kind of diesel it was.
I've learned to appreciate my car even more after driving that 300 CD. I guess my search for another W123 will not be that easy.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Had the exact same experience yesterday, and several times before.

Looked at a w116 420SEL(or somethign like that), it was shot in every way imaginable, and the guy asked $2700 for it with a strait face. It was rusted, ragged, took three tries to start it, just, man..

79 300CD, rust, rust, and more rust, faded paint, nothing worked, started and shook like I never saw a 617 shake before, even though it was over 90 outside. Just.. god..

And what get's me is they both had about 180K miles on them.
My 300D just hit 264K last night, and looks like a SHOW CAR compared to those two. Ditto many others I've looked at. I just don't know hot to explain to some people that the car's are worth next to nothing in that condition. Nor do I understand how mine can look like it does with twice the mileage on it, and I know it's not been cosmeticaly maintained as it should have been really.
I just don't get it.

There's a little red 240D near here I keep looking at, been sitting for ages, rough but not too too bad. I'm just scared to ask what they want for it...

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One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K

Whenever I see an older MB diesel for sale around here its usually way over priced, too. Makes you wonder what you should list yours at if you ever want to sell it. I don't think I could honestly ask for more than 2K, maybe less, and mine is pretty solid, everything works except cruise.

Someone will buy it and pay for it. Some fool I've seen around has a 300D thats been slightly lowered with the wheels that stick out!? This is the ideal customer for someone who just wants to move the car and make some money. What can you do?

Oh yeah, heartbreaking stories. I met this girl at work who had a 300D turbo. Left for a school trip to Europe and her dad gave it to a charity to sell. According to her, nothing wrong with it except the trans blew-great parts car or fixer. Also, my neighbor moved away a year ago and left the country. He had a 300D turbo, an 84 in good shape except the front end had problems. He sold it for $500. It was nicer than mine as far as aesthetics go and had less miles. I was a little miffed that he didn't even ask me if I wanted to buy it, but then I've never been around to be asked. Anyway, these are the deals.

The other day I finally found a real beauty. See my thread, "I finally found one!"

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

They are out there You just have to be patient and keep looking.
I found one and did not even realize that I was looking.
Bret

There are a lot of overpriced junkers out there. I looked at an 82 300SD that wouldn't even start and the guy didn't bat an eye when saying the price was ONLY $4000. Sheesh! I paid 2k for SWMBOs 300D and the only thing cosmetically wrong with it is the clearcoat. The interior is perfect with R12 air that will freeze your a** out. Has only needed minor mechanical repairs that you'd expect from 20 year old, 275,000 mile vehicle. It's biggest flaw is that it leaks at both windscreens in the rain and I'm closing in on that problem. It doesn't rain all that much here anyway.

IMHO, I stole my 115 also. Thanks again, Paul! I'm still looking over my shoulder for the auto theft cops.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Saw a lime green 70 something 220D in Cape Girardeau, MO today. It was having an XM Radio installed and I was there to buy a XM Radio Roady2 for my 240D. When I told the saleman what I was using it in, he told me about the "old Mercedes" in the shop and ask if I would like to see the car. Needless to say I went back to the shop and drooled all over the little beauty. If the owner is a member here he is one lucky dude. The salesguy said the guy had just boughtit and had only given $2000 for the car.

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.