Looking for a W140 diesel near Nor Cal - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skid Row Joe · #31 09-06-2021, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hogweed

i was thinking the same thing but then i was researching getting a key made for another vehicle brand using the VIN (long story). there was a dealer that was able to provide the key from the VIN and wasn't verifying ownership, etc.
it's a long shot and i will often provide the VIN to folks who ask

Exactly!

Some guy was snooping around my '99 E300 for the VIN a while back. He wanted no other information but the VIN. I had so many bottom-feeders over the years just as you've reported as having.

Not ONE person ever bought an aged car/RV from me over 40 years over the phone....

filp · #32 09-06-2021, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Were the person actually interested, they'd be anxious to come SEE the car. Since otherwise, they're just a waste of time...

Wrong. It's not always possible to be there in person.
You can't do much beside checking the car online with VIN - past auctions, options. You could report it stolen, but you need to provide some kind of proof of ownership.

Must've been some shady dealership

MB dealers around here scan both sides of title and your driver's license, they also make you sign the title if it's not in your name.

Skid Row Joe · #33 09-06-2021, 11:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filp

Wrong. It's not always possible to be there in person.
You can't do much beside checking the car online with VIN - past auctions, options. You could report it stolen, but you need to provide some kind of proof of ownership.

Must've been some shady dealership

MB dealers around here scan both sides of title and your driver's license, they also make you sign the title if it's not in your name.

Wrong. It wasn't a Mercedes-Benz dealer lol! Bottom feeders and scammers. Let em buy from the

VIN posters. Lol!

Whereisjohnnycarson · #34 12-07-2021, 12:23 AM

I am also looking for a w140 1997 to 1999.. I am reading alot about giving out Vin numbers but you actually cannot do anything with the VIN, criminally. Buyers are no longer restricted to local buying, and there are those of us who honestly are interested in the purchase but live 2 states away. The current popular buying practice for young millinials, is to purchase vehicles abroad, sight unseen. There are lots of videos in you tube the post of thier experience and buying guided through experience. Buying practices have changed matter of fact most of us buy sight unseen everyday with products being made 10s of thousands of miles away especially ordering from ebay or Amazon. I sympathize with buyers trying to purchase long distance it's frustrating. I am trying now to purchase a vehicle in California and I live in Washington State, and literally have to pull teeth to let the owner understand that I am about to fly down to purchase a vehicle, so yes I need as much information as possible. It's just the times we live in. Washington doesn't have alot of w140 owners and when they are for sale they usually get bought buy parts guys or auctioneers. This will be my third out of state purchase and have found excellent deals. Last purchase wax a 1987 300 TD wagon with 90k original miles for 900 dollars and it's still with me.

filp · #35 12-20-2021, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Whereisjohnnycarson

I am also looking for a w140 1997 to 1999.. I am reading alot about giving out Vin numbers but you actually cannot do anything with the VIN, criminally. Buyers are no longer restricted to local buying, and there are those of us who honestly are interested in the purchase but live 2 states away. The current popular buying practice for young millinials, is to purchase vehicles abroad, sight unseen. There are lots of videos in you tube the post of thier experience and buying guided through experience. Buying practices have changed matter of fact most of us buy sight unseen everyday with products being made 10s of thousands of miles away especially ordering from ebay or Amazon. I sympathize with buyers trying to purchase long distance it's frustrating. I am trying now to purchase a vehicle in California and I live in Washington State, and literally have to pull teeth to let the owner understand that I am about to fly down to purchase a vehicle, so yes I need as much information as possible. It's just the times we live in. Washington doesn't have alot of w140 owners and when they are for sale they usually get bought buy parts guys or auctioneers. This will be my third out of state purchase and have found excellent deals. Last purchase wax a 1987 300 TD wagon with 90k original miles for 900 dollars and it's still with me.

There's a 140 diesel near Houston, TX. Interior looks nice, but I had a chat with the owners. They want $5k firm. No records, no history, no info about anything, clean title. They claim it received impeccable maintenance at the dealer but the records were lost in the flood...LOL. Remember that Houston flood a few years back...records dissolved but the car and title was supposedly untouched. They are not the original owners and said they are not worried about the maintenance records because they know it's been maintained. I wonder who will tell them that it may matter to a potential buyer

unless someone comes with TLC - Truck Loads of Cash. It's a pity because it may be worth that money if it's really been maintained and had engine fixed.

sixto · #36 12-20-2021, 03:20 PM

Were the shop’s records lost in the flood too?

Sixto
05 E320 wagon 185K miles

LWB250 · #37 12-20-2021, 08:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by filp

There's a 140 diesel near Houston, TX. Interior looks nice, but I had a chat with the owners. They want $5k firm. No records, no history, no info about anything, clean title. They claim it received impeccable maintenance at the dealer but the records were lost in the flood...LOL. Remember that Houston flood a few years back...records dissolved but the car and title was supposedly untouched. They are not the original owners and said they are not worried about the maintenance records because they know it's been maintained. I wonder who will tell them that it may matter to a potential buyer

unless someone comes with TLC - Truck Loads of Cash. It's a pity because it may be worth that money if it's really been maintained and had engine fixed.

Bogus, *if* they had it serviced at a Mercedes dealership. If so, a VMI (vehicle master inquiry) can be run and any time that car touched a dealership there will be a record of it.

Got a VIN? I can get a VMI on the car. PM me if you do.

MB140300SD · #38 12-21-2021, 10:15 PM

Whatever shop serviced it will have records too if done and an indy.

filp · #39 12-26-2021, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MB140300SD

Whatever shop serviced it will have records too if done and an indy.

Yup, but the conversation ended with them saying that *they* know it was well maintained so *they* don't need to worry about the records. I know, I know...

I mean, the car looks nice in the pics, the rear seats kinda low, tires have barely any air too, passenger side headlight has larger gaps with the hood than driver's side, paint has some scratches. The valve cover gasket is black with soot all around. PS reservoir is definitely leaking.

If it was really well maintained car (like I maintain my own) then I'd happily pay the asking price for it. So far I haven't seen a well running 3.5 diesel. Proof of maintenance is everything in my eyes with this model and engine.
Oh they said it has bulletproof glass and doors, so bring your gun

Edit: found the VIN: WDBGB34EXRA155046
If you can obtain VMI, please post it here or send me in a message

Edit2: Look what quick google search found, haha... http://davidsclassiccars.com/mercedes-benz/415440-1994-s-350-single-tank-wvob100-compatable.html
So yes, it has issues, not mentioned in the current facebook marketplace ad.
Looks like it sold years ago for around $10k at a dealership, probably before veggie conversion: http://smclassiccars.com/mercedes-benz/8437-s350d-turbo-diesel-sunroof-leather-wood-alloys-clean-carfax-autocheck-prem-sound.html

wwii · #40 02-01-2022, 03:10 PM

I didn't read this whole post but if anyone is still in the market for a W140 diesel, here is mine on CL.

https://slo.craigslist.org/cto/d/atascadero-1992-mercedes-300sd/7440457067.html