I got a live one...maybe

[strelnik]

I came across a guy who wanted his friend's Mercedes fixed. He's thinking of selling it because he has starting problems. It's a 1984 380SL with 2 tops and a badly sealed roof. But I digress.

He spent big bucks last year getting the fuel system REPLACED. tank, filter, regulator and pump.

Periodically he starts but it won't start. Plenty of battery power. he says it's sounds like it's flooding. Other times it starts immediately. It always cranks well.

He won't drive it more than a mile from his house, in case he can't restart it and he has to walk home.

He's thinking of dumping it, just to get rid of it. He's in his 70s and doesn't want the hassle.

Sounds like some kind of air/fuel controller problem or a weak spark to the system, maybe from a bad wire???

Any thoughts? The interior needs work, but I can get that done through contacts.

Your thoughts please.

Maybe I'll be joining the SL community...
Thanks

[POS]

Price and condition mean everything. What's he want for it and what condition is it in? If it was me, I'd try to figure out as much as possible what you can do to diagnose WITHOUT fixing it, and don't tell seller your conclusion.

I went and looked at a 35k mile 1986 300SL once and it wouldn't start either, and then once it did, it ran like crap. But, I spent some time getting it working and running well-enough, then she said she'd take it to an MB dealer to get it fixed, then I could buy it after that for the asking price. I agreed, then the ***** sold it out from under me.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by strelnik

I came across a guy who wanted his friend's Mercedes fixed. He's thinking of selling it because he has starting problems. It's a 1984 380SL with 2 tops and a badly sealed roof. But I digress.

He spent big bucks last year getting the fuel system REPLACED. tank, filter, regulator and pump.

Periodically he starts but it won't start. Plenty of battery power. he says it's sounds like it's flooding. Other times it starts immediately. It always cranks well.

He won't drive it more than a mile from his house, in case he can't restart it and he has to walk home.

He's thinking of dumping it, just to get rid of it. He's in his 70s and doesn't want the hassle.

Sounds like some kind of air/fuel controller problem or a weak spark to the system, maybe from a bad wire???

Any thoughts? The interior needs work, but I can get that done through contacts.

Your thoughts please.

Maybe I'll be joining the SL community...
Thanks

How much money?

Once you have an asking price - then take it for a PPI, so you will know what problems exist with the car. You definitely will need to share the problems and associated repair costs with the owner, if you feel you need to substantiate lowering the asking price - which is now unknown.

If the seller won't agree to either of the above - pass on it. It's not worth it.......not at this point anyway.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by POS

Price and condition mean everything. What's he want for it and what condition is it in? If it was me, I'd try to figure out as much as possible what you can do to diagnose WITHOUT fixing it, and don't tell seller your conclusion.

I went and looked at a 35k mile 1986 300SL once and it wouldn't start either, and then once it did, it ran like crap. But, I spent some time getting it working and running well-enough, then she said she'd take it to an MB dealer to get it fixed, then I could buy it after that for the asking price. I agreed, then the ***** sold it out from under me.

"the ***** sold it out from under me."
__________________________________________________________________

Forgive me, but did you have an agreed to price, deposit and a receipt on the vehicle? -I rest my case.....

Sounds like sour grapes and false business expectations to me.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

How much money?

Once you have an asking price - then take it for a PPI, so you will know what problems exist with the car. You definitely will need to share the problems and associated repair costs with the owner, if you feel you need to substantiate lowering the asking price - which is now unknown.

If the seller won't agree to either of the above - pass on it. It's not worth it.......not at this point anyway.

He's looking at around 4,000

[Tims450SL]

tell him $1500 if you have $3000 to play with. And also look up a good fortune teller. They are either money pits (Have had 5 total) or easy fixes. Count on the latter. Be happy if it is not. Unless it is to part that sucker out- But who wants a skeleton parked in the driveway while the buzzards pick it apart??

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by Tims450SL

tell him $1500 if you have $3000 to play with. And also look up a good fortune teller. They are either money pits (Have had 5 total) or easy fixes. Count on the latter. Be happy if it is not. Unless it is to part that sucker out- But who wants a skeleton parked in the driveway while the buzzards pick it apart??

Given the condition of the car, and assuming this is some kind of minor fix, which I believe it is, I'd be willing to give 3K and put 2 K into it to make it a terrific car. The body and paint are absolutely phenomenal.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by strelnik

Given the condition of the car, and assuming this is some kind of minor fix, which I believe it is, I'd be willing to give 3K and put 2 K into it to make it a terrific car. The body and paint are absolutely phenomenal.

Tread carefully. Do not get in the position of getting it PPIed at your total expense, only to have the seller renege on the sale. Use your head, and be businesslike. Let the seller know that you'll walk, if all isn't right on the deal.

[strelnik]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

Tread carefully. Do not get in the position of getting it PPIed at your total expense, only to have the seller renege on the sale. Use your head, and be businesslike. Let the seller know that you'll walk, if all isn't right on the deal.

Absolutely. I don't need it, and the longer it aggravates him, the better my chances.