I have been trying to keep my eyes on the prowl for wrecked Benz'es with the intention of parting them to earn a little spare income. But the wrecked ones seem hard to come by... I have seen more in rough shape or needing say a transmission but I find myself wondering what I should be willing to pay for these cars so they can still generate a buck without paying below minimum wage for pulling parts. I am pretty familiar with 124's but I wonder if I could solicate a little advice on what to look for in a car.

It seems a car like the one I alluded to, needing a transmission, would be in the same category as a front end wreck and might be a good candidate. While I'm not so sure about a high mileage example, a 275,000 300sd 85' with a ripped drivers seat, several rust problems, bad AC, and a broken window regulator... like this one 20 miles from me at $500: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4557841187&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

I'm not even sure if this forum is the right place to post this, but at least it will spice things up around here.
So any tips as to where to look and what to look for would be most appreciated.

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831799&postcount=13
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831807&postcount=14

Don’t pay more than $200 for a w116 or w123 deal in cash as much as you can paypal will snitch you off to the IRS. Your local authorities won’t be pleased. Be sure to have a method of dealing with the striped dead bodies. And most important is a good supply of free shipping supplies especially large boxes there is nothing like telling a customer his door will be $80 shipping will be $50 and handling will be $40 for packing material. That immaculate great looking old Mercedes with a cracked head that looks like a museum piece is not worth squat. Try to stick to 1985 and newer w126 cars and if you don’t enjoy stripping cars there are better sources of extra income you might enjoy refinishing rare burl wood trim for instance.
My half a cent
DHS

Thanks for your input and excelent tips. I had a feeling the late 80's early 90's would be the place to be (just more of them on the road needing parts).
How about 201's as compared with 123's?
Would that typicaly be someone who buys scrap steel?

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831799&postcount=13
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831807&postcount=14

And another thing !

Check with your local laws about recycling...There also may be restrictions on the number of vehicles you can sell in a year.
EPA is REAL interested in oil/antifreeze/freon recovery systems you need.

Waste oil in the ground is hazardous waste violation ($150,000 and up....site cleanup.) and releasing freon is a $25,000 first offence with 90 day jail time too.

People get a reward for turning you in .....



.

__________________
[http://languageandgrammar.com/2008/01/14/youve-got-problems-not-issues/ ]

"A liberal is someone who feels they owe a great debt to their fellow man, which debt he proposes to pay off with your money."

I have parted a couple of cars. The biggest issue is the constant back and forth with people and their e-mails. Customer service is tough...people constantly change their minds on stuff, or work a price with you and then find someone who will do it cheaper.

I always tried to sell parts in groups.... like bundle stuff for 200 dollars or so..
Make it worth your while and theirs.

also: keep in mind that everyone wants the same parts...some just never sell.

__________________
1989 300ce 129k
( facelifted front,updated tail lights, lowered suspension,bilstein sports, lorinser front spoiler, MOMO steering wheel, remus exhaust,stainless steel brake lines). (Gone)

1997 s320 154k (what a ride). Sold with 179k miles. Replaced with Hyundai Equus

1994 e320 Cabriolet 108k



1972 280se 4.5 153k Owned for 12 yrs, sorry I sold it


[/SIGPIC]

I hadn't really considered that angle thanks for the heads up... As to number of vehicles I would be planning on being pretty small time.

LOL You may be talking about me... The power antenna and window switches are working out quite nicely by the way.

Thanks for your insights guys... keep 'em comming.

__________________
-Marty

1986 300E 220,000 miles+ transmission impossible
(Now waiting under a bridge in order to become one)

Reading your M103 duty cycle:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831799&postcount=13
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showpost.php?p=831807&postcount=14