We need another Benz
 

My dad came up to me earlier and told me to look for a low price Mercedes because we really need another car, the 220 with no a/c and our X5 is not cutting it for our family of four lol

I was blown away when he told me he wants to look for one out of state because "he wants to take a trip" and I'M TOTALLY DOWN FOR THAT! Our price range is between 200$ (yeah I know...) and I would say 3,000 tops..

I'm pushing for Diesel and he's cool with that, but he's not into the slower models such as the 240D ect and no stick shift because my sister can't drive stick :mad: Also it needs to be a four door sedan. Well, I've been looking at 300E's, 300TD's (124 body) and the 91-96 S classes, especially the Diesel ones. Of course, the first state I started looking in was Texas but the Lone Star State is letting me down with a low amount MB's for sale and at high prices... I've been looking all night and I can't decide on a specific model to go with. My dad and I REALLY want the 91-96 S Class but there aren't that many out there and all the Diesel ones are 6 grand and up. The 300E would be perfect but I feel like it'd be a waste driving all the way to Delaware from California for a 300E.. Plus we have to make sure this car is ready to make such a trip across country.

I don't really have time to wait until a good one pops up because we really need another car.. Has anyone ever had a similar situation? Advice? Are there any other models that would do good? Thanks everyone

Clearly what you are looking for is the incredible w126 300SD. Quite possibly the finest motorcar ever assembled by human hands. Never has a chassis been better engineered, IMHO Good luck :D

We looked at one yesterday actually, my dad loved the idea of the v8 engine in it and does like that chassis but the one we saw wasn't running.. The engine wasn't receiving gas even though it had it. It had 235,000 miles and it needed three regulators and pretty much some work and she wanted 2,300 for it :eek:

We walked away but he likes that chassis, I forgot about it :o I'll throw that in to the search pile. I love how my dad asked specifically for a Mercedes or worst case senario a BMW, not even mentioning any other brand.. Boy, we sure are a dedicated family, I love it :D

Well, I refer more specifically to the 617 diesel powered 126. Not quite a V-8, but then a V-8 is not quite a diesel either....

just don't let him buy a VW.....

Possibly you should check with Tyler, see what he has in the stable that he would get rid of to make room for his next triumphant score

Yeah if we shoot for the w126 it'll be Diesel, the one we saw just happened to be a gasser.. haha he doesn't want a bug because my sister will be using the car and stick shift is an issue for her...

Arizona:
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1391872824.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/nph/cto/1391805609.html
http://phoenix.craigslist.org/cph/cto/1392370632.html
CA
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/cto/1391935330.html
http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/ctd/1391948509.html

Or you can try my search engine:
http://www.themccumbers.com/States.htm

Good luck

I'd say the w126 is the best start too. They're big, reliable, easy to work on, cheap to run, and still look good on modern roads. The diesel 300SDL is always a good choice, but you might want to consider the 420SEL - they're V8s, they're very reliable, and they don't have the rear air suspension like the 560SEL. Plus, no one wants the middle-road 420s so they're incredibly cheap and you can still find them with low miles.

The 300E is always a stable choice; also recommended.

I'd run screaming from the w140s. Yes, they look fantastic, they drive well, and they've stood the test of time, but they are much more expensive to keep moving properly than the w126 and the w124. They're very complicated electronically, and those cars were the ones MB built when they were learning how to build complicated cars. Bad choice.

Get one in So Cal.
 

I thought you were in Palm Springs.


Spend a weekend in Los Angeles and Orange and San Diego counties.


Even now, those places are loaded with excellent condition W126 cars, low mileage, garaged, low priced examples of beautiful ones.


The reason, as you know it it is the center of US car culture, and the weather is very kind -- which means no salt or rust issues, and the fact that there are SO MANY there, it drives the prices down.

WAAAY down.


Not to mention that many of them are well loved, carefully maintained. Plus there is a plethora of shops and places to cater to and take care of them, and they do well.



It should be real easy and fun.

Check Craigslist, private car lots, auto trader, cars.com, even BIN on ebay or local shopper newspapers.

NOW, the best ones show up for sale, though, country wide on the internet forums that talk about them, google benzworld w126 for the best ones.


For the w126 See also the that I wrote back in 1998. For the sedans, just add two more doors to this guide.


Prices not accurate now, since I did not update, but it has been well received over the years.

http://www.mbcoupes.com/buyersguide/buyersguide.htm

Good stuff!

Yeah, I was kind of in the glamour of owning a w140 because they ride so nice and are great cars, but the sad part is like you stated, are really expensive to keep going. We don't really need that right now so I took that chassis of the list, one day though :)

So, it's now either between a w124 and a w126 and I'm starting to really like the 126. I know deep down my dad really wants the V8 but would settle with Diesel without a problem because it's cheaper than gas atm and engines last longer.

Unfortunately I am in Palm Springs, but my dad said he wanted to me to look for an out of state car (I'm shootin for Texas :D) so we could take a trip, and I totally want a break from this hell... erm Palm Springs so I have mostly been doing searches elsewhere. Thank you for providing more websites, I couldn't think of other ones except for craigslist and autotrader.com. Yeah this is a little adventure and I love getting new cars :D especially for the fact that we really need one! lol Thanks for the 126 guide! :D

The only one that I know of that is worth while in your price range around here is a 1995 E320 wagon. Pretty nice shape other than a few dings and scratches. The interior could use a detail too. It runs a drives nicely, the only problem I'm aware of is the dreaded AC evaporator, so no air conditioning. Wiring harness looks to be replaced though.

Its an awesome trip if you head up through the mountains. Vegas, Utah desert, all the ski resort towns on I70. I just did it recently and documented it here.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=241323

Here are some photos of the wagon. Its owned by a good friend of mine here in Wichita. I believe he wants 3 grand for it.

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...0/IMG_0690.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...0/IMG_0692.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...0/IMG_0694.jpg

http://i251.photobucket.com/albums/g...0/IMG_0693.jpg

Unless he's wanting a Grand Wagoneer I got nothin...


http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190336841442&ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT

First thing before anything. How much are you willing to spend? You said $3,000. Is that a definate number or can you work with it?

Thanks Tyler, I'll run that wagon by my dad, it looks pretty good! I've always been a fan of wagons :), the A/C is kind of an issue but I think it's a great car for the price. I've never been to Kansas and don't think he has either, how is it over there? How's the weather? That looked like an awesome trip, I love the pictures of Ol' Turbo in the snow!