Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > General Discussions > Off-Topic Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 05-11-2010, 09:27 PM
450slcguy's Avatar
Don't Tread on Me
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 613
What would you pay? 1983 240D 4 speed

A buddy of mine inherited a 1983 240D 4-speed manual about 5 years ago. It was his Dad's MB for 23 years and 340,000 miles, . Since his Dad died, its been driven sparingly and parked outside. Some rust RR wheel-well , several deep rust bubbles, paint faded and heavily oxidized. 2 minor panel dents, exterior moldings needs some work.

Engine started right up, sounded pretty good, medium blow-by, little visible smoke on start-up. Interior not bad, seats looked pretty good, old sheepskin covers helped. Not sure about A/C. New clutch about 20k miles ago. His dad probably kept up with it pretty well over the years. Lots of paper history since new. His Dad owned several quick lube places so probably had frequent maintenance.

An hour before I got there, my buddy raised the hood and it blew outta his hands and smashed the windshield. Probably broke the hoods springs or something else.

It's a high mileage project car. Not too far gone but urgently awaiting a rescue. If it's not cheap, it's not worth my time or potential investment.

What's a fair offer? I'm thinking $300-400 dollars.






I

__________________
Question Authority before it Questions you.

Last edited by 450slcguy; 05-12-2010 at 02:51 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 05-11-2010, 09:32 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Carson City, NV
Posts: 3,850
Figure about $250 to fix the broken windshield.

Mileage is a little high, but the car might be worth a repower/rebuild if the body and interior are in good shape. It's hard to say without pics, but I might go four figures for a good example.

OTOH, if you have a rust bucket with deflated seats like my old 240D, prices will be lower. I bought mine for $480, drove it for about three years, cannibalized it for a manual swap, and sold what was left for $200. I think I did pretty good.
__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 05-11-2010, 09:42 PM
450slcguy's Avatar
Don't Tread on Me
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 613
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skippy View Post
Figure about $250 to fix the broken windshield.

Mileage is a little high, but the car might be worth a repower/rebuild if the body and interior are in good shape.
Jackpoints all look solid. RR fender has some rust through, outside molding/chrome needs some work, few dingers here and there.

A windsheild and probably a battery are gonna cost another $350+ bucks just to get it home.
__________________
Question Authority before it Questions you.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 05-12-2010, 10:04 AM
junqueyardjim's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Cicero, Hamilton County, Indiana about 30 miles north of downtown Indianapolis
Posts: 2,623
Here is what I would do

Get it for a hundred bucks with title or forget it, It has a lot more rust - you just haven't found it yet.
__________________
Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 05-12-2010, 02:46 PM
450slcguy's Avatar
Don't Tread on Me
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 613
$100 bucks sounds good to me, but I don't want to insult my buddy. I do know he wants it out of the driveway (5 other cars). For his sentimental attachment, I'd think he'd be gratefull it would go to someone he know's and that would make her pretty again. I'll see him this weekend and probably make a low offer.
__________________
Question Authority before it Questions you.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 05-12-2010, 08:22 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
dieselarchitect
 
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Lafayette Indiana
Posts: 38,611
If he is a friend perhaps you should try to get him to name the price. It could be a nice sound car if it has had decent care. 340K miles is really nothing on a well cared for 240d.
__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 05-12-2010, 08:46 PM
450slcguy's Avatar
Don't Tread on Me
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 613
Quote:
Originally Posted by t walgamuth View Post
If he is a friend perhaps you should try to get him to name the price. It could be a nice sound car if it has had decent care. 340K miles is really nothing on a well cared for 240d.
I asked him how much he wanted, he said make him an offer. At that time I wasn't ready to suggest a price or make an offer.

After thinking about it for several days, I'm not prepared to offer more than a few hundred dollars. Add in $300-400 for a windshield and battery, and I'd be at $600-700 just to get it home, where the real "fun" starts. It's difficult dealing with friends. I don't want him to think I'm trying to chisel him, but at the same the car needs lots of TLC.
__________________
Question Authority before it Questions you.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 05-12-2010, 10:50 PM
Jim B.'s Avatar
Who's flying this thing ?
 
Join Date: May 2006
Location: N. California./ N. Nevada
Posts: 3,611
Give him ten dollars and a case of Pilsner Urquell for it.
__________________
1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 05-12-2010, 11:11 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: CT
Posts: 300
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim B. View Post
Give him ten dollars and a case of Pilsner Urquell for it.
In '88 I bought a '73 Ford for $40 and the room mates share of the phone bill.

Another college room mate mentioned he had a buddy who was getting parts off an abandoned MG- knowing where I'd left it and where he was from I asked him if the parts car was it orange. His buddy sent 2 cases of bud tall necks back with him to me the next weekend, because I'd told the room mate what parts were good, what were crap, and had passed along the ignition key.

If you take the $$ out of the transaction its gets simple.
__________________
95 E300D working out the kinks
77 300D, 227k, station car
83 300CD 370k, gone away
89 190E 2.6- 335k, no more
79 VW FI Bus- 145k miles, summer driver
59 VW Beetle ragtop- 175k miles
12 VW Jetta- 160k miles
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 05-12-2010, 11:24 PM
Skid Row Joe's Avatar
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: #KeepingAmericaGreat!
Posts: 7,071
Quote:
Originally Posted by 450slcguy View Post
$100 bucks sounds good to me, but I don't want to insult my buddy. I do know he wants it out of the driveway (5 other cars). For his sentimental attachment, I'd think he'd be gratefull it would go to someone he know's and that would make her pretty again. I'll see him this weekend and probably make a low offer.
HUH?

My read on that is that if you're afraid to talk frankly with your "buddy," then he's probably not.

If you're looking for another project - this one qualifies as just that.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 05-12-2010, 11:25 PM
Skid Row Joe's Avatar
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: #KeepingAmericaGreat!
Posts: 7,071
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jim B. View Post
Give him ten dollars.....
Do you sincerely believe the car is worth that much........?

Last edited by Skid Row Joe; 05-12-2010 at 11:53 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 05-13-2010, 01:38 AM
aklim's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2000
Location: Location: Greenfield WI, USA
Posts: 8,514
Quote:
Originally Posted by 450slcguy View Post
A buddy of mine inherited a 1983 240D 4-speed manual about 5 years ago. It was his Dad's MB for 23 years and 340,000 miles, . Since his Dad died, its been driven sparingly and parked outside. Some rust RR wheel-well , several deep rust bubbles, paint faded and heavily oxidized. 2 minor panel dents, exterior moldings needs some work.

Engine started right up, sounded pretty good, medium blow-by, little visible smoke on start-up. Interior not bad, seats looked pretty good, old sheepskin covers helped. Not sure about A/C. New clutch about 20k miles ago. His dad probably kept up with it pretty well over the years. Lots of paper history since new. His Dad owned several quick lube places so probably had frequent maintenance.

An hour before I got there, my buddy raised the hood and it blew outta his hands and smashed the windshield. Probably broke the hoods springs or something else.

It's a high mileage project car. Not too far gone but urgently awaiting a rescue. If it's not cheap, it's not worth my time or potential investment.

What's a fair offer? I'm thinking $300-400 dollars.
Sounds like you will need mechanical and welding skills and cheap access to parts. I wouldn't go more than $100 as suggested and that is out of friendship.

BTW, I saw your slogan on a T-shirt sold HERE

Excerpt: Christian Books and Things offers a wide variety of Christian oriented t-shirts and sweatshirts. We are also proud to be the exclusive distributor of The Knights Party designs.

Got there from the KKK website
__________________
01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 05-13-2010, 11:38 AM
450slcguy's Avatar
Don't Tread on Me
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: USA
Posts: 613
Quote:
Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe View Post
HUH?

My read on that is that if you're afraid to talk frankly with your "buddy," then he's probably not.
He's been a good friend for over thirty years. We lost contact for awhile when his kids were younger, but now his kids are mostly in collage and he's getting out more to socialize. If he was a stranger, I'd have no problem offering a $100 bucks.

I think my hesitation to low ball the car was his sentimental attachment. He got a little teary eyed talking about it and his dad. Hopefully he'll realize that unless this car is given attention soon, it'll start deteriorating rapidly in the next year or so.
__________________
Question Authority before it Questions you.
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 05-13-2010, 12:08 PM
JB3 JB3 is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: RI
Posts: 7,246
I think 3-400 is more than fair. Ultimately, we are not talking about a lot of money here, for a running car with a 100% service record from a guy you've known for 30 years. Id probaby offer 500 bucks to a friend of 30 years

100 bucks would be insulting. It would make more sense to offer to trade another car that you don't want if you don't want to involve cash
__________________
This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 05-13-2010, 01:45 PM
Skid Row Joe's Avatar
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: #KeepingAmericaGreat!
Posts: 7,071
Quote:
Originally Posted by 450slcguy View Post
He's been a good friend for over thirty years. We lost contact for awhile when his kids were younger, but now his kids are mostly in collage and he's getting out more to socialize. If he was a stranger, I'd have no problem offering a $100 bucks.

I think my hesitation to low ball the car was his sentimental attachment. He got a little teary eyed talking about it and his dad. Hopefully he'll realize that unless this car is given attention soon, it'll start deteriorating rapidly in the next year or so.
I understand much better now.

This is indeed a quandry from your perspective. Who knows - he might be offended by even offering $1,000.....it's unpredictable to know. Even bringing up the subject may cause emotions to flow.

Here is a solution used to divide an estate item such as a car or home. Put it on the market, and see what offers it may garner against an asking price. Simply offer to match or slightly better the highest cash offer from a stranger.

Use your best judgement is all you can do.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:26 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page