1984 300SD - worth it? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

jeffcincy2000 · #1 05-04-2007, 02:45 PM

I suspect the answer to my question may be "are you crazy!" but I am going to ask anyway

I have found a 1984 300SD with 135K, one owner, all records (benz store stamped) up to 90K, plus some other records from 90K on. It is silver blue, blue leather, no rust, perfect interior and paint, everything works. In prep to give the car to his grandchild, last August the owner spent $5k doing the following at a very reputable independent Benz shop here in town:
Rebuilt front end including the caster and ball joints, brakes, new radiator, exhaust, almost all hoses and belts replaced along with fluids, motor mounts, a long list of incidentals, and new tires & cruise amp. Turns out the kid did not want the car! what a spoiled brat LOL, if he was mine his new transportation would be a pair of Nike shoes !

The owner sold it to a guy in town that specializes in older Benzs, the dealer wants $8,950US.

I really want this car, looks great, drives great, everything works... but is it worth close to this amount? I am not a gear head so want a toy that I don't have to restore (will be 5th car) and the 300SD is one of my dream cars... Many of the cars you guys talk about usually need work etc and I just don't have the know how or desire to restore a car, so expect I will pay a premium, but I don't want to be way stupid! I have the financial ability to pay someone to maintain the car etc and expect that over time there will be issues.

Thanks

#2 05-04-2007, 02:50 PM

:wtf: :wtf: :wtf:

Wow.

Sounds like a VERY nice car but $8950? IMO, way too much for a car that's nearly 25 years old.

Then again, I could be wrong.

vstech · #3 05-04-2007, 02:59 PM

it sounds like about 1K of parts installed by dealer with 4 K of markup and labor.
not worth 9K to Me. it is worth about 6 though.
if you can afford it, and like the car. go for it. but realize the dealer paid less than 3 to the owner for it. That should give you some bargaining power.
John

Brian Carlton · #4 05-04-2007, 03:13 PM

The value of such a vehicle is difficult to pinpoint accurately because there are precious few of them with 135K on the clock that are in pristine condition.

In reality, the fellow can probably wait for his buyer..........a person who wants a very low mileage SD and realizes that they are few and far between.

I wouldn't take the opinion of the fellows on the forum, however. Nearly all of us have vehicles with higher mileage and the value is summarily less.

Such a vehicle would probably sell for north of $6K on ebay. The seller certainly thinks highly of it at $8950.

See if anyone on the forum has a comparable vehicle for valuation purposes............all others are simply $.02.

tobybul · #5 05-04-2007, 03:50 PM

Only one way to find out imho.... just make an offer of what YOU are comfortable with. But when doing so, show that you are ready to pay right now and are serious. In most cases, money talks. Plus, everything is negotiable. Nothing's cast in stone....imho

rrgrassi · #6 05-04-2007, 03:56 PM

Don't show them that you really want the car. Act in different. If you show you really want it, they have you and will not back down off of the price.

I'm looking at a running parts car, and they are wanting way too much for it IMHO. Bad tranny, cracked glass, torn interior, engine oil over filled, and engine oil in the vacuum system. It is an 84 300D 192,000 miles.

Jim B. · #7 05-04-2007, 04:41 PM

Tobybul AND RRgrassi's advice blended together is what I would use.....
(and have, successfully)

Show indifference to this particular car, like it's a hunk of metal, BUT at the same time indicate you are serious, would pay cash, and are really ready to get one now.

That will get the ball rolling, in most cases.

135k on one of these is nothing, it's likely just well run in. The price is a little rich, though, and whether you can get it might just as well depend on how the seller is feeling about himself at the moment.

In negotiations, the party who stops talking first has the advantage....
If it doesn't go well in the sales office, before you leave, give them your telephone number.

It's a strange way to look at it, but I have heard it said that if each side comes away from it a little unhappy, then chances are a fair deal has been struck......

I would be willing to pay something of a premium, to get a really pristine example. This could very well be such a car.

For a long time ahead, you'll be much more concerned with the enjoyment and reliability with the car rather than the actual price you paid for it.

If all is right with the world, you should be able to get it.

The old W126 300SD sedans are, all in all, anvil tough and long lasting, safe and comfortable, perhaps the very best of the W126 cars, the 1981-85 ones.
It would probably be my first choice for a diesel, the W123 my second.

Were I in the market, I think so long as the car isn't rusty, as you described it I would go ahead and probe the limits of the pricing on this, and see if it hit between somewhere between $6000 and $7500 or so.

Paying a little too high in my mind for a REALLY good W126 diesel wouldn't bother me if you take into account the car will run to star trek mileage, and you are starting out with a good example with stamped books and low miles

If you are in Ohio, or the rust belt, or in fact anyplace, rust would be a deal killer.

What do you think?

jeffcincy2000 · #8 05-04-2007, 05:01 PM

Everyone thanks for the fast responses! Keep them coming. Jim B, your logic is exactly what I was thinking. I have bought and sold many cars and always appear lukewarm when looking at one i really like. The 126 is my all time favorite body style and have been lusting after an 80's/90's S class for years. The diesel is my first pick, I have fond memories of driving around in my uncle's new 1978 300D as a child and have been hooked ever since.

Hatterasguy · #9 05-04-2007, 06:10 PM

If you can swing it buy it. Most W126's on the market these days are junk, so when you find a good one buy it!

I'd offer him $7k and see what he says. If you play it smooth you might be able to get it for $7,500-$8,000.

Spending a bit more up front on a good example is money well spent! More so these days since most W126's for sale are 200k+ mile rust buckets, or just plain tired.

#10 05-04-2007, 06:24 PM

Honestly, it may not be worth $9K on the private market (maybe more like $7K if it is really in good/excellent condition). However, the dealer is looking to make a couple of $1000 over the private sale price. While 135K is low mileage, it's not low enough to make the car collectable, so we are just talking about a really nice driver.

You need to decide what you are looking for. If you really want this car and intend to keep it for the long term, just buy it and don't worry about a couple of $1000. If you think you are going to sell it in a few years, it may not be such a good deal because you will never get $9K back out of it. Also consider that this car will not be maintenance/repair-free (even if it is in very good condition), these cars are 20+ years old and things will fail. Depending how much you are going to drive it, you will spend a few $100 or a few $1000 per year to keep it in this condition. So you are just rolling the dice anyway, any of us could have an unexpected $2000 repair bill tomorrow (I've had my share). I've had my car for about 5 years and 230K miles, my total maintenance/repair costs have exceeded the initial purchase price, eventually yours will too.

Crappy Gas Pipe · #11 05-04-2007, 06:40 PM

"These cars are for people that have more dollars than sence" eBayer Paul said to me. I payed 1K for my "Crappy Gas Pipe "(1984 300D Turbo) In another 4 years I will catch up and pass the price of your car and I'll still have a leaky rusty rattle trap. I bought a Nissan the same year this car was born and thats been in the garbage for a while now.

If you like the car and understand that things that breakdown can be replaced easy enough than you should go for it. Your wife spends more money on her hair per year and we never seem to notice any difference.

bullwinkle · #12 05-04-2007, 06:55 PM

I see by your handle you might be local to me-if you want I could possibly swing by and look at it-I know (on the 300D/W123s at least) where the rust likes to hide, I can also show you what to watch out for on the engine, 135K can still be too high if oil changes were neglected (mine was moderately screwed up at 143K when I bought it. I've been helped out a lot by the people here, could be a chance to give something back.