need a reliable, inexpensive diesel that's not going to break the bank. assuming the car checks out (needing no major repairs at the moment), do you folks think this is good buy? or am i going to get walloped by the price of parts (in Denver)?

i don't have a lot of disposable income, so i'm not really looking for labor of love. i just wanted a diesel wagon so i can get decent fuel economy and have a little room for my dog.

any thoughts are appreciated.

You should try to find the absolute best one within your reach, one that needs nothing, or it WILL be one of those labor-of-love things that can get out of hand financially.
With all of the little bushings, seals, o-rings, and gaskets taken care of already, routine maintenance will not break your bank in the least. One of the cheapest and most reliable cars in the world, after it's been sorted. However you MUST find a really good example, or you will be fixing stuff, and some people are not down with that kind of thing, so think long and hard about the decision you make. The accepted, default notion of these cars is that they are ill-suited for those who prefer to not turn a wrench.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

Just my $0.02

For that price, it had better be immaculate.

ZERO rust. Clean paint and interior. Everything working (AC, cruise control, SLS). AND with a verified service history.

I love my wagons (84 and 85), but they are still 20+ year old cars, slow and need love.

Ditto what delano said about them being economical (once everything has been sorted out).

Oh, and the fuel economy isn't exactly great.

Ditto what Doug and d said.

Not that I wouldn't pay that for a very nice example, but it is on the high side.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)

my notes from the phone call:

Is this the cream colored one on Craigslist in Boulder? Looked halfway decent in the photos.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

that's the one.

(this is terrifying: )

I'd say try to reach the lady at the Mercedes shop that he bought it from and get her input. No matter how good you think it is it is still a 25 year old car and things stop working suddenly. If you are good at fixing stuff and are willing to do the work then go for it if not get a Toyota. Fuel mileage on the MB will be in the twenties.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

i'm good at fixing stuff, but i'm not good at making money. are the kinds of parts i'll need going to nail me?

I recently picked up an '82 wagon with 233k+ for $2450 in really nice shape ascetically but in need of a rebuilt rear suspension. You can find them out there but it's getting harder. People tend to get attached to them after awhile. I don't think there is such thing as one of these cars that has nothing wrong with it within a reasonable/affordable price range and if you don't learn how to do some of the basics yourself things can add up quickly. A good mercedes mechanic is going to charge $70 and up per hour (if you are in Colorado there is a great mechanic in Glenwood Springs) and parts aren't cheap either.

As for transporting a dog I highly recommend it as the back seats fold down and there is alot of space for them to hang out. My three love it. My first dog and I took my '85 wagon cross country (15k in one summer) when i first got her, traveling with the Professional Beach Volleyball Tour, sleeping in the car alot (they are very comfortable to sleep in, especially with the back seatgs removed) and camping. My white German Shephard/Timberwolf mix loves riding in the back seat with his head sticking out of the moon roof.

__________________
peace,
Woody

not worth 5500 with all of those shortcomings

looks like a good car- for $2500

__________________
'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

$5500 seems a bit high for the stated problems and probably a few others lurking. The broken engine mount and dented oil pan would concern me the most. If it weren't for those I'd be less skeptical.

I paid $3K for one with several nagging problems but nothing serious, about 215K miles. Most of the stuff was fixed easily (central locking, alternator, ACC resolder, AC refurbish). Other stuff remains (Some AC pods, a few window seals, and a proper polish of the oxidized paint). I'd expect to get a bit more now given the work I've put in and saved the next buyer.

At 150K and good service records I would expect the expensive bits to hold up (but I'll recite the busted engine mount as a worry). You shouldn't have any transmission issues for some time (50-100K miles), rear CV joints should hopefully still have good rubber though this is more a time rather than use problem, and engine of course with regular oil changes and valve adjustments should run top notch. If any of the major points are lacking, walk away and look elsewhere.

The rest (central locking, ACC, update of seals, etc.) is all doable by a DIY'er.

__________________
1982 300TD 210K miles ("The Replacement" aka "The Anvil") - SOLD
1979 300SD 245K miles (never ending project)
2007 Pinarello F3:13
1995 Ducati 916 (SOLD, sniff)
1999 Ducati 900SSie (SOLD)

very helpful. this is a great forum.

just for reference, what are other "major points." and -- this is probably a rookie question, but -- what does ACC stand for?

Automatic Climate Control

__________________
peace,
Woody

Find out who maintained it and talk to the shop. I was looking at a wagon a few years ago maintained by Stu Ritter's shop and they gave me a complete history of their work from their records. Very helpful.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13