It's selling next week at an auction near me. Silver with a few dents and scratches. Assuming it runs OK is it worth $3000? I don't need it but would just buy to flip if I can get it under $2000. Just want to see what a 350K car runs and drives like. Are these engines anything like the older models that easily go a half million miles.

They are the same engines as the 95 E300 except for the turbo/intercooler. I am not sure at what mileage they need new oil pump chain tensioner and timing chain guides/slides. I have replaced a timing chain in one at 300k though.

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Jim

I'd touch base with
Tyler on this before considering purchasing at auction. He has a lot of excellent insights about buying cars at auction and may have had one like this at some point.

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[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.

I know how to buy, just want to make sure there is a market for the car if I get it.

Consider placing an ad on craigslist to test interest, follow up with them if you get the car.

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Present
1987 300SDL
1991 300SL
1990 560SEL
2001 ML320

Past
1969 200D 1979-82
1983 300SD 1984-85
1972 250C 1982-02
1995 S350 2011
1997 S320 2012

It would have to be spectacularly cheap to take a chance on. How lucky do you feel. Mostly interesting to guys like us and you know how frugal we are. Cheers

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It's always something simple
91 300D 603.960 (from japan) 194K
92 Toyota Diesel Landcruiser HDJ81-t 116K
02 Golf TDI new head courtesy of PO
87 300D
97 BMW 525 TDS Wagon 5spd
bunch of Onan and other diesel generators

What's it worth in parts alone? Just body parts alone are probably $2K if you piece it out.

my 81 doesnt even have 350k miles on it. i'd definitely consider that used up.

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

It's worth what the guy you outbid was willing to pay for it.

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Greg
2012 S350 BlueTEC 4Matic
2007 ML 320 CDI
2007 Leisure Travel Serenity
2006 Sprinter 432k
2005 E320 CDI
1998 SLK230 (teal)
1998 SLK230 (silver)
1996 E300D 99k, 30k on WVO
Previous:
1983 240D, on WVO
1982 300D, on WVO
1983 300CD, on WVO
1986 300SDL 237k, 25k on WVO (Deerslayer)
1991 350SDL 249k, 56k on WVO - Retired to a car spa in Phoenix
1983 380 SEC w/603 diesel, 8k on WVO
1996 E300D 351k, 177k on WVO

I bought a used '83 300SD with 93K miles on it, drove it for 8 years to 305K miles. It drove fine all the while I owned it, but keep in mind that mechanically I kept up with most items that needed to be replaced like clockwork. I sold it for asking, ($4,950.00) but that was 13 years ago.

What is a '99 E300 with 350K miles worth? Not much to me. A thousand or so tops I guess - if running - only if I needed a parts car for my low-miles '99 E300. Which I don't need.

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'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

If you just want something to flip for many reasons I would pass that by.

I've found that the general public just isn't interested in a car that has anything close to 200k on it.

Only the 2% of the population that actually is into cars would be interested, and as mentioned above, it would have to be really cheap to make them jump on it.

Now, if the car is pretty clean, runs well, and you were to buy it as a personal car, then the price paid might go up......but there's likely no cushion in a car like that if you want to flip it.

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles

What happened to all the diesel fans out there who say these cars run forever, or would have jumped at the chance to buy a car that normally sells for $8,000 to $10,000 with 120,000 miles for just $3,000?

I'd like to own one of those at some point....so, for a certain price, I could see taking a chance. But, at that mileage, it really is a crap shoot. Tranny replacement is probably imminent, among other things. But at least you'd be confident that it's a lot of highway miles (over 2200 miles per month, on average).

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 157k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 175k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 144k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 70k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

With these miles the tranny could have already been replaced?