need pricing help

[thtguy]

I just looked at an 84 300SD, 284K, solid body, no rust, paint good but dull, looks like an older respray, will probably buff out, interior in really good condition except for the drivers left bolster has a 1 1/2" hole. sunroof didn't want to open only opened partially. oil pressure gauge was pegged at 3, all windows, seats and door locks worked, a/c not working but the owner said he just had it worked on and that it was working. it has newer 134a fittings, if he is telling the truth it could just be a refrig. leak. motor fairly clean, some oil on crankcase. the engine ran fine past 10 seconds with the blowby test, got rough around 13 and let finger off vent tube, was told that the mechanic that regularly services the car said it is not the original engine. no smoke even when flooring it up a hill. anyway the guy, a little old man that raises alpacas, is asking $3500. just going by what i posted here does it sound to be worth it?

[DieselBurps]

The sunroof and the A/C can both be expensive to repair. If the compressor is still spinning, that's a good start though. Forget the sunroof - I've been told that they have to open up the headliner and it's fairly labor intensive. Close it up tight and forget it! Maybe when the headliner gets replaced in the future you can check into getting it fixed.

Use the A/C to beat him up on the price. Here in FL, a car without A/C is considered scrap metal. Don't fear the mileage - it's almost broken in!

[83-240d]

the sunroof can be a lube issue only not necessarily a bad motor or new s.r. needed.

no 3500 is too much. price a paint job and subtract.

[thtguy]

the paint really isn't bad at all, just looks like it could use a good polishing. when i say older respray, i mean a good one it may not even be a respray I am just used to older MB's having the glazing look on the roof, surely if it is a respray it is not a cheap Macco job.

[thtguy]

i guess another question i have is are there any problem areas i should really look at on this car? and would he be robbing me blind if I bought the car for between $3000 and 3500?

[Bill()C]

If the body is in good condition with no rust... I'd say your only issue is the A/C. Tell the guy to fix it first and you'll buy it for $3500. That's what I'd do. The sunroofs are legendary for lubrication problems. See a fix on Mercedeshop.com

I'd love to have that thing for $3500 and know some other people who would too.

Good Luck,
Bill

[thtguy]

another question. should the oil pressure gauge go all the way up to the top and stay there? i am used to most oil pressure gauges having a too much pressure point also

[DieselBurps]

Mine idled around 1/3 on the gauge and at any speed above a stop seemed to be at full pressure. I've driven a few of them and they all did the same thing. Does your targeted car have some pressure at idle and full pressure at any other engine speed?

[thtguy]

even at idle it has above 2/3 on the gauge

[vegipete]

When the engine is cold, the oil gauge seems to peg. Once the engine is warmed up, the needle will fall at idle, 1/3 if really hot with thin oil, 2/3 if not so warm or thicker oil. The needle should right back up above idle speeds.

[83-240d]

the oil press is not a big deal. we bought my wifes car for 3200 in the mid south and it was worth it. no rust. there is a lot of brite work in the engine and the carpets were still prime condition at 150,000 miles. the car was detailed and we were told the orig paint was thin and there are some blemishes in it but we can live with that for now. its gonna be the last car she owns.

3500 is not out of line if the car is nice.