In Market for Diesel Mercedes

vincent_os

Hi,
I am in the Market for a Diesel/veg-oil mercedes. Ideally an estate but open to any 4 seater type in good condition. The w123 is also a model I am keen on. Engine capacities to 2.5 liter max.

I am under a bit of pressure at find something ASAP as my own car has died, so anything that will hold its value till I find my ideal estate is an option!

Regards,
Vincent.

MercMad

Hi,
you would therefore be looking at a W115 Saloon in either 200D, 220D, or 240, otherwise a W123 240D or 240TD (estate).

Diesel estates are rare and most are 300's !

Buy on body condition alone, as its the most expensive part to correct !

Good luck !

vincent_os

Hi Merc Mad,
whats your opinion of the following w123 on ebay:
item id =110232187786

-V

Blue850

Theres a 83 W123 200D on buy and sell website at the mo.

MercMad

vincent_os wrote: »

Hi Merc Mad,
whats your opinion of the following w123 on ebay:
item id =110232187786

-V

........its doesn't look too bad but the pictures are deliberatley taken to make it look good, so i would say it probably has a rough body. Ask specific details about known rust areas, rear arches, sills etc.

He seems honest enough about the mechanicals but to me it looks like it needs a bit of mechanical work, also bodywork and the interior is scruffy. I could take any one of those areas but for me 3 strykes is out !

Then again if its cheap thats fine !

8~)

Second that.
Plus in general a 20+ year old UK car will have suffered from rust more than an Irish one.

Then there's the general wear and tear issues... even if the body is good an old W123 needing 'a bit of work' generally means the door rubbers are perished, radiator is knackered, one or more calipers is sticking a bit, rear drive boots are perished, etc...

You might get lucky and buy one that's had the work done and also maintained in other areas too. But the sellers of those will know the value of this work.

Not to disillusion you but these are facts. For a cheap temporary runaround you're probably better off buying a tidyish '90s mainstream diesel with 8 months NCT: Primera, Xantia, etc...

(But, after saying all that, I am always looking for nice W123s...)

superboy

Hey, i know many will not agree, but what about a merc 190D(80's/90's). 2.5 litre auto , very reliable. they are at the bottom of the market at the moment, and provided you look after it, it should appreciate over the next few years.. I know i'm getting one asap!!!!

MercMad

superboy wrote: »

Hey, i know many will not agree, but what about a merc 190D(80's/90's). 2.5 litre auto , very reliable. they are at the bottom of the market at the moment, and provided you look after it, it should appreciate over the next few years.. I know i'm getting one asap!!!!

.........well I do agree. These are superb cars, robust and cheap to maintain. the dont have the classic looks I guess but hey !!

There is a 190D 2.5 abandoned in portmarnock for the last 5 years or so. I keep meaning to enquire about it. I'd say it was laid up following a mechanical problem. it used to look good but its part of a hedge now !