I'm thinking about buying this Mercedes Wagon. Y/N?

"TheBaron2112" (TheBaron2112)
01/05/2015 at 13:47 • Filed to: None

Here's the Craigslist ad:

!!! UNKNOWN CONTENT TYPE !!!

And the owner made a short video of a sort of walk around.

So here is what I'm worried about:

Specifically, the rust in front of the rear seat. The seller says it's surface rust, but why would there be surface rust on the INSIDE of the car? The seller said they would get a video of the underside of the car to verify that this is the only rust on it. My guess is that there's rust in about this location under the car. And it's worrying.

It has had a recent service from a good mechanic in the seller's area.

The seller said that the self leveling suspension is in good working order, as is the vacuum system. But one of the rear windows doesn't roll down. The seller knows what the problem is, but hasn't been able to fix it yet. Air conditioning doesn't work either.

So, what say you, Oppo?

Should I go for it? I want a wagon. I want a W123. It's the right color. But I haven't ever owned a diesel before, I haven't owned a Merc, and the SLS and vacuum system are scary. There are Merc shops around town here, so maintenance shouldn't be bad.

Is there anything I need to really know going into this?

Halp.

DISCUSSION (17)

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > TheBaron2112
01/05/2015 at 13:53

Would this be your DD, if so, do you know how to fix stuff WHEN it breaks? If the answer to the DD part is yes and to the other part no.. DON'T buy it... otherwise I'd say go for it (Even though it seems a bit expensive to me.. w123s cost like $1500-2000 here in Norway in that state).

TheBaron2112 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
01/05/2015 at 13:55

Ah, sorry. I left out info.

This would be my second car used for fun/work/play/etc. I also own a FiST. So this would be much more utilitarian and comfortable. And not at all vital to my transportation.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > TheBaron2112
01/05/2015 at 13:58

If the price is normal for your area, buy it. Great cars, they can run on olive oil for f%¤#s sake ;P And they look awesome.

TheBaron2112 > Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh
01/05/2015 at 13:59

There was another one that I saw that had been converted to run on vegetable oil. He had a few mods to make it do that and I didn't want to bother with it because I'm just going to fill it with diesel.

505Turbeaux > TheBaron2112
01/05/2015 at 14:00

ok, here is the rundown. There are alot more than those miles on it. Those drivers seats are never that beat before 250K. Just so you know.

Probably leaks inside the car, which is why there is rust there on the inside in front of the rear seat, where water usually pools

that is THE WORST color to have as a diesel. So hard to keep clean, and hard to get spots out of.

SLS and vac systems arent scary, but they do require some somewhat different techniques to maintain

BUT 85 is a great year for them.

Laird Andrew Neby Bradleigh > TheBaron2112
01/05/2015 at 14:02

Hehe, I can understand that. My point was that the engines in the old MBs are insane, the only thing you need to run them on used oil from mackie Dee or something is just an extra filter or two (unless it's cold outside that is).

Agrajag > TheBaron2112
01/05/2015 at 14:03

Here is a guide I made for the W123. And here are links for my 6 part ordeal involving rust in the same spot. 1. 2. 3. 4 . 5. 6. The undercoating on these is ridiculously tough and give the illusion of a sturdy floor. I think that price is a bit high considering the overall condition. I've seen near mint ones go for $4500.

I paid $1600 for mine, but it needed a new exhaust, and an assortment of front end components.

TheBaron2112 > 505Turbeaux
01/05/2015 at 14:06

Leaks. That's actually something I hadn't thought of. I'll definitely know about that if the underside comes out to be clean.

And could it be that it's been parked outside, not in a garage and that's why the seats are so worn looking? The owner said it was the work car for their coffee shop. And that immediately makes me think that it was driven around by high school kids, and summarily thrashed.

TheBaron2112 > Agrajag
01/05/2015 at 14:09

Fantastic information! Thanks very much.

505Turbeaux > TheBaron2112
01/05/2015 at 14:09

those Odometers often fail, and there is a problem in the horsehair on those seat bases sometimes (with a nice foam fix), but the seat cover itself is super misshapen.

BUT word to the wise on this one, if you think that interior is thrashed because of kid abuse, think of how the transmission internals are doing on an underpowered car with a bunch of kids driving it. And as a work car, you know it got beat on. I would pass on this one as a first diesel. Too pricey for the risk.

Jonee > TheBaron2112
01/05/2015 at 14:10

Great car and a good way to learn about diesels, but I wouldn't spend more than 2 grand on it.

TheBaron2112 > 505Turbeaux
01/05/2015 at 14:13

I'll see what the seller says based on the inspection and other questions I asked. As for the price, I think it is high, but it's about average for what I've run across.

The other cars I've seen have either been eat up with rust, or ridiculously overpriced. For example, the 85 Euro model I looked at (EVERYTHING IS IN GERMAN! FACTORY AIR BAG! FACTORY ALARM! FACTORY SKID PLATES!) FACTORY HEADLIGHT WIPERS!) the guy was asking 6 grand for.

Ridiculous.

And yeah, the transmission I'm sort of concerned about. I don't know if this is a one owner car. It can't be. But yeah, the thought of an underpowered car being beaten by coffee shop employees is disheartening.

505Turbeaux > TheBaron2112
01/05/2015 at 14:17

when are you going to look at it? You have to shake that front end down for play pretty well too. If you are on facebook you can find me and message me if you have any questions when you are inspecting it.

TheBaron2112 > 505Turbeaux
01/05/2015 at 14:20

Thanks again. I've added you on facebook. I'm Cayce Grissom.

The car is in Asheville, NC and I'm in Nashville, TN. I don't have plans to look at it just yet, but if things turn out well on this next round of emails, I think I can put a trip together. And when I do, I will certainly hit you up for info.

I appreciate it.

505Turbeaux > TheBaron2112
01/05/2015 at 14:22

cool, any time man. A few of us around here know our shit on those. TFritch and RamblinRover I know for certain know them inside and out

TheBaron2112 > 505Turbeaux
01/05/2015 at 14:23

Any Oppos with Mercs in the Asheville/Appalachian area you know of?

505Turbeaux > TheBaron2112
01/05/2015 at 14:33

according to the guide http://oppositelock.jalopnik.com/the-official-o… I think Ramblinrover might be fairly close to there, but I am not sure about the others. Agrajag is East Coast but not too close