could this be a good wagon?

supposed to be selling big parts of the p71 this weekend. like more than enough to pay for this:

http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/1904307964.html

so is the 300te a good car? avoid at all costs with 160k? some goofy mercedes only brake line flares and fittings that would make putting a new line on impossible or cost as much as the car?

if its still around when i get paid for the other stuff i was thinking of taking a look, but you guys know best.

patgizz wrote: so is the 300te a good car?

Not really, no. What has that stopped anybody?

avoid at all costs with 160k?

Well, if it's a turbo, the turbo is probably shot. I haven't driven a Mercedes Diesel that didn't have a crapped out turbo.

Look carefully at the body. Mercedes like to rust in areas that aren't immediately obvious. The usual pick and poke and check it out thoroughly.

One of my friends has a 300TD, and he gets about 19mpg highway. Fuel economy is not one of the benefits you get with this vehicle. (Did I mention that he bought it when the precious juice was nearly $5/gallon? OUCH)

some goofy mercedes only brake line flares and fittings that would make putting a new line on impossible or cost as much as the car?

One nice thing about German cars, the fittings are almost always 10x1.0 bubble flare. They're big on standardization over there. That said, I usually re-use the fittings on any lines I do: cut it off at the nut, use a socket to remove, drill out what's left of the line, give it a good spin against a wire wheel while holding it in a small triangular file (use washers to prevent handle destruction), and they are good to go 95% of the time.

I do go through a lot of 3/16" drill bits, though. I've become expert at sharpening them but you can only do that so often before there's no bit left.

patgizz wrote: supposed to be selling big parts of the p71 this weekend. like more than enough to pay for this: http://akroncanton.craigslist.org/cto/1904307964.html so is the 300te a good car? avoid at all costs with 160k? some goofy mercedes only brake line flares and fittings that would make putting a new line on impossible or cost as much as the car? if its still around when i get paid for the other stuff i was thinking of taking a look, but you guys know best.

Answering the bolded part, yes, it is an excellent car. Very reliable, very well built. But its gonna cost you. When things wear out, and I assume they already are on that car, its expensive. I'd say run away from that one, because to have a decent car, I think you'd have to be putting at least 2-4 grand into it. Not an expert though

Knurled wrote: I haven't driven a Mercedes Diesel that didn't have a crapped out turbo.

Not a diesel.

I have never seen a mercedes wagon that didn't need a major and costly overhaul of the self leveling rear suspension system. Its a shame too as I do quite like the looks of them.

ditchdigger wrote: I have never seen a mercedes wagon that didn't need a major and costly overhaul of the self leveling rear suspension system. Its a shame too as I do quite like the looks of them.

If 'Wheeler Dealers' is anything to go by, it's simple enough to replace it with a conventional setup.

possible chevy v8 swap then...

For that kind of money I would at least go take a look. The pick and pull close to me usually has one or two 300 Mercs .

Agreed. If all else fails, you could probably part it out and be ahead.

Personally that car looks like a good Wheeler Dealers candidate. I would fix the brakes, get it inspected, clean it up and flip it for profit before anything else breaks.

cool.

definitely could be flippable. i'm going to start doing that, as last time i was flipping/parting cars on the side i was able to make enough to get into my vette and p71 in the same month. i am a sucker for wagons, but if i could turn a nice profit and step into a 94-96 LT1 caprice wagon i'd do it immediately.

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yup sold while i was at work.