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NutmegCT

NutmegCT

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I'm interested in another "old car". I'm in Connecticut; car is in Washington state. Please shoot me.

I contacted the owner/seller last week, via the email in his ad. Got a reply immediately. Car seems to have a good history, but owner says "needs some engine work".

I ask about the engine. Owner says "might need new piston rings".

The exterior and interior photos looked good, so I asked for a few engine area photos. This arrives:

View attachment 46493

Can't see much on this ol' diesel, and looks like the engine area has been ignored for too long, so I ask if I can have a knowledgeable car guy in the area come out to take a look and make a test drive.

Owner replies "So you're not interested in buying the car?"

I said - "Not without a hands on inspection. When would be convenient to set that up? I'd be glad to call you to talk details."

No reply to that, after five days.

Would you agree it's "time to pass"? or wait another week, in case owner was busy with holiday events.

Tom M.
 
Wait, but without any real expectation. And that : "might need new piston rings". would be a real red flag. Keep looking, Tom.
 
Thanks Doc. If the owner's communication evaporates after my request for an inspection - that's a big ol' red flag too.

I did some web surfing, and found the owner reported engine problems at least ten years ago. Same symptoms, same "might need new rings".

s-01redflag300.jpg


Furp eats ache! After ten years no action taken? But, if it's just dirty fuel filters (two in the M-B four cylinder diesel), or crud in the injectors or lines, might be a simple fix. It needs a personal inspection! (Note: owner didn't realize there were fuel filters ... oy)

grumble grumble
 
Run Tom, run
IMG_2316.PNG
 
:iagree:
 
A different thought: Arguably (i.e. not always), engine mechanicals are easier to fix than cosmetic repairs. Arguably mechanical work requires less specialized equipment. Or if outsourcing, an engine rebuild cost is in the neighborhood 5k, while a body refurb is 10k. (Rough / approximate numbers for discussion - obviously highly variable.)

What if, assume worst case, and offer the price minus (a healthy) deduct for engine work? If the car has been sitting for 10 years, the seller might be happy to "finally" get rid of it.

To be clear, this is not a suggestion, rather putting it out there for discussion. I agree the communication breakdown is odd, especially since the seller has been forthcoming that the engine "needs some work". (I would assume "some" means "lots".) At the end of the day this is a business transaction between buyer and seller. Both want the deal to go through, and the seller ought to recognize that any buyer will want reassurance of a fair transaction.
 
Mike - I was thinking along those lines too. That's why it puzzles (scares) me that the seller evaporated after I suggested a pre purchase inspection.

I'd even offer a negotiated "fair amount" to cover the inspection by an old MB diesel mechanic, a full report, and repairs (approved by me) to the car if needed (engine, trans, brakes, etc.) to make it roadworthy. Especially as the exterior and interior are in very good condition (from the photos anyway).

The original idea was to duplicate the original 1959 trip by a MB diesel sedan from Seattle to NYC.

View attachment 46495

It's the trip I tried to do in 2013, but had to modify due to weather and time.

But if the guy has stopped communicating ...
 
Ah heck, Tom. Just buy it sight-unseen. What could go wrong? :highly_amused:
 
Hey Keith - good to see you're still alive!

How 'bout you buy it sight unseen, and give me a full report ...

(I've seen so many posts on BCF where guys buy cars sight unseen, then spend thousands of dollars - and hours - dealing with the headaches, then to give up and sell at a huge loss. oy)
 
I recall many, many years ago wanting to upgrade the family vehicle. Found a nice mid-70's T-Bird....very local....talked to the owner, showed up in my shop truck to check it out (brakes, suspension, leaks....) and her boyfriend comes out big and gruff trying to impress me, I guess.
"You aren't going to check this car out. She didn't check it out when she bought it, and neither are you".
Well, that attitudinal deficiency was not worth taking the safety to "off" over, so I just smiled and said "hey, great....no problem", loaded my jack back in the truck and left...and saw him in the rear-view mirrors stand in the driveway with a "WT...just happened?" look on his face.
Never went back.

I am sure there is more to this you'll find out, but right now, if the cost of engine repair on an ancient German diseasemal with readily available parts and skilled technicians is estimated on this forum as $5K, I would submit it will be double by the time you are finished (or at least PLAN on that), and take the asking price, subtract the minimum estimated cost of engine repair, cost of transcontinental shipment, and offer that number.
Let's say asking is $10K, deduct $5K minimum on engine, deduct $1K on shipment, and offer him $4K.

I have seen so many MB's of various years in our area get dumped when cost of repair goes through the roof....neighbor alone went through two like that.

I was half owner on a 219 for several years.

Nice solid car....couldn't keep rear tyres on it (hairball swing rear axle) but after that, never, ever again own a German vehicle.
 
Dave - my sentiments exactly. But until someone actually inspects and drives the car, it's all pure conjecture.

Engine could need complete replacement - or just new fuel filters.

But I ain't buyin' a car on conjecture!

Thanks.
Tom M.
(And that T-bird girl's boyfriend - good grief.)
 
NutmegCT said:
Dave - my sentiments exactly. But until someone actually inspects and drives the car, it's all pure conjecture.

Engine could need complete replacement - or just new fuel filters.

But I ain't buyin' a car on conjecture!

Thanks.
Tom M.
(And that T-bird girl's boyfriend - good grief.)
Click to expand...

I agree! Better to buy a car on eBay or Craigslist! :D
 
Wait.

Oh, and Tom.....looks like a Montana plate on that car. And it doesn't reside in Montana...or does it?
And what are the legalities for registering when you move to another state?
And you said you found 10 years ago he was complaining of ring issues?

I'm really starting to smell something bad here.
 
Actually a Minnesota plate. Car was bought by the current owner from the first owner in Regina, SK, just over ten years ago. Drove across the border and first registered it in Minnesota soon after purchase, and it stayed in MN with his daughter for several years. Drove back to Washington state and kept the car on his farm. Never registered in Washington. So in addition to a pre purchase inspection, the title would need to be verified. So if *IF* car checked out ok mechanically, and if *IF* and title/ownership were legally verified, and if *IF* I got it, I'd have to register it in Connecticut. (That's not a big deal in Connecticut, as long as you have the title or proof of registration somewhere. But if there's no legal title or current proof of ownership ... bad news.)

No, owner didn't complain of ring issues ten years ago. He "wondered" if the engine might have ring issues ten years ago. There are several good Mercedes shops in that neck of the woods who could do an engine check, plus, title would have to be proven if the car's mechanicals were to check out ok.

Main thing - if he doesn't want to communicate, it stops now. Thus, no need to worry about title/registration.

Onward through the fog! I'm sure there are other decent 1959 180Ds available!
Tom M.
 
Keith_M said:
Ah heck, Tom. Just buy it sight-unseen. What could go wrong? :highly_amused:
Click to expand...

No, even better, buy it sight unseen across the country, what could go wrong? :rolleyes:

Run Tom, if it was within 100 miles maybe, but you will spend a huge chunk of a rebuild budget just getting it home.
 
Saw a local craigslist post for a '60's something 200D for $1600. List.
But it's definitely in, "bring a trailer" condition.
 
Thanks Guy. I'm looking for a pre-1960 diesel, a 180 or 190.

Keep your eyes open!
Tom M.
 
So, Tom, here is a thought. It does seem to make some sense to buy a car out west and drive it home, then you can re-trace the journey. Is it worth finding someone out there who can buy one for you? Even a broker? For instance, there is a guy on one of my Yahoo groups in Portland who seems to know every goofy car in the Northwest. Gerard is in San Francisco - you might pay more to start but it will likely save you in the long run.
 
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