Mercedes 230E advice 1983

[Thmsshaun]

Recently come across this 1983 230E looking at it as a cheap project along with a friend. Any ideas as to what this car would be worth and what to look out for. Below are some photographs. The worst bits have come out as intended. Please advise acordingly.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Shaun at £450 I think you are paying over the odds considering the rust issues, sorry mate but thats what I believe. £350 ish would be closer to the mark.

 

[Thmsshaun]

Yes Ian. No way I would be paying £450 I was thinking £350 would be top of the mark. Some of the pictures are poor but the rust is well highlighted and that is the worst aspect of the car. looking underneath it seemed solid although the sills had been blacked which I cant get my head round as it didnt seem to be hiding anything.

It is manual windows. Auto box. driver seat is worn otherwise the interior looks tidy.

 

[stever]

Sills are supposed to be dark grey, but often they're painted black after repair. Check the inner sills too - these cars are prone to water leaks which cause puddles under the carpets, followed by rot to inner sills & flooran - MOT failure follows. Guess how I know this! Chrome wheel arches are non-standard and are often hiding rust. To restore the car properly would cost more than buying a well sorted one (which can be had for not much over £1k), but for £350 with T&T to use as a daily driver you can't go too wrong.

 

[Thmsshaun]

This is what I was expecting although there seems to be no obvious sign of repair. Other than the fact they have been painted black.

 

[Dieselman]

Shaun
You need to see this car underneath and under the carpets. The rust in the wings looks pretty advanced and I would expect teh rest of the body to be in a similar state. Pay particular attention to the anti roll bar mountings and subframe mounting points.
Personally I don't think it's worth doing as there is nothing special about a poor W123.

 

[grober]

rust

23 year old rustbucket/ moneypit !!! Sorry.

 

[jaymanek]

Ive got one for sale at about the same price in a LOT better condition... 230E auto, all elecs including sunroof... let me know if interested...

 

[Vips]

shaun, from what I've seen, If I REALLY had to buy this, than 250.00 would be my max and I'd tell the seller to take it or leave it.

As Dieselman said, there is nothing great about this model, but if you're going to use it for a while as a run around than thats fine. But IMHO 250.00 is maxm.

 

[fatherpierre]

It's worth £200 absolute MAX. I personally wouldn't give £50 for it

I buy these all the time and ones in good condition go for less than £500 on ebay.

Have a look at this one ending on ebay soon:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....20007459810&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

 

[fatherpierre]

Compare and contrast the heap you're considering with this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....90007596661&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

 

[Thmsshaun]

Compare and contrast the heap you're considering with this one:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....90007596661&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

That is a nice example. It was an idea of madness. hence taking the pics and posting on here for the valid views I have recieved. It would be mainly to use as a workhorse but looking at that I dont think its worth any more than £100


Thanks for all the responses.

 

[fatherpierre]

That is a nice example. It was an idea of madness. hence taking the pics and posting on here for the valid views I have recieved. It would be mainly to use as a workhorse but looking at that I dont think its worth any more than £100


Thanks for all the responses.

And the one listed ended at only £30 over the one you were considering .

You can pick up 280 estates for not much cash with long MOTs - they are the abuse takers! I had one that took lashings of stick (and concrete) for 3 years and I spent nothing more on it than MOT money, insurance and petrol! Not a single service in the 15k I put on her.

 

[Thmsshaun]

The other thing look at the time of my original post. The pics were taken maybe 30 mins before hand. Suprised I didnt get picked up by the Plod for snooping around at that time of night. An alcohol induced thought

Thanks again fatherpierre. Going to keep my eyes open for a load lugger and something that can go on classic insurance as well.

 

[andy_k]

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[andy_k]

It's worth £200 absolute MAX. I personally wouldn't give £50 for it

I buy these all the time and ones in good condition go for less than £500 on ebay.

Have a look at this one ending on ebay soon:

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....20007459810&rd=1&sspagename=STRK:MEWA:IT&rd=1

just so happened that car was about a mile from us and the winning bidder failed to turn up and complete the sale

we bought it this afternoon for £330

1978 car, full history and under 43k miles

inside it's like new and once it's had a good service it will drive like one
__________________
<insert smart sounding witty comment here>

 

[Will]

That sounds like a great bargain there Andy - are you planning to keep it or clean it up/service it and sell it on?

Can't buy a great deal for £330 - that's about three hours labour at the main dealers

Well done

Will

 

[andy_k]

we are keeping it - well to be more accurate Annie is keeping it I'm not a great lover of the W123s but she is and has been complaining how much she misses having one ever since I sold ours (3 years ago now!!)

It's replacement for the Mondeo which will be up for sale as soon as it's been valeted.

Andy

 

[Will]

Should make a good car that, nice that it's being kept local and is going to be used

Sounds nice with those miles.

Hope it all works out well,

Will

 

[fatherpierre]

Nice one.

Give a good t cut and the red should re-appear!