Which marketplaces are best for finding vintage Mercedes diesel cars for sale?

Question

So Ive been a huge fan of the old W123 and W126 chassis for years, basically grew up with an 84 300D in the driveway. I know my way around an OM617 engine and I can usually spot a vacuum leak or a bad glow plug from a mile away. But honestly looking for one lately has been a total nightmare. I sold my last project a few years ago and now I'm back in the market for a clean driver, maybe another 300TD wagon if I can find one that hasn't been eaten by rust. Im in the PNW and my budget is around $12,000 which used to get you a mint car but now everything on Craigslist is either a total basket case or priced like a museum piece on Bring a Trailer. I checked Facebook Marketplace but its just endless is this still available ghosting and people who dont know what they have. I’m trying to get something sorted before my road trip down the coast in July. Where are people actually finding the solid, enthusiast-owned cars these days without paying those crazy auction premiums? Are there specific forums or lesser-known classified sites that are still active for these old diesels?

qplwxhioyn · Accepted Answer

Coming back to this now. Before digging deeper, are you looking for a car that has already had a professional safety inspection on the steering and suspension, or are you strictly hunting for a rust-free body to work on? I always worry about the mechanical integrity of these older models on long drives. Here are two options I have been researching:

PeachParts Forum Classifieds:

Pros: Usually owned by people who actually understand the OM617 engine.
Cons: The site is dated and it can be hard to filter for local PNW cars.

MercedesSource:

Pros: Very thorough vetting process for mechanical reliability.
Cons: Prices are often high and inventory is limited. Documentation is key for me. I would feel much better buying a car if the owner can prove they used parts like Bosch Duraterm 80006 Glow Plug instead of no-name brands. Its a safety thing, honestly.

Kennethcek · Answer

I totally feel your pain man. Craigslist used to be my go-to but honestly, its been such a letdown lately with all the junk. I spent months hunting for a clean W123 last year and just kept finding rust buckets hidden under fresh paint. Are you looking for something thats strictly a daily driver, or are you okay with doing some cosmetic work? Also, does the odometer have to be working?