AND:

Some additional comments from Marshall Booth (MBCA Diesel
Technical Advisor), on the subject of 300TD purchase:


The OM60x engines used in the W201/124/'86+ 126s are much quieter then
the older OM61x engine. Part of that IS the engine and part is the
sound encapsulation used in and under the engine compartment (be SURE
the one you buy HAS these panels - some misguided mechanics throw them
away and they are expensive to replace)! The hydraulic valve lifters
CAN make quite a racket if the car has had a steady diet of
conventional oil. Changing to synthetic oil WILL considerably reduce
and eventually may even eliminate all but an occasional clack/clatter
from these "noisemakers" ;-) The '87 300TD is probably my favorite MB
ever!

There are LOTS of little things to look at when buying a 13 year old
car. Ones that I would look for are: AC system - it must produce good
cooling (compressor replacement will usually be well over $1000), the
sunroof must work properly in all modes (sunroof repair can be $1000),
The tail gate must open, stay up and close flawlessly and the "pull
in" motor must engage and pull the gate shut without effort once
contact is made, check that the serpentine belt idler pulley (right
below the horizontal expanse of fan belt at the front to of the
engine) MUST be aligned parallel with the belt - if it's a degree or
two cocked, then it MUST be repaired (the costs could be from
$100-$1000 depending on what is actually worn or broken), the engine
MUST start promptly when dead cold and idle should smooth out within
20-30 seconds! There must be NO evidence of transmission fluid on the
grate at the bottom of the bell housing (where the torque convertor
lives ;-) as that would be evidence of leaking seals (minimum of $500
to fix) and the transmission should shift very smoothly after the 1st
few cold shifts. The power seats should all move effortlessly and all
the windows should work at about the same speed. The cruise control
should be tested! The radio, antenna and cassette player SHOULD work
(though a refurbished radio is available on an exchange basis from
Becker for about $130). Wipers (front and rear) should work smoothly.
Finally, the car should ride and handle about as well as your 300SD -
but just a bit more agile and it should feel more powerful ('cause it
is).

Let me add that the 124 is notorious for having the wires from the "B"
pillar to the rear doors break - seems that the wire was made from
stranded wire with too few strands of wire that was too thick to be
sufficiently flexible. The 201s and 126s made during the same period
did NOT suffer from this failure.

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128