Howdy Benz enthusiasts/fountains of knowledge,

I have long been wanting to locate a beast of transportational burden to sway to the ways of biofuel for my rhambling ways. Recently I found a potential suitor, but am a bit naive in the world of vehicles that are slightly older than I. I was hoping to share my findings and get some feedback from you folks. (e.g. what the price of the rig should be, what type of bank I can expect to throw into it, if it sounds feasible, or if I should RUN from this car).

Here's the scoop:
1982 Mercedes 300TD Wagon
190.5K
5 cyl inline
Automatic tranny (I think they all are in this year w/ the TD correct?)
Glowplugs-good
Fuel injectors - might need some love
Ball Joint
Bushing - all these need some love
Brakes
Alternator - good
Starter- good
Tailgate strut - needs love
Seals in engine - probably need some love
Electronics (some) - seem to have shorted out
Manual Moon Roof
Power doors/windows
AM/FM Cassette

As I am beginning to learn each of these vintage of vehicles seems to have a story and this one is certainly no different. Through my test drive and session with the current owner I have the brief following:

Vehicle is from East Coast, where somewhere after being driven about sat in an apple orchard for 5 years. Current owner acquired it from orchard, fixed it as needed drove it about on East Coast and then back across country to Midwest. Drove it some in midwest and now it hangs out in Duluth Minnesota. Heat does not work and was driven through a winter or two w/ current owner wearing all his winter gear on commute to Isabella MN (think WICKED COLD). Vehicle does not like winter too much. LOVES block heater. DOES NOT LIKE blockheater when stored outside. LOVES block heater when stored in garage. Vehicle has been hanging out in various garages over the previous year in Duluth Minnesota, not being driven more than a few blocks @ a time during test drives until I took it out for a 45 min cruise through city and back roads (highway around Duluth) last week.

Here's what that entailed:
Initially, pretty stoked about vehicle.

Upon walk around inspection there were small amounts of body rust on the car. The rear end seems to sag (is this because the suspension is some vacuum thing?) and there happened to be a few areas of rust on the frame. (I did not get it up on a hoist, nor was I able to get under it fully due to the low clearance in the garage/ street). The underside of the engine was oily, and there were spots of oil on the floor of the garage where it'd been hanging out, not excessive, but noticable. Under the front right wheel well there are a few small bits of light showing through, e.g. rusted through fender. When compressing the shocks the right front makes a funny noise, kind of like a knock.

We had to jump the car (probably since its been sitting for a 8 months since last test drive? Started fine after that. Engine seemed to idle a bit harsh, then settled down. Puffed some white smoke for a while - making me think all the fuel isn't burning properly (e.g. fuel injector - this thought was confirmed by owner, as his mechanic friend had a look @ vehicle not so long ago and told him that was probably the case - not sure which one though)

Driving though town was a bit rough at first, then got smoother on the highway and back into town. I have never owned an automatic transmission, but this car seemed to wind up (no wine or anything) and then LUNK -shifting into the next gear. IT was a solid shift, didn't seem to struggle or slip in that regard. The steering seemed a little 'floaty' and I don't know if that is on account of the shock/ball joint issue on the right side. Part of me is thinking its the ball joint not the shock, because of the steering and when we drove over bumps it definitely made a 'knocking noise'. Brakes definitely need to be loved upon (I think its just the pads, but we were probably rolling about 80% or less on those)

Once on the highway the engine was really smooth, I wouldn't be passing logging trucks in northern wisco, but it held its own and held it well. Fun vehicle to drive.

I just wanted to get some feedback from you folks and see if this vehicle could be a solid runner w/ a little love. (And to find out how much that love will cost - ballpark) I can be a fairly handy person w/ the right space and local knowledge base and this era of vehicle seem to have a simple enough engine layout; it's just all the other stuff, electrical, vacuum etc that I might have to scratch the noggin a bit on.

As it stands the owner is asking $1250 for the vehicle. Which is a bit more than I have, especially considering I was thinking I'd have to stick a grand into it to get it where I'd like it to be. I was hoping some folks could ad their .02 about this potential project and I'd do what I can from there.

Thanks again for taking the time to read this and I look forward to hearing back from the forum folks.

Cheers
Brian