16 year old with 85' 300SD as first car... Many questions!

[eka_242@msn.com]

First off, I would like to say that this is a great forum. I spent about an hour just reading before I registered, and I can't say enough about the wealth of information on this website. It's reall great.

Now into the good stuff. I am 16 years old and I live in Virginia. I was given this car by my father as my first car. Most people my age are driving little ricer Hondas, but I love my Mercedes. Since it was given to me, I have a few dollars to use in fixing it up. Here are some basics.

183,000 miles. Light Blue on gray, navy interior. Just had brake pads replaced, new alternator belts, needs alot of work. Seats are cracking, a few cracks in dashboard, carpets are a mess, tach works off and on, needs paint, some trim work, the basic things that I have read happen to these cars. But I really do like this car, slow acceleration and all, so I would like to fix some of these things. Luckily for me, the previous owner was an audiophile so he dropped in an Alpine reciever and had a sub in the car that wasnt included in the sale, but its now wired as soon as I get one. I have some basic diesel knowledge, Im taking my 2nd year of shop in school and all we do is diesel. No working on them yet, but all of the book stuff was diesel, so I understand pretty well. Here are some of my questions.

1. What wheel/trie package can I get for this car? My allows were too far past saving when I got them, they are stripping so I am looking for something newer that will fit.

2. Anything I can do about the dashboard/upholstry without ripping it all out and spending lots to replace it?

3. I sometimes get a on and off blinking of the left turn signal when I start the car. Its a pattern of 3 times coming on and off, so it's definatly a signal of something. I believe that it was the loose belt to the alternator (now fixed) not charging the battery, but it still happens ever so often. Just looking to confirm whats going on.

4. Any basic maintinance I need to look into at this milage level?

5. How much do you pay for diesel fuel? It's $2.09 around here.

I can't say enough thank you's in advance. I am so glad I found these forums, I am sure that the replies will be great. Thanks again.

[MS Fowler]

First off, welcome to the board, and congradulations on your first car!
I can help with a few of your questions.
But first, Do you have any documentation from the previous owner(s) of the car?
Change all fluids, including the brake fluid and rear end.
Change all filters.
check for and correct feul leaks.
The cracked dash can be covered by a cap.
Is the interior leather or MB Tex? What part of Virginia are you in? There is a chain of U-Pull-It parts junk yards around Baltimore that have some W126 cars. You can pull seats for about $40 each with tracks, if you can find good ones. Carpet goes for $5 per section. If you have leather, it can often be restored. Visit the leatherique.com web site. I have one of their kits on order. I'll post about my results after i use it.

[E300D]

Originally Posted by eka_242@msn.com

First off, I would like to say that this is a great forum. I spent about an hour just reading before I registered, and I can't say enough about the wealth of information on this website. It's reall great.

Now into the good stuff. I am 16 years old and I live in Virginia. I was given this car by my father as my first car. Most people my age are driving little ricer Hondas, but I love my Mercedes. Since it was given to me, I have a few dollars to use in fixing it up. Here are some basics.

183,000 miles. Light Blue on gray, navy interior. Just had brake pads replaced, new alternator belts, needs alot of work. Seats are cracking, a few cracks in dashboard, carpets are a mess, tach works off and on, needs paint, some trim work, the basic things that I have read happen to these cars. But I really do like this car, slow acceleration and all, so I would like to fix some of these things. Luckily for me, the previous owner was an audiophile so he dropped in an Alpine reciever and had a sub in the car that wasnt included in the sale, but its now wired as soon as I get one. I have some basic diesel knowledge, Im taking my 2nd year of shop in school and all we do is diesel. No working on them yet, but all of the book stuff was diesel, so I understand pretty well. Here are some of my questions.

1. What wheel/trie package can I get for this car? My allows were too far past saving when I got them, they are stripping so I am looking for something newer that will fit.

2. Anything I can do about the dashboard/upholstry without ripping it all out and spending lots to replace it?

3. I sometimes get a on and off blinking of the left turn signal when I start the car. Its a pattern of 3 times coming on and off, so it's definatly a signal of something. I believe that it was the loose belt to the alternator (now fixed) not charging the battery, but it still happens ever so often. Just looking to confirm whats going on.

4. Any basic maintinance I need to look into at this milage level?

5. How much do you pay for diesel fuel? It's $2.09 around here.

I can't say enough thank you's in advance. I am so glad I found these forums, I am sure that the replies will be great. Thanks again.

.


Welcome to the forum

I am only 2 years older than you and I like diesel cars as well, specially MB. I drive around in my parents 95 E300D. I do whatever it takes to keep the car in mint condition. And most of my friends and people my age are into rice mobiles as well.

I can help you with one of your quesitions, that is the maintenance. Make sure all the fuel filters have been replaced, do a trannys service and change all the fluids, dont forget about the differential. Ofcourse engine oil change too.

Do you have service records, has the car been maintained? You may findout that a MB, even diesel with poor maintenace can be very costly.


Enjoy you car


PS: I want to see some pics!

Here is the E300D that I maintain:.

New Diesel Benz

[Gilly]

1. Not sure on wheels and tires

2. Dashboard; you can get a carpet pad (they are sold for different applications) that goes over the top of the dash (there is a better name for these things, can't think of it). Upholstery, if you mean the seats, get some SEAT COVERS.

3. Well, it's not a warning signal for anything, that much I do know.

4. Maintenance, it would help to know the service history. If unknown, I would start with oil and filter change, fuel filters, air filter, transmission service, brake fluid flush, replace coolant, check pump timing and throttle linkage, lessee, an 85 doesn't need valves adjusted I believe.

5. I get it free (inside joke, don't ask)

Gilly

[eka_242@msn.com]

My father drove it for about 2 years before he bought his 02' Acura RL. He says he has some documentation from the previous owner, but not a whole lot. It's leather. Everything has been checked out, but not replaced he says. I bought a manual recently on ebay for around $20, just something nice to have. I will check out this place in MD, I live around the Richmond area so it's a little far for me. The interior is leather. Where can I get more information about these caps for the dash?

Thanks.

Originally Posted by eka_242@msn.com

My father drove it for about 2 years before he bought his 02' Acura RL. He says he has some documentation from the previous owner, but not a whole lot. It's leather. Everything has been checked out, but not replaced he says. I bought a manual recently on ebay for around $20, just something nice to have. I will check out this place in MD, I live around the Richmond area so it's a little far for me. The interior is leather. Where can I get more information about these caps for the dash?

Thanks.

Potomac German, is somewhere between Baltimore and DC. They are MB specialist and sell used parts etc. ...............BB

[Hatterasguy]

Gilly last I checked the 617 was still in use in 1985.

Adjust the valves, do a diesel purge, change all fluids and filters. Use German filters and a good diesel rated oil.

On older cars check the engine mounts, if they are original they need replacing.

The oil cooler hoses are a known problem area, if they blow you lose the engine. Use only OE hoses about $200 for both.

Go over the car and see what it needs.

As to a nicer wheel and tire package, try Tirerack.com. Luke works for them and is a mod in the tire forum and he can help you. They offer about 22 different wheels that will fit a W126, some need spacers. Be carefull the 18in wheels will need expensive H&R spaces ($300) and will rub a bit if you have a lot of people in the car. 16in is a great size for these cars.

Enjoy.

[1985 300SD Sady]

Originally Posted by eka_242@msn.com

First off, I would like to say that this is a great forum. I spent about an hour just reading before I registered, and I can't say enough about the wealth of information on this website. It's reall great.

Now into the good stuff. I am 16 years old and I live in Virginia. I was given this car by my father as my first car. Most people my age are driving little ricer Hondas, but I love my Mercedes. Since it was given to me, I have a few dollars to use in fixing it up. Here are some basics.

183,000 miles. Light Blue on gray, navy interior. Just had brake pads replaced, new alternator belts, needs alot of work. Seats are cracking, a few cracks in dashboard, carpets are a mess, tach works off and on, needs paint, some trim work, the basic things that I have read happen to these cars. But I really do like this car, slow acceleration and all, so I would like to fix some of these things. Luckily for me, the previous owner was an audiophile so he dropped in an Alpine reciever and had a sub in the car that wasnt included in the sale, but its now wired as soon as I get one. I have some basic diesel knowledge, Im taking my 2nd year of shop in school and all we do is diesel. No working on them yet, but all of the book stuff was diesel, so I understand pretty well. Here are some of my questions.

1. What wheel/trie package can I get for this car? My allows were too far past saving when I got them, they are stripping so I am looking for something newer that will fit.

2. Anything I can do about the dashboard/upholstry without ripping it all out and spending lots to replace it?

3. I sometimes get a on and off blinking of the left turn signal when I start the car. Its a pattern of 3 times coming on and off, so it's definatly a signal of something. I believe that it was the loose belt to the alternator (now fixed) not charging the battery, but it still happens ever so often. Just looking to confirm whats going on.

4. Any basic maintinance I need to look into at this milage level?

5. How much do you pay for diesel fuel? It's $2.09 around here.

I can't say enough thank you's in advance. I am so glad I found these forums, I am sure that the replies will be great. Thanks again.

Its great to see another young teenager deciding that Retro Diesel is better than Foreign Rice Burners...

I myself am 15 years old with a 1985 300SD named Sady... Love her to death although shes not quite done yet... wont start for anything! 1985 300SD
^Here is a link to my thread about my car... you probably will NOT want to take the time in reading it, seeing as it is the largest thread in the history of Diesel Discussion... Basically, im just finally finishing up an engine swap.I live in Cincinnati, Ohio

Also, rg2098 who is 15 and has a 300D... who lives up neat Detriot, also near Whunter < Invaluable, maybe he'll chime in... And near Mplafleur...

Anyway, for Number 1, go to www.tirerack.com you can see what rims/tires fit your car, and what they would look like on your car. Also the Owner of tirerack is the Moderator for the Wheels/Tires forum for Mercedesshop.

Number 2.. as said before check local U-pull yards, and on the net for Dash caps.

Number 3 Im not sure of and have not heard of..

Number 4 As said before, filters and fluids, but also, dont forget your vavle adjustments.

Number 5 about the same around here, have you heard of converting your car to run on vegetable oil? Whunter has a master WVO (waste vegetable oil) conversion link thread... also, This site is very informative << vegetable oil conversion forum... look for Danalinscott... Eventually I will be doing a vegetable oil conversion as these cars are great for them..

You might want to take a look at http://auto.howstuffworks.com/diesel.htm for a very good explaination of how diesels work, this is how I learned.

Hope this helps.

And WELCOME!

[1985 300SD Sady]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Gilly last I checked the 617 was still in use in 1985.

Adjust the valves, do a diesel purge, change all fluids and filters. Use German filters and a good diesel rated oil.

On older cars check the engine mounts, if they are original they need replacing.

The oil cooler hoses are a known problem area, if they blow you lose the engine. Use only OE hoses about $200 for both.

Go over the car and see what it needs.

As to a nicer wheel and tire package, try Tirerack.com. Luke works for them and is a mod in the tire forum and he can help you. They offer about 22 different wheels that will fit a W126, some need spacers. Be carefull the 18in wheels will need expensive H&R spaces ($300) and will rub a bit if you have a lot of people in the car. 16in is a great size for these cars.

Enjoy.

Cheater! I started typing before you!!!

[Hatterasguy]

Type faster!

[eka_242@msn.com]

All these replys are great!

Hatteras, I saw in your thread that you have these wheels..

"Mille Miglia Bello
16x7.5
Wearing Yokohama Avid, 225/55/16, V4S tires. Sorry their V rated not Z. "

I saw these on TireRack.com and they say they will fit my 300SD. How much total did you pay for wheels and tires if you don't mind me asking? They caught my eye, I think they will look very nice on my car.

85 300SD Sady, Thanks for the link, I will be sure to look into that. I am planning on replacing all these filters and fluids now, sound fun. Can't wait for some free time to do it in.

[TurboDawgs]

I too live in Virginia.. Actually Richmond.. I have a few places that we scout for parts and if you are in this area, we would be happy to give you some tips. There is a place here that refinishes wheels but you can also find some stock ones if you like.. Just let us know and we will do what we can to help..

My Son negotiated a deal on a 78 300D for his 12th Birthday. She is rough but we drive her... I told him he had a set of Glow Plugs to learn how to install soon..

[eka_242@msn.com]

Im a little north of Richmond, in the suburbs. Im all for parts hunting, Ive got dead motors for the windows on both the drivers side windows and much more stuff to do, but I am really excited about all of it. Im eager to learn.

[Hatterasguy]

No I don't mind at all.

Tires $96x4
Wheels $149x4
total $980.00
+freight $80.05

So sitting on my front door= $1060.05

Not bad considering, they give you 20 free lugs, MB center caps, and a nice balance job. They are a great combo and not only look good but handle better as well. No down sides 10k or so miles later.

[eka_242@msn.com]

Have any pictures? This sounds like just what I was looking for. I do want to get all of the maintinance issues out of the way before I drop that much on wheels.

Thanks again, you have been a very big help already in just an hour or two.