I Just found a 1981 300D with 73K, ALL records from day one. It is at local Benz store, always serviced at the dealer.! I was even able to talk to the owner (65 year old lady). The car looks like new, no rust, no dash/wood cracks. cold air. power lokcs work, windows work, drives like a dream. The owner spent $7000 having the car "restored"/painted in 2002. This included fixing some minor rust and a very nice paint job. The only issues are
1) cruise not working
2) passenger side front window goes up and down but kind of hesitates like some gears are broken (going up & down).
3) manual nob to regulate engine speed is frozen
4) engine runs smooth, however when sitting in park or with brake on, the car vibrates (not very bad). The sales manager says it is most likely the motor mounts have worn out.

They are willing to take $5,500.

So what do you all think? The issues anything to worry about? The price fair?

I have been looking for an old diesel for a long time - this car is just amazing!

Thanks!

They want $5500

Myself....I wouldn't pay that much for an 81 300 that has repair issues. But that's me . You have to go with your heart and your wallet. You have to realize also it's very easy to pump $2K into these older cars on thing that need to be done - now it's a $7500 car

Is this car a rust zone car?

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00 E420
98 E300 DT
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97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

That is certainly a very high price for the car, but '81 was a very good year for the 300D (only year for the N/A engine with ACC III). The issues you mention sound pretty minor and are not at all uncommon, assuming the shaking really is only motor mounts or the rack damper (which is likely).

Were any suspension components included in the 'restoration'? If not, you're looking at at least $1000 worth of work to bring the ride and handling back into tip-top shape. Is the AC original, or was that done too?

Get the car up on a lift and look very carefully for rust. Poke the floors with a screwdriver to see if anything is less than 100% solid, particularly along the sills and under the back seat. Pull the battery and tray, there's likely at least a little rust under there. Pull the trunk liners and the spare tire. Check the drains under the hood hinges.

Have the dealer do a StarMark-style inspection; it'll cost but will doubtlessly uncover more issues that can be used as bargaining points.

If the car fully checks out and you can work on it yourself and you plan to keep the car for a long time, it may not be a bad deal over the long term. But they are definately asking a premium price, so make sure it is truly a premium (and not just pretty) car.

Good luck,
Tom

The new paint, nice interior, and low mileage may make this car very appealing, but make sure to address some of those issues, especially the vibration, before purchase.

I'd recommend checking out the motor mounts and shocks yourself before purchase to make sure they are the source of the problem. Very simple, cheap repair to have done. If they look good, your next try would be the rack dampener bolt. Ask them if their records show that the upgraded version has been installed.

If both are good, then for the price they're putting forth, I'd ask that a compression test be done before you commit to buy. If low compression was the source of the vibration, that vehicle wouldn't be worth anywhere near $5,500, no matter how good it looks (unless you're willing to pay for an engine rebuild).

__________________
"I would rather be ashes than dust!
I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brillaint blaze
than it should be stifled by dryrot.
I would rather be a superb meteor,
every atom of me in magnificent glow,
than a sleepy and permanent planet.
The proper function of man is to live, not to exist.
I shall not waste my days in trying to prolong them.
I shall use my time."

-Jack London 1876-1916

1983 300CDT (running WVO since 12/05)
1981 300SD (parts car)

Where is the car located?

__________________
Jim

Normally aspirated cars don't have rack dampners correct??

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

The car is located in the midwest, but as I said it has 7K spent on repaint. Honestly I could not even tell it had been painted it very good job. The undercairage look like new, no rust at bottom of doors, trunk well etc...

Where in the midwest is this car? I will look at it to see if it is worth the price if it is close to me

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1977 300D Lost coolant while someone else was driving
1983 300D Can't run without oil
1985 300SD (gone but not forgotten)
1990 300TE 4matic Sold
1991 Yamaha Venture
1975 Kawsaki 250 triple
1974 Honda 200CL
1951 8N Ford
2008 Wildfire 650C