I test drove a 78 300D with 245000 on it today. It's selling for 1500 just down the road from me.

It drove surprisingly well and the tranny shifted nicely thru all four gears using the kickdown which worked well, despite there being obvious vacume problems as the doorlocks didnt unlock from the drivers door.

Incredibly enough the A/C worked. I was getting interested in the car but noticed a couple of things that concerned me slightly.

When breaking the break light came on. It went off as soon as you let up on the pedal. Also pulled to the left when breaking. Any idea what could be causing this? And although the fuel guage indicated over a quarter full the reserve light came on and off intermittantly while driving. Could there be an electrical fault in the instrument cluster somewhere and would this be a difficult thing to fix? I'm happy to tackle many things myself if I can but electrical stuff kinda scares me.

The guy's asking 1500 for it and while it's not in perfecct condition by any means it drives nicely enough with very little smoke. I'm interested in trying to get it as a long term project car. Something to teach myself Mercedes mechanicing on.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

like a decent car. the brake light may just be a worn pad lighting up the wear sensor. the pulling may be from worn pads also or from a stuck caliper. neither is expensive to fix. the door lock thing could be a vacuum leak or possibly electrical (is this car like the 126 with vac/ elect. door locks?) the gas guage may need a new sender. i am guessing the warning light is correct and the sender has gone south. also not hard to change. generally mb electrical is better than most by far.

that said, if you are mechanically inclined you will be fine. it is an old car so it will always have something going wrong. it prob drives like a new car, benzez always do even if they need everything. so if you dont mind tinkering you can have a really fine car for the price of less than anew econobox. much much safer too.

good luck. wouldnt hurt to have a pro check it out. if you dont, if the engine idles really smoothly it is prob ok.

__________________
[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I fear the car might go before I can arrange to have it checked out etc. Or even arrange finances for it. The engine did indeed idle smooth and as it's been an Arizona car it's whole life it's completely rust free, including jacking points and under the floor mats etc. Nice to hear the sender is easily replaceable. I'm not a mechanic but am increasingly willing to try and learn and I think this might be a car to do that on if I can swing the deal next week.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Beware the type I ACC! Make sure it works properly on all settings...if it doesn't it's a pain in the ass to troubleshoot. I'm on my second 'servo-equiped' car...I hate it.. Although the pushbottons on the console look '70s funky.

The NA 300Ds are pretty cool. They get off the line better than the turbos, and the acceleration is more linear, if slower. Great around town cars as they have plenty of grunt to get going quickly. I cruise mine at 70 mph no problem and it returns 27mpg.

My fuel gauge flickers sometimes and the light comes on early too, I just go by the trip odometer.

After I shutoff my engine, there is a 20 second window where the power locks work- after that I go manual. Whatever. Maybe I'll fix it sometime.

My AC works well, although its been converted to R134. Not as cold as my freon system in the SE.

Which brake light is illuminating? Red or orange? Red indicateds a hydraulic fault, while orange means pads are worn.

Boostn'benz (sp?), a shopforum member did a write up on how to fix the fuel gauge, with pictures. Looks like an easy fix.

__________________
'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

Thank's for the input fahrgewehr2. It's a red brake light that comes on. I thought that was strange as I'd never seen a red light before, only orange. As for the acc. Yes I know it's a pain but while it's nice that it works currently I'm less concerned about that than the soundnesss of the engine and other major systems, tranny, suspension, body etc. I was surprised by how well it performed. Better than any other 300D's I've ever driven though as I was never ablet to get above 55 mph I cant say how it performed at highway speeds.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

pj65,

Where is the car "going before you could get it checked out"?

Do you mean its going to sold to someone else or its going to break down????

Clear concise descriptions help us with our diagnosis.

P E H

I mean it's likely to be sold. I have to try and get financing for it as I have no money myself and so far I've not been able to do so.

- Peter.

__________________
2021 Chevrolet Spark
Formerly...
2000 GMC Sonoma
1981 240D 4spd stick. 347000 miles. Deceased Feb 14 2021
2002 Kia Rio. Worst crap on four wheels
1981 240D 4spd stick. 389000 miles.
1984 123 200
1979 116 280S
1972 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1971 108 280S

Peter -

I bought a '77 300D about 4 months ago - had 256K. Didn't start when I bought it but has become my daily driver after some minor repairs. I was surprised that these cars actually don't do too bad off the line and are solid at highway speeds (routinly drive mine over 85 mph to keep up with traffic). I was skeptical at first that I would be able to drive it during rush-hour every day but it's performed well. I'd make the move to buy that car - it's definately worth it.

The low fuel light should come on well below 1/4 of a tank. It is triggered when the float inside the tube like sender drops to the bottom, shorting out two terminals lighting the light. When this happens, there's just a few gallons left before runout. Erratic driving at a 1/4 of a tank shouldn't cause it either because there's only a couple of pinholes in the sender tube to let the fuel in & out slowly to prevent a constantly moving fuel gauge needle. An easy change, it's done through the first aid kit hole in the rear deck. Paul
central Florida.

'84 300CD signal red 288,000