after looking for the past year or so, i drove home today in a metallic blue with tobacco and god-knows-what-else stained cream interior 1979 300sd w/168k. i am sad to say goodbye to my trusty '91 volvo 945 w/250k (still running fine, no drivetrain problems ever, no rust, but a bunch of stupid inconsequential problems that won't allow her to pass nj inspection, so she'll be staying around for a month as an insurance policy until i get any bugs worked out on the benz). this is my first mercedes after a long line of old volvos, which i still love and would recommend to anybody (you can't kill a b23 engine, and my amateurish hands have done all i can to do so), but i wanted a diesel to do a veggie conversion, so the 116 is my answer (sorry 123 and 126, but you don't look as stately or as, uh, "chromey"). if this sd is half the car my latest volvo turned out to be, i'll be thrilled.

i drove her home about 75 miles up to 70mph with no problems other than what i had already known, having driven her and inspected her previously (the usual suspects, acc and cruise, a little rust, but to my knowledge mechanically very sound, exterior above average, interior below average to kinda icky- i'll be doing a cleaning product and replacement upholstery review soon). i'm sure there will be an abundance of questions to come once i really get into working on the car, but i'd like to thank the members who through posting here have contributed to my gaining enough knowledge to pull the trigger, and have probably saved me from doing so prematurely on any number of other potential purchases. then again, i may be cursing you for guiding me into this pit of foibles and frustrations at some point in the future. time will tell.

i'll post pics as soon as i buy a digital camera. she's pretty cute for an older broad. in case you're curious, i paid $1800. seemed reasonable.

oh, and any recs on the first things to do/check on (apart from the obvious fluid/filter stuff) when getting a new old diesel would be a fine start to the litany of questions that are likely to follow.......

and now let the congratulations wash over me. ahhhhh, sweet affirmation.

Congrats on the new purchase! And be prepared for the diesel addiction your likely to develop....or may have already

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

You are hooked..................

__________________
1984 300D Turbo 290,000 Miles
1999 Volvo V70 GLT

Great- another W116 in the hands of an enthusiast. Welcome aboard.

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

So when will you be updating your signature?

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Help this computer challenged diesel owner...how do I update my signature to include my buggies?

Please let me know.

Thanks,

T

Click the link near the top of the page that says "User CP"

When the next page comes up, click the link on the left hand side that says "Edit Signature."

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Bruiser,
Start by checking your motor and transmission mounts. These go bad after awhile and lead to all sorts of wierd problems, mostly vibration oriented. Get a good set of manuals on the car. Factory paper manuals seem to be the best, but the CDs work ok. Learn to check the timing chain stretch and adjust the valves soon. What you have already planned and thsoe few things will go a long way. And congrats on the car. Normally I don't like a lot of chrome, but it really does look great on the 116. Truely a classic body.

WHAT?!!!!!!!?!?!?

I've done my motor mounts....but my tranny mount... Might explain the occassional giant shuddering I get from the driveline when I am stopping. I'm going to look into it...

__________________
-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

maybe i have to post again to make it update? i didn't do it until after the previous post.

today-new hood star and hawaiian print towel to cover grody driver's seat until i get $ to reupholster or find a nice one in a yard, tomorrow-who knows.

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1979 300SD 190k Blue/Parchment

attaboy.

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1979 300SD 190k Blue/Parchment