Quite odd indeed. The first thing I did notice on the SDL was the additional relays for voltage protection, climate, etc. Helps make it more efficient but sure does cause problems... I'm chasing down why my low beams don't come on currently. It's the relay in the fuse box or the multiswitch on the column.

__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Hasn't this thread been on enough tangents?!?!

Fuses 4 and 12 get power only when the low beams should light. If fuses 4 and 12 don't have power, the problem is between the headlight and combo switches and the fuse box. If fuses 4 and 12 have power, the problem is in the relay (looong box in the fuse panel) or wiring to the headlights. The low, high and fog bulbs in a headlamp unit share a ground.

I'd get a bulb warning light when I took a hard right turn. I had the relay resoldered and the bulb warning light hasn't come on again.

blackestate, get a 60s 180D

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

I replaced that switch, called the "combination switch", not too long ago to fix the washers. Finally confirmed that the button was at fault.

LMK if you need to replace yours. I'll tell you the sequence of events to save you a bunch of trouble.

The switch is not cheap, I'll warn you in advance. If you are buying new, I've got a place that is less costly than most.

What is MB TEX?
Also both of the cars have records, and wre maintained very well. I will look for the items that you mentioned. One was owned by a "little old lady" and the other by a local radio DJ.
Are these, or can they be Turbo? The 84 he says lacks power due to a questionsable turbo (scary) but the other is much better. I have not looked a tthe cars yet, I wanted to know what to look for, and to ask about.

Any more tips?

Thanks
Doug

MB Tex is a type of vinyl material that was used extensively on the seats instead of leather. It's very durable and can last the life of the vehicle if taken care of. Some like it, some prefer the leather.

The situation with the turbo is generally not of a major concern. The plumbing to allow the turbo to provide fuel enrichment gets clogged with soot and the vehicle won't perform. Usually a very cheap fix.

Now, if he has personal knowledge that the turbo itself has a problem, that's a different story. But, I'd bet against this.

It's really not possible to provide a person with little knowledge of these vehicles with sufficient information over a wire to make a sound decision. The best advice is to spend a few dollars and have a mechanic who knows these vehicle take a look at it. It's well worth the money. He can tell you rather quickly what parts the vehicle will need in the next one year time period. Then you can make a sound decision.

There is a saying that rolls around these parts, and, it has been proven true on many occasions:

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes Benz

Brian,
Do you like your 300SD and what milage do you get? Anything else I should ask about? Sounds like the turbo issue may not be a big problem. This was just from talking on the phone with the guy.

I love the 300 SD. However, I respect it's limitations.

The mileage varies from a low of 23.5 in the winter to almost 29, on a real good highway run, below 70 mph, in the spring or fall (no a/c).

I'm betting against the turbo being a serious issue.

But, please re-read my advice in the previous post. I have edited it.

I am looking at using this as a daily driver, to replace my f-350 at 15 MPG. Even on WVO that is a lot of oil to get a hold of per week.

I will look through the records. My truck is aged also. I am looking at these 2 cars because of the cost, and they seem to have been taken care of really well.
On the ford there were glow plugs and cavitation and many other things to look into before getting it.
I do most of my own work because I can not pay shop rates.


Thanks
Doug

Look at a 115/300d model. They are made from 1975 to76. They are nearly bulletprof and dead simple to work on.