I went to check out a 1993 300D today. The car ran well but had surprisingly bad rust on the driver's door and the driver's side A pillar. Interior was good. It seemed to be slower off the line than my 1983 300d but ok on the highway. The climate control fan didn't work. Seller said it was a bad resistor that he had already purchased and would include with the vehicle. He didn't have an asking price but wanted "reasonable offers". 156,000 miles on the car. Head and transmission were replaced about 85,000 miles ago. Idle was kind of rough but he said that he would include replacement set of injectors. Brakes need to be replaced.

VIN is WDBEB28E1PB942647.

What should I offer?

the blower parts and injectors are only valuable after they are installed. do not assume that they will fix what ails this car. the ac is problematic on 124s and can be easily a host of things. ditto the injectors. there can easily be a cylinder down on compression and that means big money to fix. have him install the parts then test drive it . or if you really like the car offer him $500 for it. if the fix was that easy he would have done it by now.

this may not be true but it is the correct way to look at it.

tom w

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[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.

Nothin.' Sounds like a POS. A dead blower motor could be more trouble ($$$) than a mere "resistor." There are decent 2.5s out there.

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'91 300D 2.5 Turbo 330K
'00 VW TDI Golf, 190K
'67 BMW R50/2
'73 Norton Commando Interstate

This car doesn't use a resistor to control the blower motor speed. There is no such part.

- JimY

A 2.5 should outpace an 83 300D from the get go.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

my 300d 2.5 always felt slower than a 300dt 123. but i was never convinced it was totally right. it ran good and got ex mileage etc. but was a little doggy. over 30 mpg thouth and would cruise at 85 once wound up.

tom w

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[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 test drove a lot of early-to-mid-eighties 300D, SD and SDL cars when I was looking for a MB diesel. The '91 2.5 turbo I bought is faster than all of them, stock vs. stock. I drove enough of them to know it was not a fluke, and the published 0-60 numbers back this up too.

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-Dave

U have done ur initial bit in the test drive. The PO has told u somethings.

Have had an Pre Purchase Inspection (PPI) from an MB dealership or reputable shop ? I paid $100 for mine from an MB dealership. That would give u a more reliable picture.

I bought a 93 300D 2.5L and love it. It is nice car to drive. It does not have as much torque as an 82 300D but once it gets going it is fairly preppy. A fun car to drive.

Get a reliable PPI and then make a decision. That would also give u a better estimate on what really needs to be fixed. This, in turn, lets make an informed offer for the car, if u decide to buy it.

I never understood how POs could just allow rust to form and watch it grow like there was nothing they could do about it. Rust happens fast but not overnight so it kinda illustrates the general mentality of the PO when they don't do jack about the rust. I call it negligence, as laziness doesn't quite fit as well. I'd offer a pauper's pittance for the car, as bringing it back up to fightin' weight may mean big dough. Otherwise forget about it, there are plenty of good ones that won't strain your marriage or make you lose sleep or cause money to fly out of your wallet. If it ain't as fast as a 123D from the 80's you had probably better think about what you will be getting into.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

I offered $4,500 to see what would happen. He said he had lots of other interested buyers. Will let you know...

you are brave.

tom w

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[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.

...or stupid. He said it had a new head, chain, chain guides, control arms, etc. Who knows. In any event, looks like someone else paid more. Back to my search.