Since this is a post 1980 car, you won't have to worry about the dreaded AC Servo, so it won't cost you a small fourtune if the climate conrol system ever goes out. Also keep in mind if you need to replace the suspension, it's going to cost close to $1000 for just parts. Oh, and the US spec wagons use a different head than the rest of the OM617s, so if it needs head work, it can be expensive and might take some time to find the parts. Lastly, wagons rule, you can haul alot of stuff in them, I wish I had bought one I looked at a few years ago...

Ok, remember, I'm new to this world. What are manual AC controls?

It is a manual transmision.

Manual AC controls are alot like many cars today. There are I think 3 knobs, for blower speed, selection on which vents the AC comes out of, and something else. Or there is the automatic climate control (ACC) that has a dial for temp, 5 push buttons for vent selection, and a fan speed switch thing on the right. These controls are a part of the ACC unit, which has problems quite often.
Nothing like "turn the knob, get air here".

Clear as mud?

__________________
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

got it. haven't had the chance todrive a car with automatic climate control..

thanks.

Lots of good advice in here already. I'll just chime in because I bought my '81 300TD just over a year ago, and I can say honestly that it's been the best used car I've ever purchased. Maybe the best car period. These things are real tanks, the parts are top quality and hold up well, and they are cheap to maintain if you find a good mechanic. Remember that these cars cost close to $40k when new, so they're loaded with quality. Many consider them the "last best Benz." And most of them (including mine) run better on biodiesel than on dinodiesel.

You don't say where you live, but if you want to offer that up, I'm sure somebody here can recommend a top-flight independent Benz mechanic to give the car a prepurchase inspection and help you take care of it in the long term. This is key, as the dealers will gouge you and there are lots of so-called independent Benz experts who will just make your wallet hurt.

As somebody else mentioned, the Euro-spec cars are highly coveted for their unique features. So if the one you've found is in good shape, and the 175k miles is accurate, I'd say $3,000 is a bargain, especially because demand for these cars is soaring as biodiesel becomes more popular.

__________________
'81 300TD turbo <<sold 12/05 to another diesel nut

My advice, which at first will seem insignificant, will be to get a large box of latex gloves, and keep them in the vehicle.

Trust me...they will come in handy (no pun intended). (well maybe a little)

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

So, my wife took a look at this car - I wasnt' able to see it, but we have pictures, and a couple of questions:

1) one of the rear doors doesn't unlock properly, so it must be opened from the inside. Is this hard to fix?

2) the brakes are very mushy. should I assume that it needs a break job.

3) the car had not been driven for several days (as far as we know), and there was water under the driver's seat. is this a concern?

4) The dashboard light for the parking brake is permanently on. Is this a hard fix?

5) we have some concerns about rust. Pictures attached. Is this level of rust worrisome?

We don't have a full exterior picture, but my wife says it's a truly beautiful car.

thanks for all of the help - this forum is fantastic...

Attached Thumbnails

         

With water inside the vehicle and obvious signs of exterior rust, I respectfully disagree with your wife.

You need to bring this vehicle to someone who can put it up on a lift and determine how much rust it has. With water leaking inside, the entire floor pan and jacking points may be rusted away. You would be purchasing a vehicle that has started it's final countdown to a junkyard.

None of the other items are significant.

Brian:

thanks for the feedback - I think I should clarify. The water was not leaking inside - it was on the ground, underneath the car, in the position of the driver's seat.

no disrespect taken.

thanks.

Well, that's where you want it. It might be just the condensate drains.

But, you need to carefully look it over for rust. This is difficult without a lift and some knowledge of what to look for. A screwdriver is mandatory to poke around with.

That bit of rust that is shown in the photo might be surface rust, or a screwdriver might go right through it. Two completely different scenarios.

Oh my goodness! I see a stick and I see manual AC controls!
I don't think that looks like a top dollar car, but with some negotiation it would be worth owning. (as long as there isn't significant rust of course)

__________________
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

I agree, the rust is the biggest potential issue, and should be checked out thoroughly. BTW, the parking brake indicator light is also a warning light for low brake fluid level, this may be related to the mushy brakes.

but two drawbacks: rust and prob no cruise.
they just dont seem to be rustproofed as well as the us models.
i dont know why... less weight?

tom w

__________________
[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.

Well, we decided that - as intriguing as it was - this was not the car for us. Logistical details prevented us from bringing it to a mechanic, and I was too concerned about the possibility of rust to buy it without a check.

Thanks for all of the feedback. I'm convinced that I should be able to find a 300TD somewhere out there...

Try to find a wagon that smokes wildly at startup. I think they are rare, but they are out there.....

__________________
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