Suggestions for my new 1987 300TDT

[pauln]

Hi,

I am about to pick up my first ever MB next week. After losing an ebay auction, I found a woman in CT that purchased her car from a Mercedes Dealer/mechanic and he has done the following work on the car for her:

2005

A/C compressor
New Radio/CD and speakers
new back seat net (the "fish net" that carries "stuff" attached to the front seats)
New R/R window reg w/motor - not the window the motor that works it
brake rotors
rear brake pads
parking brake shoes and cable
shifter brushings
cylinder head - 2K for part only
prechambers
gasket set
head bolts
Thermastat to pass CT emissions test
front brake rotors
front brake pads

2004

2 steel lines
steel fuel line
new bolt in motor
serp belt
belly pan
belt shock
Left front blinker
shut off valve and seal
new starter
paint front and rear bumper

Recently, the car got scratched by someone backing up in a parking lot. The rest of the car looks to be in mint condition (the current owner is a high end realtor and has used this car to drive her clients to houses.) I am buying the car for $5000 and paying $1500 for repairs.

I was wondering
a) what people would suggest for the first things to do when I get this car home to maine
b) can I run b20 without modification in this car? what about b100?
c) did I get a good deal?

Thanks!

-paul

[Hatterasguy]

I'd fix that dent, but other then that it looks good.

[Veloce300DT]

Have a full tune up done-
flush all fluids- brake/coolant/power steering/etc
replace all filters- oil/air/fuel
Change Oil
Valve adjustment
Check compression, pressure test cooling system for any leaks, inspect for oil leaks, and any other fluid leaks.
Check brakes

If the car is in relatively good sound mechanical condition, you may have yourself a deal on this car. but its hard to tell by just looking.

Cosmetically the car looks good. Looks like the door handles have been painted to match or are severly faded- cant tell from the pics. the paint looks healthy.

Being a little on the OCD side, after having the car up to spec mechanically- I'd fix the dent, replace the missing and faded lower door strips, bring the door handles back to black, upgrade to european headlights, black out the grille insert, throw on a set of 16" MB 8-hole replicas, and polish and wax the paint back to that gorgeous gloss that lies within the paint finish. But thats just me.



Welcome to the forums!

[Eskimo]

Originally Posted by Veloce300DT

Valve adjustment

That particular service doesn't apply to an '87 (OM603 engine).

[sixto]

Is there a price for the belly pan?

Sixto

[aersloat]

Make sure the vacuum pump is the newer style without the crimped on cover. With all the work done it is hard to imagine that it is the old style, but better safe than sorry. An old style vacuum pump can take out your engine when it fails.

Replace your antenna mast. The antenna should retract fully. I would replace the two-piece gaskets at the antenna opening when you do so. If the antenna is not kept clean or gets bent a bit in a car wash, etc it won't retract the last little bit.

I agree that a full fluids and filters change is a good idea. Don't forget the power steering fluid/filter. Use mercedes or zerex G-05 coolant only, put Mobil 1 Turbo Diesel Truck 5W-40 in for best performance. Replace transmission fluid and filter as well. Mobil 1 is a good choice here as well.

I wouldn't bother checking your compression. If it starts and runs fine then what is the point? I would check your chain stretch though as that is something that can affect how well the car performs.

You can run any blend of biodiesel w/o worry. Make sure you have a few spare fuel filters, both the primary inline filter and the secondary bolt-on, as B50 or B100 will clean your tank and fuel system very well and may loosen up some deposits which may in turn gum up your fuel system and restrict fuel flow. A decrease in power is the first usual sign. Also keep an eye on the rubber injector fuel return lines as they are the most likely to break down with biodiesel. These are easy to replace with viton. You will want to keep an eye on the other rubber fuel lines and tank filler neck. Depending on if they are original or not they may start to break down. Fairly easy to replace though so not to worry.

You didn't mention the mileage, but $6500 is a pretty decent deal if the car is in good shape.