New 300sd owner
 

Hi All...

I am taking the plunge into the world of MB diesels. Driving a '72 w108 4.5 as a daily driver now, and while I love this car the gas bills are killing me.

Been eyeing various models for awhile and finally decided to get an '81 w126 with the 617 engine. I am picking up this one http://portland.craigslist.org/car/107718407.html
this weekend.

The car appears to be in excellent shape, though I hardly trust my own judgement. My question is this: is there a list of "deal killer" issues that one should have in hand when evaluating a purchase of this particular vehicle?

For example, it seems to me that quite a few diesels emit smoke - is that normal/acceptable? Also, these engines do make a little noise, but how much noise is too much; or is there a particular type of noise that is symptomatic of larger problems.?

Basically, I'm looking for the top-line issues one should consider when buying this car. Thanks in advance for any advice any of you have, much appreciated. Will be back with a trip report this weekend hopefully. ;)

Looks like a great car. Sounds like a great car. Make sure it starts/runs/shifts/drives correctly. A little smoke is acceptable. Hard to say without a unbiased firsthand opinion.

How much was he asking?

Wow--nice SD...great color too.

I typically look for 2 out of three areas when old benz shopping with pricing being a sliding factor:

I. Body condition
i. rareity or desireability of color/options
II. Interior condition
III. Mechanical condition

All the best with your quest. SD's are great cars

I wish the picts would blow up more but it looks like a decent car.

Look for rust and body/interior issues. Mechanical stuff can be much cheaper to fix, but a rust bucket will always be a rust bucket.

The engine should fire right off and idle smooth. A little smoke is ok when it is cold. Also if the car has been sitting it will smoke more then normal. But when warm and if in good tune these engines really don't smoke much. You really have to idle one around for awhile to get a good puff.

As for noise it will sound like a diesel, listen for loud sounds that sound like someone is hitting the engine with a hammer.

As for the rest of the car make sure high dollar items like the sunroof, AC/climate control, abd cruise control work. Everything else is pretty cheap and simple to fix.

Thanks. Good to know on the smoke. The price is $5600.

if u're real paranoid, u can get compression done too, as well bring it to a indy mech and check it out.
A couple of hundred may save u more griefs later on.
A good service record as well.
Look at how the present owner treat the vehicle. Some folks really baby them and some treat them like S.
And is subjective too, no matter how good is the car, if things u dont like then dont buy.

Wow -that was quick feedback! Thanks for all the advice, very helpful!

You can see better pictures @ http://portland.craigslist.org/car/107718407.html

The car does appear to be exceptionally clean, and the carfax does check out.

If anyone knows of a good mechanic in the Portland area that'd be great. Actually, here's a crazy request - maybe I should go and make a new post.

If anyone knows of a mechanic in the Portland area that would be willing to travel to the car (I might be able to get the seller to bring the car to them) and do an inspection this week that would be perfect. Of course, I would compensate for travel time, etc.

Thanks Hatterasguy.. So it sounds like the engine should be relatively quiet, for a diesel that is. I've been next to some MB diesel's at stoplights and it sounded like I was parked next to a big rig. However, there have been times when the only way I knew it was diesel was when I saw the lettering on the trunk.

what a car!

i always wondered what green interior looked like in a w123/w126 and now i know.

it is so atrocious, it wraps all the way around back to fabulous!

GREAT choice, but i have to say it sounds too expensive to me. it looks like it needs nothing, though.

yikes! another guacomole car!!! love it!!
 

Great find!

look for leakage around the oil cooler lines.

Look on the right side of the radiator (facing the car) and follow the 2 big hoses, one high and one down low, back to the oil filter housing. Make sure the rubber portion of them aren't weeping oil and hard.

If they need replacement, it's a 3-400 dollar bargaining point, and if the seller does not want to pay for replacement and you do buy the car, get that fixed first. It's too nice an engine to waste if they fail.

The best mercedes mechanic in Portland (that I know of) is MBI. I've heard good things about their work and when I buy parts from them they are pretty reasonable.

MBI Motors Inc
(503) 231-0444
1309 SE Hawthorne Blvd
Portland, OR 97214


I've been watching that listing, beutiful car but a little on the high side. But if its as good as it looks it's probably worth it. Good luck!

I like how you are asking owners before taking the plunge. I was only 19 when I bought my first and only car...an 82 300sd, and I wish i knew more about the car at the time. Deffintely get a PPI, but check body conditions (rust and suspension) and Interior conditions (wood, sunroof, climate control) as these seem the hardest and most expenisve issues to resolve. Also get a compression test and put it on the highway before buying to see how the tranny and turbo performs.

Things I wouldnt worry about (as they are relativeley easier and cheaper to fix) are vacuum locks, and minor oil leaks. Make sure to check rotors and other brake components aswell as steering.

That car looks astounding! The interior and engine compartment are SO clean!!! :eek: :eek: There's nothing on there that looks old/uncared for at all. The only place I see any wear is the drivers seat. That green color is amazingly cool looking, I'd love to have one that color (though I like mine too). No sunroof either! No leaks! :D I noted that because the switch was missing on the dash panel. I'd never seen one that color before, or without a sunroof.

Looks like a great find!!

Yeah the green is pretty awesome :)

And the price is a little high - but it seems to be the going rate as far as I can tell. I live in Seattle and see a lot of bio/grease bumper stickers, becoming downright fashionable.

Yep. I noticed that the leather next to the door posts is wrinkled and appears to be peeling away. The dash also has a chip in the wood. Those kind of things add up pretty quickly.

The thing that worries me is that these guys can go and get a car detailed, including steam cleaning the engine; but a clean car is not necessarily a mechanically sound car.