I flew to Phoenix and got my 87 300SDL. Man California is a big state. So a few things I noticed:
1. Vibration around 70 to 85 MPH. Also seems to make some noise, clunk, when turning going slow in parking lot. Front end rebuild? How much about?

2. Idle seems low, though I have no idea, at about 600 rpm. This OK?

3. Power antenna wont stay up. It goes up and down but as soon as I let go of the up switch it goes right back down. Not the stock stereo. Is there a way to modify the wiring so it will stay up?

4. I got 27 MPG from just outside LA to north of Sacramento, flat. But I got 20 from Sacramento to southern Oregon, mountains. This sound right? (Neither of these include the below speed test. At an almost constant 70 mph.)

5. The cruise works, "when it wants to". Sometimes it worked when I turned the car on and would stay on 10 minutes, sometimes it wouldn't work at first then would for a bit. Probably the longest time was a half hour then it shut off just as I started up an incline. Any ideas?

BTW this car is actually BETTER then it looked in the pictures. I am extremely happy with it. After the vibration goes away at about 85-90 mph it cruises at 105 very nicely. I think the head and IP were worked on/replaced as everything under the hood is absolutely clean except the block. The dealer had not detailed the car yet when I saw it and it was beautiful.

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Enjoy.

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83 Volvo 245 diesel
98 Ram 3500 Cummins
MB: looking for!

Thanks . Here is the ebay listing with loads of pics. As I said he never detailed it. Also told me he got a MUCH higher offer after I locked in the sale for $6k.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4589354601&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

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87 300SDL "Sherman"
89 VW Jetta diesel

I had my eye on that, when I woke up and checked it you had already bought it. I talked with the seller in Phoenix and he said he sold it too low.

Good luck.

I love that anthricite grey color!


Why is the "Turbo" missing from the trunk?

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

Oh yeah thats question number 6 . I even looked under the hood to make sure one was there . No damage that I could find in that area either on the fender, bumper, or inside of the trunk.

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87 300SDL "Sherman"
89 VW Jetta diesel

Wow always loved that color combination -jealous

#1 Check your guide rods
#2 Yes - there is and idle adjustment on the driver side firewall you may be able to tweak a little to smooth out.
#3 Maybe aftermarket antenna or Generic Hirshman - threads on both of these topics
#4 That's a realistic MPG
#5 There is some good reading here on that also - check amp connections.

You are going to love this car

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Congrats.

Welcome to the club.
I've got a very similar color combo...
but I think my interior is a little darker?

darker gray?


Joining the Diesel Benz Brotherhood ?


P.S.
Your car may have been repainted?
I just discovered this about my own car.
You can probably tell by the 'orange peel' effect.
Arizona won't rust a car... but that sun will fade it.

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'87 300SDL

dieselbenz

600rpm is about right at idle, I have my ELS knob or whatever its called set on 5 if that helps.

You need to get the tires off and look over the front suspension before assuming a part is bad. Many things can cause a clunk.

Mileage sounds about right, 20 is a tad low though. Replace all filters and fluids, and maybe have your injectors tested if you want to go nuts.

The vibration is probably the tires, get them balanced.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Thats a nice looking car

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1993 300D 2.5L 240,000+ miles

Lots of stuff here.

Painting: I checked the door jams no overspray. If it was painted they did a great job.

Color: on my computer the interior of your car looks exactly the same as mine. Love the color combo myself.

Milage: Fluids, filters, etc. are going to be started on next Friday. I will do a search for recommended fluids.

Noise/vibration. I will get tires balanced and look at front end ASAP.

Antenna: I was hoping that since it works I just need to change the wiring some. Will search for schematics/manuals and see what I can come up with.

New issue: I think I have a small vacuum leak. When I floor it I feel something between a hesitation and "lurching?". Center vents never blow air either. These are vacuum on this car also right?

It isn't perfect but for 18 years old it is still awesome.

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87 300SDL "Sherman"
89 VW Jetta diesel

Thanks for taking that car out of Phx, I can retain my "cleanest 126 diesel I've seen around town" title. Would have been outclassed had I run into that beauty in my travels. Bst wishes, I think you're going to enjoy that car very much...

Hope you enjoy that car, we have an 1986 that we're gonna sell soon, mom wants a new MX5 Miata.

I do have one question, when you go over bumps/imperfections on the highway (at speed) does the backseat area of the car creak and make rattley noises? It may come from the door area, I'm not sure. Some people have trouble with this, including me, and it's really annoying, these cars are supposed to be cruisers and the noise just gets in the way.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi

Yep it's there. Didn't notice it really on the long trip up here. But driving it around town I have. I read a little about it also. Hopefully theres a fix/workaround for it.

RobTheMod your very welcome. I lived in Phoenix for 4 years while going to DeVry. (I was there when the dealer opened his doors just a couple blocks away. Never met though.) I loved the city and if it were say 10 degrees north I would live in it in a heartbeat.

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87 300SDL "Sherman"
89 VW Jetta diesel