Should I drive my 300D from California to Texas?

[utexas112]

I registered a long while back and havent been around in a while.. hello again everyone..

Kind of feel like road-tripping home for Christmas as opposed to dealing with the hassle of flying. Will be bringing my dog too, so thats a consideration.

Just wondering if any of you have done a trip like this?

I have a sea green 1983 300D turbo, 216k, 2nd owner, have all maintenance records, literally.

As far as I know, the car needs nothing (except front brake pads), but I will have my mechanic give it a once over and an oil change before I go. Any other suggestions? - the stretch of road from CA to TX, by the way, is basically desert (although this will be in december, its still deserted).

Thanks

[Ara T.]

Go for it, I drove to Portland and a bit into Washington with my 300D, ran like a top the whole way, climbed Shasta like a champ, best of all, it runs smoother afterwards thanks to all the constant 3k+ RPM driving especially if you add cetane booster before/during the trip. Only thing I brought were vital fluids, fuel filters, tool kit...didnt have to use em.

I drive my 82 300D all over the country (about 35K per year). If the maintenance is up to date, go for it. The only time mine has left me stranded was due to a broken belt that was overdue for replacement (my fault). Bring an extra set of fuel filters and some basis tools. These things love to get out on the highway and go.

[t walgamuth]

if it is sound, go for it. make sure you have good tires and a good spare. of course jack and lug wrench...and extra filters.

tom w

[halman2228]

I've heard stories about the sea green ones

Just kidding. As posted above, go for it with your eyes open - basic tools, fuel filters and some snacks and water for you and Fido.

Don't forget the MBUSA 800 number for roadside assistance (could be a bit of a wait out there in New Mex).

I made the run back in March (LA to HOU) in a questionable 280SE. You might want to be sure you have some CDs to play after you pass El Paso - San Antonio is like FOREVER further.

Kevin

[Austin85]

I'm with all above...but you should do your own front brake pads yourself....
easy job and very rewarding to work on your own car.....There are loads of things you can do without a mechanic....

[rwthomas1]

I drove my 84 300D from RI to FLA and back last Feb. even though it was using a quart every 6-800miles. Other than adding a little oil at every fillup no issues at all. Bring the usual spares and tools, do the usual checks before leaving and you will be just fine. RT

[boneheaddoctor]

Carry a couple gallons of Vegi-oil in case you get caught between stations with diesel...carry tools, make sure your spare isn't flat...carry extra oil , anti-freeze, and trans fluid...some work gloves and paper towels....And extra primary and secondary fuel filters.

[kerry]

Long trips are generally easier on cars than stop and go driving. Do it. Although I must concur that I-10 in West Texas has got to be about the most boring stretch of highway in existence.
Amtrak goes that way, although I don't know how your dog would fare on the train. I prefer to ride the train on those long stretches of open desert in the west or across the Great Plains.

[andersbenz]

Yes.

Drove the SD from Austin to Las Cruces to Flagstaff to Phoenix to Palm Springs to Van Horn to Austin last Christmas week. Awesome drive.

Did Orlando, FL to Wilton, CT to Topsham, Maine to Toms River, NJ to Orlando this past October. Another great drive.

My 81 300SD averages 25.38 mpg.

These are great over the road cars

Road trip!

P.S. Bring spare fuel filters and a 22mm wrench to change out the main fuel filter.
H-4 headlights made a big difference for me and cost ~ $100.00

[ykobayashi]

Hi,

I used to be afraid of taking my 240D from San Jose to LA. It has 240,000 miles. This is hardly the trip you're going to do...lets say I was paranoid.

After I went the first time I realized this car is pretty robust. As mentioned in the tips above, you may put more stress on the car during a stop and go commute than the long trip. Tips like taking stuff along is also good - even if you don't know how to change a hose, filter or belt, just having it can save the time of having a small town mechanic ordering one from a big city and delivered. Actually knowing how to change a filter should be a requirement of owning an MB diesel.

I've now driven several times back and forth to socal. I had one hangup when I got there, the car got hard to start but that was because of a defective 1 month old DieHard battery. Idiots at Sears Mountain View load tested and it was okay then when I got to LA my buddy load tested it with a harbor freight tester and it failed. The car had been hard to start all the way there. Well this wasn't the fault of the 240 though.

Okay, so here are my tips.

1) bring a couple of quarts of oil and check oil when you refuel. This is just being safe. My car uses a bit more oil at high speeds. I use 1/2 a quart after 400 miles so it is nice to have a quart handy.

2) look at your belts. Make sure they are tight and look for cracking on the inner side. Your mechanic probably checked this but it is good to learn what to look for. I used to keep tools and a v-belt or two in the trunk out of paranoia.

3) give your radiator and heater hoses a pinch. Make sure they aren't ready to burst or crack open. This can be a showstopper. Sometimes if one is old I'll buy one at the parts store and toss it in the trunk. Most can be changed with the screwdriver on a swiss army knife so you can do a roadside fix and refill with a gallon of water (that you may carry for drinking).

4) Good tires (mentioned above). I've lost more tires in the low desert (but during the summer at about 2pm). When you get out of the car and start walking around and your Tevas melt you know why.

5) Lift up the car and give the wheels a spin and see if the bearings are grumbly.

6) Look at the little hole on top of the water pump. Make sure it isn't weeping coolant which indicates the seal is about to go. Your mechanic probably checked this.

7) Go under your car out back and check the CV boots - look for cracks. Your mechanic has probably checked this.

8) Make sure your primer pump works and you know how to prime your injection system in case you need to change filters. The old ones always break and you never know till you have to change a filter or run out of fuel which always seems to happen on long drives.

I say drive it. These cars do break, but they have been engineered cleverly to break in ways that won't leave you stranded - only things like, unable to cool down, lock the doors, stop the engine or use your cruise or close your sunroof.

They really are reliable in the sense they don't suddenly break and leave you stranded. Even the auto trannys give you some warning for awhile. The stuff I listed above are the "sneak up factor" problems that can surprise you if you aren't watching.

Good luck and have a great road trip,
Yoko

[utexas112]

Thank you guys for the great comments, suggestions, etc. so far.

Unfortunately, I have 0 tools, and actually 0 spare time to work on the car. I'm a law student, so maybe after finals I will take a day and try to jimmy on some brake pads. Ehrm....

Anyway, thanks again, and I will be sure to stock up on what you all suggested.

George

In June I made this trip in my wife's 84D.
Left LA about 5:30 am and got into Cruces by 6:00pm. Stoped in Tuscon to eat .
Then left about 7:00am and made it to Dallas by 6:00pm.
I set the cruise about 2 mile's over the limit and cruise. Watch you speed. About the brake's. You don't need no stinking tools. Lug wrench to pull wheel. and a 16 penny nail will push the pin out. I lied. You need a good size screw driver to compress the pad to get it out. Do one pad at a time and replace with new pad, then do the outer side pad. This complete one wheel.Replace wheel go to other side. I also alway replace the two senders on each side. This should not take more than thirty minutes.
Have a safe trip.
Also ounce you get to arizona you fuel will start getting cheaper.
Charlie

[Fuzzball]

Come on over, the doors are wide open!

[donm]

Back in August my wife and two kids drove from Baltimore to west of Louisville (Brandenburg, KY) and back via Cleveland in our '85 TD, 280,000k. It was a two week trip, packed to the gills (couldn't see out the back window), and about 2000 miles, including side trips. Observations:

We took all the above mentioned tools, fluids, filters, etc.

We cruised at just under 80 most of the way, except for that stretch of I-70 between Cincinnati and Louisville, where we averaged above 90. The car needed no extra attention, except for a little oil now and then.

The ACC froze us. It was converted to 134 a couple summers ago. Also the ACC fan is stuck on high. Except now and then when it decides that it will operate properly.

These cars are noisy at speed, even without the fan stuck on high, compared to new designs.

My son (6) kept unintentionally kicking the back of the driver's seat, driving me to distraction. We switched my daughter (5) to that seat, and she did it too.

Maybe depending on a 20+ year old car with high milage wasn't the best idea for such lengthy family trips. Its a great car, but it was something of a gamble. If it had broken down, I would have never heard the end of it from both sides of the family. Its too old, too noisy, and too small as a family hauler.

So I traded my '97 528i on a '06 Honda Odyssey (NO video system, I want kids, not zombies) in September. My wife is happy, and I got her '85 TD to replace my Bimmer as my daily driver. Domestic bliss indeed.

Don McClure
Bel Air, MD