It'a a good idea to have a word with your insurance company --- after 20 yrs with State Farm, I bought a Euro 240 which they refused to cover (less than 2 yrs ago -- an 84 -- hardly a sneak-it-in Lambo), and I ended up with Geico @ $200+ more per year. I stubbornly refused to sell the 240 as I had just bought it --- but I miss State Farm's low premiums. Luckily, I still love the 240.

That is a good idea. I will do that before I get too serious about buying it. Did you have any trouble licencing it?

We have had no trouble getting parts for my sons 1985 300D NA (non turbo) belts glow plugs ect have been the same as the older 1981 300d until the transmission went out then it was pay close to $1700 for the rebuilt transmission not including installation there not available in the junk yard. We finally saved the money for that and I said BS I went to pick-N-pull pulled a 1982 turbo transmission and with some creative adapters, it has been in the car over a year now. We bought the 1985 300D EURO after my sons 1982 300d was rear ended and the EURO feels light and tiny in comparison the EURO is no where near as sure footed in corners as the 1982 USA car was. Basically the 1985 EURO seems to be cheaply built compared to the 1982 USA version although the interior of the EURO car is definitely of a higher quality than the USA car.
My 2 cents
Dave S

Was it a manual or auto tranny that went out?

Auto transmission went out.
Dave S

two euro benzes. a 300d and a 280e (twice). there are very few euro specific parts in my experience and they dont matter much. on the gasser, no maintenance parts ever were different.

on the diesel the injection pump is different and the metal lines to the injectors.

nothing else that i can remember seeing.

tom w

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[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.

I'm going to go take a look at a Euro 300TD tomorrow. $3000. The owner says it has no rust. The price seems fairly good for a Wagon. The only down side is that the car has a salvage title. Apparently a fender, bumper and some suspension parts were damaged, but have been replaced. Barring any major mechanical problems, if there really is no rust and the repairs to the body seem to be properly done I'm not sure how I will pass this one up. A 5cyl wagon with all of the Euro manual features (no auto climate control!) and a manual transmission is EXACTLY what I am looking for. I'm also looking at a pair of 240Ds and a 300SD.