Euro vs. US 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bgkast · #1 12-23-2005, 06:45 PM

Through searching the forums it looks like the general consensus is that there are a few Euro specific parts on the 300D. Is it difficult to find these parts for in the US? Are the rest of the parts shared with the US 300D? I like the fact that the euro cars are often manual and don't have many of the luxury features of the US spec cars. How hard is it to find these cars? Thanks for your help. -Bryan

Hit Man X · #2 12-23-2005, 07:33 PM

Well back in the 80s most of the Euro cars had to be federalized and there was a limit per year of how many could be Grey Marketed as I understand. I read somewhere it was around 100-120 per year over on the BMW boards (now many models did sneak in as others dependant on how lax the federalization place was). The 745i I'm getting is crazy rare now as they had two models (Highline and Executive) and the Executives are more desireable plus had better colors from what I've seen.

So, finding parts stateside isn't the easiest thing to do unless you are hardcore into the boneyard thing (which I do), have connections to them, or know someone over seas.

There's an '80 280E Euro I'm planning on buying as it's a steal locally. Not only is it the Euro motor (domed pistons with hotter cams) but it also has a four on the floor!

bgkast · #3 12-23-2005, 10:10 PM

Well I don't mind digging around junk yards. The trick would be finding parts cars. I an pretty sure that only a few parts on the 300D are incompatible though. Anybody have experience ordering parts for their Euro 300D? What else is important to look at in a grey market car? Thanks

estod · #4 12-23-2005, 10:28 PM

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.

bgkast · #5 12-24-2005, 02:48 PM

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

#6 12-24-2005, 11:55 PM

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

bgkast · #7 12-25-2005, 03:56 AM

Was it a manual or auto tranny that went out?

#8 12-25-2005, 07:23 AM

Auto transmission went out.
Dave S

t walgamuth · #9 12-28-2005, 10:42 PM

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

bgkast · #10 12-29-2005, 02:32 AM

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.

Diesel Giant · #11 12-29-2005, 08:25 AM

Buying an older car with a salvage title is not really that bad. The value of the cars is so low that even a small fender bender can exceed the insurance threshold of its repair cost/value ratio.

t walgamuth · #12 12-29-2005, 08:52 AM

but be sure to check it over well. and take a magnet for rust investigation. i think that the euro models are more rust prone than the us models.

yeah, a euro 300td would be sweet!

tom w

bgkast · #13 12-30-2005, 02:29 AM

It really was rust free. I went through it fairly thoroughly with a magnet and a probe. There are a few bubbles around one of the jack points, but probing it with a sharp instrument showed that was not rusted through. The car has many small dings and dents and a few paint chips though. The interior is not great (tears in seats, cracked dash, missing rear carpet). Also the accelerator pedal linkage seems to need adjustment. I ended up buying a really nice 240D that I looked at. This thing drives like new and the interior is perfect. I think I will make a post in the for sale section about this wagon. It is a rare and cool car that I am sure somebody on this forum would enjoy.

t walgamuth · #14 12-30-2005, 09:25 AM

is the wagon located?

tom w

bgkast · #15 12-30-2005, 04:03 PM

It is in Seattle. Here is the post I put in the for sale section.

Euro 300TW wagon Manual Transmission! Seattle