I am in admist purchasing an extra clean 1982 300D..w/190 K miles but I know nothing about these cars. It do know it is in mint condition and runs great. However, I am wondering if anyone knows how many MPG they actually get and any other substantial info I might need to know about that year/make and model. I am getting it for $1500 and from what I have found on line (ebay motors...etc) it seems to be a great deal.
Thanks in advance for anyones input! )

Welcome to the forums, the best place to get info on your "new" Benz. $1500 could be either a good price, or a not so good price, depending on how well it's been taken care of and maintained. For your question though, I'd expect a worse estimate to be 24, and a high estimate to be 30. I've hit 30 once, but filling up at a pump isn't a very accurate way to measure, so it could have actually been 32 or 28. Pics would be nice, and fill out your profile too, so we know where you're at.

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97 Ford Ranger 163k
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For milage you can expect anything from about 20 up to 30 depending on the driving you do. Most of these cars get in the mid 20's pretty reliably.

If the car really is in mint condition you are getting a great deal at $1500. It might not hurt to take the car to a reputable mechanic and have him go through it.

Your question has been asked before, so you might do some searching on this forum and see what you find there.

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Thanks for your guys input. I was trying to browse through the past logs..but couldn't find anything pertaining to gas mileage...I didn't look too thoroughly however!
I haven't yet got the car to post pics .but will do so once I do.
I had been told they get 32 miles to the gallon, that is why I asked. So it seems they don't get much more than my current car which is a PT Cruiser.

I also forgot to mention it's a Turbo Diesel...if that matters any. I know that it was maitenenced and well cared for throughout it's life. The body doensn't have any dents or dings. The paint looks new still...and the interior is decent.

Hoping it is a good deal. In case I decide to sell it down the road, I would like to at least get my $$ back!

You'll like the turbo much better than the non-turbo. Especially if it your first one.

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That may be because most people refer to diesel as fuel.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Keep in mind the Benz weighs in at nearly 2 tons- much heavier than a PT. I know when I bought my first MB Diesel, I was expecting 40 MPG, because my VW Diesels all got 50 MPG. In reality, I'm lucky to get 30 with my 300D non-turbo, but considering the car is twice as heavy, and the engine is almost double the size of a VW, that tells the story. Think of your 300D as being more like a big SUV, and judge your milage accordingly.

If you're not real heavy footed, the turbo will actually give better MPG than a non-turbo, due to the fact that the turbo is creating some of the needed high compression outside of the engine by recovering wasted energy from the exhaust.

Dave
1976 300D

1500 is way way too much! These things will get an actual 12 mpg.






Now where is this junk exactly?

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

Here is the mileage for my 300SD for the last 12,000 miles (as long as I have owned it).

http://www.pokrefke.com/benz/benzmileage.htm

Really??? I see them all over ebay for around that much ...actually higher...(anywhere the avg from 2K to 3K)
So you don't think it's worth $1500? And only 12mpg...that can't be right ?? How is that possible...I thought diesel got you much better mileage....?? Now I am confused....

I noticed on your mileage rpt that sometimes you get higher miles than others. THe best being when you had 6.6 gallons and got 29.10 to the gallon...is that because you are doing more hwy driving? Is that where the difference comes in ? What else causes different mileage...(sorry if I sound a little clueless!) I am just not up on these things.

I just don't want to buy it if it's not worth $1500. And from driving it and checking the internet I think I am getting a deal...but I have been wrong several times before and don't want to get myself into another nightmare.

I hear diesels run forever....so ?
Thanks for everyones input!

He's pulling your leg on the 12mpg.

I've never had a 300D, my 190DT does 35hwy/28city, benefit of a 300lb lighter car and 2.65:1 gears. I'm guessing that the '82 300D should do high 20s to maybe 31mpg on the road depending on the condition of the car, winter or summer fuel, and the weight of your right foot, cripes my '92 4matic gas did that well.

Prices are all over the place, $1500 is high for a tired one because fixing one can cost more than it's worth, for a nice one however, not bad.

- Jeff Miller
190DT

It may be a very good car. But you need to understand one very important rule. You are taking ownership in a car that is +20 years old. You are going to have other expenses. These are great cars but not bulletproof.

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Actually, my best was 32.1, which was the fourth tank of gas. I was really babying it - 55mph on the Tollway, slowly accelerating, etc.

There are many factors that impact mileage - how fast you drive, weather, traffic, type of gas (B20 means 20% Biodiesel, 80% regular dino), if you use the A/c, etc. Computing your mileage off one tank is inaccurate, that is why I compute a lifetime average.

I recently changed the gearing in the rear differential to give the car "longer legs". I am anticipating a mileage increase.

While the antecedote may be that diesels run forever, that does not mean you can ignore them and they will run forever. They must be very well maintained, not only under your ownership, but from the beginning. Most people think the Mercedes reputation of long lasting vehicles means you don't have to maintain them. They are wrong. You will spend a lot of money maintaining them.

For a point of reference, this is a list of parts I have waiting to put on:
1. motor mounts
2. transmission filter
3. power steering filter
4. new headlights
5. new brake hoses, rotors, and calipers (all 4 wheels)

This is the list of maintenance/repairs performed since I bought the car last May:
http://www.pokrefke.com/benz/benzmaint.htm

I will suggest that if you are not mechanically inclined or inclined to learn how to repair the vehicle, this could turn into an expensive proposition for you. Make sure that you factor repair rates into your equation (In Chicago, the dealer charges $130/hr, the independant MB shop charges $75, and the non-MB independant won't touch it).

Good luck.

I have an 82 300D, and my average mileage is closer to 25 than 30. You would have to drive it very gently to get 30 mpg. Regarding the price, it has a lot to do with what you mean by mint condition. You did not tell us how many miles or the condition of the exterior, interior, climate control, AC, transmission, suspension, etc. If the car is actually in good condition, that would be a good price. Keep in mind that one major repair can cost significantly more than the purchase price. I would strongly recommend a pre-purchase inspection by an independent MB shop or a dealer.