ok, so im new to the Mercedes. I just moved from Louisiana to Oregon (near corvallis) and i have drove a 1983 300D turbo diesel and im very very impressed.

so far the owner of the car he says i should look for a

1982-1985 300d

or a 1979-1985 300SD.

my first question is what is the difference between these 2 models?

2nd- Are any of these years models to be avoided or recommended? (example my wifes old 94 nissan sentra were famous for having a back leaking window)

3rd - what should i expect to pay for a car such as these?

4th - what is the average gas mileage out of a diesel such as these on the city? interstate? and how many miles can a MB generally go with regular maintance.... 300k? 400? . i suppose my question is at what point should i think to my self . ok... thats way to many miles on this car for me to buy it.

ok,
last question.

a guy in nevada has a 1984 300SD but he says the "timing chain" needs replacement. he says its about a 100 dollar part plus gaskets but im wondering how much it would cost to replace it. i know its labor intensive.
anyone know? ive heard 1300-3000.
the car costs 1000 bucks btw and he says he dropped in a new engine and transmission 40k miles ago.

i could handle 1000-1500 in labor at most or would i be better off just looking for a different MB.

sorry for all the questions but im very very new at this and i just need someone to put out a guiding hand.

Thanks for your time.
Austin Craig

Im not sure what kind of driver you are but I personally would go for a 300SD. They are a larger and more comfortable car. I would look only at cars that had the OM617 engine that the 300D has. The later model diesel engines had a steady decline in quality and reliability until they got to the 3.5L which was a rod bending nighmare. I ended up jumping ship to Gas powered engines to get a newer S class.

Here are some differences between cars

300D
Smaller than the 300SD
Similar Fuel Economy as the 300SD
Simpler suspension and other systems for less repair costs.
Dated styling and technology
Middle of the line E class car

300SD
Larger car than the 300D (only 100lbs heavier)
Faster than the 300D (Better transmission and rear end)
Similar fuel economy to the 300D
More Complex and more stuff to break (power accessories, suspension)
Better suspension for comfy highway ride
More up to date styling and technology
More creature comforts and features
Top of the line S class Car

Here are some photos of my 300SD.

http://beostar.paunix.org/newmbzpics

When he said "it needs a timing chain", what did he mean? Broken chain, old chain, stretched chain, or not installed right?
If it's a broken chain, run away. You could quickly get into valves, a camshaft, piston(s) or even a new engine.
If it's not installed right, I'd seriously question the whole integrity of the "new engine" he put in.
In any case, I'd look someplace else. It sounds like he is just wanting to unload his problem on a new owner.

Your first questions:
1: All the years you listed use turbocharged 120HP engines. The 78-80 SD's are a W116 chassis, the 1981-1985 300SD's are a W126, and the 1982-85 300D's are a W123. The SD's are higher class luxury cars while the D's are more of a midsized semi-luxury cars. You should test drive all three. Everyone is different, I don't like the big body SD's but you might.

2: The 78-80 SD's (W116) are a bit more cramped in the engine compartment and they will start to rust if you even look at them the wrong way.

3: Expect $1500-4000 for a good car. $4000+ if you want a rust free cream-puff. Lower than $1500 should be thoroughly checked for problems if you plan to use it as a daily driver. (A Prepurchace inspection by an mercedes specialist is recommended no matter what the price range) EDIT: Also note that some have been selling on eBay in the $10,000+ range.

4: MPG is all across the board. It strongly depends on driving style and engine care by the past owner(s). I get 21mpg average on my car, 25mpg seems to be average for most, and some can get into the 29-32mpg range with lots of highway driving.

Welcome to the forum.

This is the type of car you have to inspect or have someone with a lot of same product knowledge inspect. When he said he dropped another engine and transmission forty k ago in he probably means just an average used example of each. Suspect he means timing chain is badley stretched or engine is not quite running properly and that is the quoted excuse. On the otherhand just may be an honest guy. Sometimes hard to differentiate. Just one thing to keep in mind. At the present time although I do not know how much time is left there are lots of these out there to choose from. You do not have to jump for one. This is sure to change at some point.

The car you're talking about sounds suspicious to me. If it were close by you could go take a look and maybe bring an expert along, but seeing as how it's in NV I would leave it alone. The potential for a nightmare seems to exist with this one.

Welcome to the Corvallis area! You might have noticed there are quite a few old MBs around here relative to other parts of the country. It seems road salt is used rarely or not at all here and there is very little rust as a result. That's why there are so many Datsuns, Triumphs, MG's, and 60's Mustangs around as well. Not too long ago there was a nice-looking white 240D for sale here, sometimes it was parked in front of Rice's Pharmacy on Kings Blvd....that doesn't have the power you seem to want (i.e. some power) and I don't know if it's still available, but it did look nice.

Anyway, you will be able to find a good MB in this area with a little patience, so I would wait for one to come up. The cars do sell on the high end here, though. I attribute this to the lack of rust and the heightened interest in WVO and biodiesel in the Pacific north west.

I've lived here for three years now. If you have any questions about the area feel free to send me a private message.

__________________
Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

First off i just want to thank everyone for the advice.

I'm probably going to stay away from the 300d in Nevada as 1. it sounds like a potential nightmare and 2. its 550 mile drive 1 way.

my driving style is somewhat slow as i drove an old 79 F100 for a few years. That took the edge off my 'need for speed' but i do like the ability to go fast when i need to, so the 300d or 300sd sounds like a good car.

A guy in Eugene contacted me and has a 1985 300 DT that he would sale for 5000. I really dont know if this is a good price, sounds a bit high... but what do i know?

anyone have an opinion on this price?

heres what he wrote me.
"Austin, I work for Mercedes Benz of eugene. I have a 1985 300 DT that
was
owned by the Distric Attorney in Portland. The car is super nice and
clean
and needs nothing. We have already run it through the Mercedes Benz
service
department and it is in tip top shape. I could show you the car
tomorrow
(tuesday) if you want to drive down to Eugene. We were asking 6900 but
I
could sell the car for 5000 if you want it. That is the least I could
take
though."

i was thinking of spending 2000-4000..

anyway..

I appreciate the feedback guys!!!!

$5K is a lot, but if it's as pristine as advertised, you might not regret paying that. But $6,900? I'm not sure anyone would pay that much...that's wagon territory (the wagons are more sought after) and possibly high even at that. What's the mileage like on this 300D?

Also, it's probably a CA model. In 1985 MB had to put special smog filters on cars sold in CA due to new emissions rules. There were many problems with these filters and MB finally did a recall some years back. On my car (this was before I had it) they replaced the bad filter and the turbo, as a piece of the filter had broken off and ruined it. If this is a CA car you're talknig about the recall work has probably been done, but you should check that. As there was a recall the work is free, of course.

My feeling is that a 300D around here with everything working would probably sell for about $4k, and if the interior and exterior are in outstanding shape the price would climb toward $5K. Economically I think $5K might not be bad if:

1. the car has all its maintenance records
2. the engine has less than 200K miles
3. the interior/exterior are reasonably close to flawless.
4. the car needs no work whatsoever and you don't feel like trying out your mechanical prowess, anyway.

Most cars you buy will depreciate in value; I think these old MBs may increase slightly as more are 'retired' and biodiesel becomes more common around the country. Just my opinion, of course.

I've had to go to the Eugene MB dealer twice so far and the parts people seem really nice, for whatever that's worth.

To summarize, I would seriously consider it if it meets all the criteria I listed.

__________________
Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

I thave sent these questions to the seller. We shall see what he says.
Thanks everyone for your input and help. i really appreciate it!


1. does the car have maintance records?
2. how many miles does it have?

3. what is the condition of the interior/exterior on a 1-10 scale (1=poor, 5 average, 10 perfect)

4. does the car have any mechanical problems small or large.
5. is it a california model?

$6900?

Im sorry but thats way to much money for any 123. Personally I would rather a $500 123 and then put $6000 worth of repairs into it.

yea.. 6900 is quite a bit. NO way im paying that much.

he was saying he would take 5k but even that makes me cringe a bit. i would like to pay at a max 4k. (2-3k is would be great)

Hmmm,

Was just thinking $6900 would pay for a "reasonable" 107 chassis SL. Throw in a few more thousand and your into early 1990's 129's or an early 140 body S class.

wagons are pulling quite a bit more than the sedans. 5000 may indeed be a good price. heck some buyers are PAYING 10K for good examples of the DT...
I may be wrong, and it may just be a typo, but the OP typed DT, and I was under the impression that DT was the wagon.
John

Geek,

Gas mileage on a Diesel : infinite. Unless you use a WVO. gasoline mix.

P E H

The wagon is the TD. A 'DT' is a turbo-powered car (Diesel Turbo). The 'DT' designation doesn't appear on the cars themselves, only on some written materials.

It IS a bit confusing.

__________________
Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

well, got the questions answered, here is what he wrote.

"Hi Austin, your answers follow.

1. 190K miles on engine.
2. It was serviced in Portland and that shop should have records, I do not have anything beyond the inspection done at Mercedes Benz of Eugene.
3. 8 <-quality of interior on 10 point scale ,,10 being flawless
4. 8 <-exterior
5. Nothing needed at all. Just drive it. As I said before, it has just been fully inspected at Mercedes Benz of Eugene, and came out with a clean bill of health.

And I do not think it is a California car, as I said, the car came from Portland.
"

o yea.. saw this today.
http://portland.craigslist.org/car/151963733.html

6k is more than i can afford to spend but it could be a nice car.