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  #1  
Old 04-29-2006, 08:12 AM
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1985 300d

Am looking at a very low miles '85 300D. Am pretty handy with cars but don't know much about the MB 300D's. Seller is asking $3000 for car. Any advise/suggestions?

Thanks

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  #2  
Old 04-29-2006, 08:26 AM
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Ok

Does it run, have you driven it and does it look pretty? You know, you have seen it, we have not.
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Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!
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  #3  
Old 04-29-2006, 08:40 AM
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Try nada.com

They are a lil high however.

My 1982 300SD cost me 3600 but was pretty and ran well and well taken care of.

If it's worth 3G to you get it.

good luck
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  #4  
Old 04-29-2006, 09:00 AM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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on a car this old, no meaningful evaluation of value is possible without quite a bit of information about its condition.

i recommend an evaluation by a mercedes diesel experienced mechanic including a compression test.

it could be worth anywhere from 300 to 3000.

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.
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  #5  
Old 04-29-2006, 09:01 AM
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well first you need to define low miles
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  #6  
Old 04-29-2006, 09:19 AM
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and be advised to not believe the miles without convincing documentation in the form of repair bills with interlocking mileage statements.

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.
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  #7  
Old 04-29-2006, 09:44 AM
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it might be "low miles" since the odometer stuck for a long time. i over paid for my 85 by 1000$ but im still happy with it. good strong motor barely any blowby, good compression (havent done a test but it started no prob in 20 degrees) and alot of things to make it a very nice DD all for 2500$.. rember bring cash you can get the price down lil tip.. a couple hundreds wrapped around twenties.. big ole wad will make them think youve got alot.
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  #8  
Old 04-29-2006, 02:42 PM
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Is it all rusty?
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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
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  #9  
Old 04-29-2006, 07:02 PM
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More info later

Sorry, Fellas... I know I should have been more specific. I haven't seen it yet although my guess is its in fairly if not very good shape. I believe it has 70k+ or less orig miles. I believe this bec it was owned by an MD acquaintance whose MD wife drove it very little. Stayed in garage most of the time.

A mutual acquaintance bought it and had the dealer give it a once thru to make sure thiings were up to snuff. He claims he spent $2k to get it up to snuff. (might have inflated it it a bit to justify price). He said he;s ready to sell it.

I was suppose to chk it out today but it'll have to be this coming week.

Thanks for the link on Diesel stuff.

C220 278k miles
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  #10  
Old 04-29-2006, 07:09 PM
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Just Testing

Just a test
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2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
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  #11  
Old 05-03-2006, 06:48 PM
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Tested it and can use some feedback

Ok, Fellas. I drove the 1985 300D Turbo Diesel today. It has 110k miles. The main thing I noticed was that it is very anemic. I am wondering if the turbo is even working. A Mercedes mechanic has gone thru it according to my owner buddy. Supposedly, the "rubber" hoses connected to each side of the injectors were replaced cuz they were leaking (don't know what those hoses do). Also, the water pump was replaced.

Some minor electrical stuff but nothing I am worried about.

The mechanic in me is telling me that there seems to be something amiss with the power of the car. Even for a diesel, it should have a little bit more pep.

Any thoughts????
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the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth...
2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
68 Kombi
Contessa
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  #12  
Old 05-03-2006, 07:04 PM
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the dts of that era are sluggish off the line but come alive after about 50' of travel. just taking off when you are about across the intersection. once the turbo spools up it acclerates like a v8 almost. if all is well.

if it is not the usual suspect is the alda fitting. this is a small plastic tube that attaches at the back of the valve cover with a banjo bolt. take it off and clean it out if dirty and the car should pep up.

otherwise it could be plugged fuel (2) or air filters.

the usual routine is to change oil and filter, both fuel filters and air filter. for starters, only then can you really tell what you have.

a compression test is always helpful in evaluating an engine.

i suggest paying a mb diesel familiar mechanic to do it and give the car a good once over, prepurchase.

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.
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  #13  
Old 05-03-2006, 07:14 PM
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Thanks

Thanks very much Tom. I kinda poke my head under the hood but not having played a whole lot with Diesels, I just know the basics. I am not afraid of them (diesels) as I truly believe they are simpler than gas engines. Just a little exposure and boning up will get me on track.

I am very interested in the car. I did not experience the pick up that you mentioned. Thats why I also thought the turbo may not be fully operational. I will chk the part you are referring to.

Its possible the front shocks may need to be replaced also as it felt a "boaty" when I drove it although it took the rough pavement very well.

The AC is not working but not sure if its worth fixing. The heat works fine - needed in Michigan.
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the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth...
2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
68 Kombi
Contessa
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  #14  
Old 05-03-2006, 07:14 PM
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if its just anemic its fixable. At probably very low cost. Does it have the Calif (and Oregon) trap oxidizer? if so the factory has a free replacement program. Those are always plugging up and reducing performance very significantly.

If the banjo bolt at the rear of the intake manifold or the plastic line from it to the switchover valve on the firewall that leads ultimately to the ALDA is pluged you also get a reduction in fule to the injection pump. Simple to clean those items out. If the ALDA hasn't been "tweaked" you can get a lot of power improvement there.

If the timing is off due to a stretched timing chain you lose power and that is a little more expensive to get right but at under 100K miles it is extremely unlikely that the timing chain shows any excessive stretch (wear actually).

The '85 300D was a great year and the last of the 123 chassis. It sounds like a good shop needs to check it out, then it should run very nicely. I have driven an '85 300TD (wagon) cross country twice and from my experience its a splendid road car. We hauled five adults on one trip and got about 22 MPG even with short bursts up to 90 MPH along I10 thru New Mexico, Arizona, W Texas etc. That car will really cruise great when its running properly.
PS the turbo is the last thing I would expect with a sluggish dieselturbo but it is the easiest thing to check. Feel the bearings and attach a boost gauge and you can tell if its not working. A good used one is not too bad or about $350 to have one rebuilt (less labor to R&R).
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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!
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  #15  
Old 05-03-2006, 07:18 PM
t walgamuth's Avatar
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yeah i used to always suspect the turbo right off but it has never been the problem, so far for me. i have even rebuilt one that was innocent.

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.

Last edited by t walgamuth; 05-03-2006 at 07:24 PM.
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