Hello,

I am currently looking for a used MB diesel, 240D, 300D, 300TD, or 300SD. I have in my sights a 1985 300SD with 163,000 miles on it. It is at a Dodge dealership asking price is $4999. Carfax is clean, but I need to know what problems to be on the lookout for. I have wanted one of these for a long time, and can finally afford one.

Thanks!

RRGrassi

They are great cars and the 5cyl models are particularly durable.
There are some discussions like this already here that I read. Maybe you can find them with the search function. First thing I would look for is rust, then just how well it runs and drives, trying everything, doorlocks, dumping water on the sunroof, all elctric windows. Drive fast and corner hard (heck its not yours yet). Interior is a good indicator of past treatment and actual mileage. Driver's seat will often sag. Look for leaks, check fluids. Start it COLD. or as cold as possible this time of year. If the dealer has it warmed up for you when you get there everytime you come over, I would be worried about the glowplugs and / or compression, since a cold start is a good test for these.

Good Luck

__________________
1983 300CD 245K
Running WVO blends

Mark,

Thanks for the info! I had never thought about the car staring cold. Makes perfect sense, though. Our VW diesel lost a glow plug after 30,000 miles. I am planning on paying for a pre-purchase inspection off site from the dealership.

Take care!

If you're paying for an offsite test make sure it's done by a knowledgeable MB shop - also make sure they do a compression test on all cylinders - get the results, post here for comments from more senior members. This is one of the most vital stats on these cars...

Also, drive the car and see how it accelearates off the start and most importantly how it shifts through the gears. It should do 0-60mph in less than 15 seconds. Listen to the Turbo spoolup - and watch the Tachometer as you accelerate. Look for any signs of power loss as you accelerate.

Look under the vehicle - or when you have the MB shop check the vehicle - have them throughly check the undercarriage for rust especially under the floors.

In that price range you should expect the vehicle to be in a VERY good condition and have full maintenance/work history.

James

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

James,

Thanks for the additional info. I did call the dealership and was told that they did not have the records. I have never heard of missing records unless there was a forgetful owner doing the trade in, or...some one is trying to hide something. I do know about "Keep the best. Auction the rest."

I am wanting the MB diesel because of it's fuel economy and the diesel's longevity.

I'll keep everyone posted.

Thanks!

RRGrassi

Since you are in Texas, you'll want the air conditioner to work. The five-button control for the "climate control" can have electronic problems. Check it out and find out whether it's been changed to R-134 or is still on R-12. The older R-12 Freon is more expensive but cools better since the system was designed to use it. Older a/c systems designed on R-12 don't cool as well when converted. It's a small point but you might as well know in advance.

The cruise control is another source of electronic problems. There is a lot of information on that subject on this forum, search "cruise control." A $5000 car should have a working cruise.

The SD has lots of neat power options that aren't so neat if they don't work. If the car has an owner's manual or if you can find one, check everything that's important to you and make sure it works.

While you're checking for rust and leaks, pull up the carpet or pad in the trunk, look in the spare tire well for evidence of water. Leaks at the lower edge of the rear window are not uncommon; the water goes into the trunk.

These cars have many functions operated by vacuum -- door locks, engine functions, climate control, even stopping the engine is performed by a vacuum line. If there is a problem with the vacuum pump or a leak somewhere, some functions won't work properly.

Good luck and keep us informed.

__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Hi Jeremy,

Well, I did go look at the car. They did not want me to take it to a MB specialist, and they could not produce any service or repair records. The A/C was converted to 134, and I noticed the A/C compressor looked just like the GM R4. I worked at a Cadillac dealer in the early 80's as an apprentice mechanic while taking high school auto repair. I replaced more of those R4's than I can count. I can't believe MB would use that compressor. They are known to fail because there is no oil pan so to speak. A freon leak also means an oil leak. No and low freon mean impending lock up. If you could mount a GM A6, then you would have a really reliable compressor, because they do have an oil reserve built in.

I did test drive it, it seemed to handle well, and the oil cap did not dance. It appeared to be rust free, but since it was dusk by the time I got there, I could not see underneath very well. The car was not running, but the engine was hot from a prior test drive. The antenna did not work, and the rear windows had problems going up and down. Vacuum system seemed fine to me.

So, I passed up the car based on the dealers insistance that thier shop should have been sufficient enough of a pre purchase inspection. I have learned that if the seller balks at you taking the car for an inspection, they have something to hide.

I am now looking at a 300D in Fort Worth.

I'll post again with more info when I get it.

Thanks for all the help thus far!

RRGrassi

I think you've made the right call - sounds pretty fishy to me... it's always hard to walk away from something that looks desirable, but experience teaches us to trust our instincts...

Good luck -

James

__________________
1987 Mercedes 300SDL; SOLD
1985 Mercedes 300D; SOLD
2006 Honda Pilot - wife's ride; 122K;
1995 Toyota Land Cruiser - 3X locked; 182K

Figures. The one if Fort Worth is already sold. Based on all the reading of the posts, I would like to narrow my search for a 240D manual tranny or a 300D just for fuel economy. The SD and SDL's appear to get the same MPG as my 2000 Nissan Altima. No money savings there.

If you are looking for great mileage-try to find a 190D-the manual tranny ones can get in excess of 40 MPG. In the W123 (240D or 300D/T) it takes a miracle to get great mileage-you drive one for the tank-like body and reliability. Mine has gotten 28 hwy MPG, I've heard that's about tops for an older turbodiesel that's not a 190D.

__________________
1982 300DT 190K (Diesel Purge + synthetic oil=smoothness at last!!!)
2004 Ford E-350 6.0 L PSD 227K
2006 Dodge Ram 3500 SRW HO Cummins 4X4 48RE 42K (brute force tow vehicle)
2005 Scion xB wife's rolling pop can
1993 GMC Sierra C3500 6.2 142K

A 300D doesn't get a lot better fuel mileage than a 300SD. I guess aerodynamics makes up for the 300 lb weight difference.

If you have a $5000 budget, a 90-93 300D 2.5 is within reach. These cars get 30mpg in the hands of folks who get 25 mpg out of a 300D. 190Ds aren't bad either and are available with MT if that's what you prefer. Although these cars have aluminum cylinder heads, there isn't a stigma of faulty design.

Sixto

Bullwinkle, and Sixto,

I never thought about the 190. I have heard horror stories about 190 2.3 and 2.6 gas engines. I never knew about 190D. I'll expand my search for those as well.

Thanks!

I have found a 190D in Dallas on Autotrader.com They are asking $3100 and claim it has 330,000 miles on it. Is it worth looking at?

Thanks again for all the help and information!

It's worth looking at so you know what to expect when the one you buy racks up that many miles

Sixto

Ok, guys, here's a 190D I found. I would like a take on "the slow shift" and how it "normal" for a small diesel. Here is the explanation as found on Autotrader.com:

This 1987 Mercedes-Benz 190-Class 4dr 190D 2.5 Turbodiesel Sedan features a 2.5L Turbocharged Diesel I5 SOHC 10V 5cyl Diesel engine. It is equipped with a 4 speed automatic transmission. The vehicle is Grey with a Grey Cloth interior. It is offered As-Is, not covered by a warranty. FOR $3000 YOU CAN DRIVE THIS CAR FOR TEN MORE YEARS ,ONE OF THE BEST BENZ HAS MADE AS A DIESEL ENGINE ,HAS LOTS OF COMPRESION RUNS STRONG NO SMOKE START WHEN ITS CLOD ,A BOIDIESEL DREAM ,THIS CAR WILL SAVE YOU LOTS OF MONEY ON INSURANCE AND GAS ,IT WILL BE PAID FOR NO PAYMENT OR LATE CHARGES YOU STILL CAN SELL IT FOR $2500 IN THE NEXT TEN YEARS ,IT HAS ONE SMALL PROPLEM THE TRANSMISION SHIFT SLOW IN THE SCONED GEAR ITS NORMAL FOR SMALL DIESEL ENGINE TO SHIFT SLOW OTHER WISE IT RUNS GOOD - Non-Smoker, This Mercedes-Benz is in Good overall exterior condition, Good overall interior condition, Cloth seats

Gotta love the grammer and spelling!

Thanks again!