Hello to all,
I recently sold my car to shed a payment...baby needs formula is what I'm told. I have been looking at getting into a diesel for some time due to the fuel economy and the ability to burn WVO and/or Biodiesel. The only problem is that I know nothing about diesel mechanics. I am a confident, sometimes over ambitious shadetree mechanic, and I don't want to bite off more than I can chew. I understand how diesel engines work, but don't know about the Mercedes common problem areas/quirks.

I have a chance to buy an 87 300TD with 300,000+ miles, rough body, supposedly good mechanicals. The owner is a Mercedes mechanic, he said it needed rear subframe bushings and some exhaust work.

Would a car like this have life left in it, or will I quickly spend more than my old car payment in repairs? Any thoughts or opinions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Since you might not have a large disposible income at this stage in your life I would not buy a 1987 300d. For starters it is somewhat more trouble prone than the earlier mercedes diesels. If you want true fuel economy plus you are willing to work on your car to some extent if a diesel I would consider either volkswagon or perhaps a toyota or honda gas car. Expensive to maintain even doing the work yourself cars should be avoided like the plage unless it is partially like a hobby and you do have the resources. You also really cannot put milage back into a car at reasonable cost even if possible and 300k is too much even if it is the original milage. I hate to see anyone put themselves into a box. Now if the car is say 500.00 you should be able to walk away from it if you have to at one stage or keep it for when you do have more disposable income when it breaks. Just my opinion.

The W123 300D turbo up to 1985 is a great car. They are relatively simple and parts are easy to come by. I am biased, I have four of them. They grow on you.

i disagree,
these old benzes are easy to work on and cheaper to work on than a honda or volkswagen.... I have an 1983 300sd and i need a transmission... i have found about 3 ranging in price form 150 to 500 dollars... now try that with a honda or volkswagen... Now the benze has a lot more space and I can get my hands down in it compared to a honda....

The two jobs you have described are easy and if the engine and tranny are good and the body is not rusted out and if your getting a good deal on it then go for it... we will support you... and you will be fine...

I would not purchase a 1987 300TD with a rough body and 300K on the clock, even if it was sold to me at $500.00.

Vehicles of that model and vintage require significant investment of knowledge and parts........to the tune of $2K per year........if you intend to stay ahead of the repair curve. Now you have a decent vehicle with a rough body. Additionally, an engine with 300K is no bargain. There are no assurances once you get over that number. Sure, there are folks on this forum with close to 400K, but, what's the odds that you will have the same result?

Find a better example, or consider a lower cost M/B such as the W123 series where parts are less costly.

The vehicle in question sounds like a nice parts car candidate for someone who owns an S124 and is already on the other side of the rather steep learning curve it takes to manage some of their relatively few but expensive "issues". Though I'm not a big fan of the 123 series, I agree with Brian's suggestion here. My $800 300D has been a real value-leader in the fleet.

If you have current dependable / functional transportation, and money is tight, don't take on a 87 300TD as a project, or for that matter, any other car. You would likely have to invest a fair sum of money getting the little issues fixed up on the car.

Feed the baby. If restless, try to find a project that makes money instead of spending it.

Just an opinion......

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Thanks for your replies, this car may be a stretch, and it involves significant travel to pick it up. The asking price ($1800) is probably not low enough to make the deal worthwhile.

My wife's car is our dependable transportation, and I need something to get me around town. I have my sights set on a diesel for economical and social reasons and would like to have a larger vehicle for small hauling duties. The Mercedes wagon seems to be a good fit, maybe I sould wait for a better example. Thanks again for the replies.

For cheap, commuter transportation a 91 or 92 VW Jetta diesel can't be beat.

Accessory systems (brakes, vacuum, climate control) are vastly simpler than the 123 or 126 MB's, lots of room to work on the engine, parts are plentiful and cheaper.

These model years were the last two years that they were produced in Germany in the old boxy body style before manufacture was moved to Mexico.

Avoid 93's and 94's like the plague - poor quality.