looking at buying a 1982 300td - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

runnin262 · #1 10-13-2006, 03:48 PM

Help...I have been wanting to buy a 300td wagon with the intention of going bio/vo. I have found a 1982 that is almost perfect exterior/interior with 135K...a super clean car. I have driven the car a few times and the thing that scares me is that on take off I feel like a sitting duck as it takes time to get going. There is also a rather large fluid spot under the car at the car lot. I want the car but this will be my first diesel and I have heard that if the engine is bad I can expect 3-4 times the value of the car in repairs. I have taken the car to the shop which has worked on it and they say the previous owner was a maniac for detail. I am planning on taking the car back to this shop for a compression test but I live in a small town in southern Utah and this is about the only shop able to work on MB.
Thoughts please...

riethoven · #2 10-13-2006, 03:54 PM

Condition and verifiable mechanical condition are everything when it comes to these cars. No acceleration could be a number of things from very simple to very complex but tends to be simple.

Is the car on a used car lot? If it is don't believe anything they say. Have the car checked out by someone you trust. Have a compression and leak down test if possible. Have himn also give it a once over to look for anything that might need to be fixed. How much is the car going for? Can you post any photos?

runnin262 · #3 10-13-2006, 04:08 PM

Thanks Doug!
The car is on a used car lot...kinda why I'm really nervous about taking anything they say to heart.
The car does have good acceleration at about 2000rpm...suppose when the turbo kicks in.
Can take pics this weekend. They are asking $3995 but can get for $3000.
I agree with you on the tests, trouble is that I moved here 3 months ago and don't really know of others shops equipped to support MB...I'm sure the shop that has maintained the car in the past would not give me bad info just to get business??
Tracy

kerry · #4 10-13-2006, 04:20 PM

Is there any means, such as receipts, by which you can verify the mileage? $3k is a good price if the mileage is accurate and the condition good. When I bought mine, I was able to verify mileage by repair receipts and emissions receipts in the glove compartment.
Where is the fluid spot? Under trans, engine or near the hydropneumantic rear suspension?

Addicted · #5 10-13-2006, 04:28 PM

Have you driven any other 123 MB's. They are not that fast to begin with....can be made to, but standard no.

If it truely has 145K on it and it looks like it was taken care interior/exterior, AND the mechanic that took care of it was not part of this lot (Hey at least there is a mech that took care of it....that is a good start) then I bet it is fine.

My best bet would be 1 of 3 small easy, extremely cheap things.

#1: You are used to a gas car....these are not fast on take off and the wagon is a bit heavy.

#2: ALDA has never been adjusted..with the "Stock" adjustment (that means never adjusted) she will be slow on take off and then respond just like you mentioned...really well just above 2000+ RPM

#3: Was the car completely warm or just a run around the block. It doesn't usually make much of a difference at all but it can make a slight difference for those who know their car.

I say send some pictures and talk to the mech but for 3K I would say absolutely go for it!!!!

Check the SLS pump and make sure it works. If not it makes a great ground to get him to bring down the price as they are expensive to replace.

runnin262 · #6 10-13-2006, 04:32 PM

I did spy the repair manual in the glovebox and service records seem to support the 135K.
The fluid appears to be under the engine...when I asked the shop during a simple "please take a look before I buy" the mechanic said "it's an old car, there will be leaks"
It also appears that there is new paint, there is a run on the leading edge of the hood. The under carriage/body seem to be rust free.