Buying a 300sd
 

I am brand new to the forum, but love the diesel engine. I am (thinking about) buying an '82 300sd later today. What can I, should I look for aside from the usual rust, leaks, burning oil etc... is there anything in particular I should be wary of????

Appreciate the help. This site fuc%ing rocks.

Rule #1 There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes"

The obvious: Check for working condition of everything from windows to tach. Everything that does not work is going to co$t.

Engine and drive train are the two big ticket items. If you can have a compression check done it's going to tell you allot. Transmission operation can be tricky as many a declared dieing tranny has turned out to be just vacuum issues.

Missing pieces. What's not on the car or is broken. Little odds and ends can add up quickly, even for the savvy pull parts scavenger.

Assign a dollar amount to everything that will need to be repaired or replaced. This is no time to short yourself, be critical. Better to have counted the repair in as not to have. Take the price of the car and repair figures and decide if this is going to be financially feasible for you.

These are fantastic cars, but they are not indestructible. Everything mechanical can (and will) break.

He hit the nail on the head. Your only problem is that there are several things to look for that are particular to the Mercedes. Climate control comes to mind. If it is not working and the owner says it only needs a recharge don't believe him.

The bottom line is that if you are willing and able to do your own regular maintenance per Mercedes and repairs that a 20something year old car will inevitably need, than these can be great cars. If you don't know how to do anything mechanical and have no knowledge of the workings of cars, then these cars can cost you a fortune and if you come across and unscrupulous or unqualified repair shop, then maybe you are paying for repairs you don't even need due to their ignorance or fraud.

I love these cars and kick myself occasionally that I did not figure how great they are years ago. I can always see a Mercedes turbodiesel in my future.:D It will probably never be a new one or even a five or six year old one. But that is OK, because I hate car payments.

used 300sd
 

There are many more expert than I but some things I would look for

- rust around bottom of rear window, jacking points, front suspension components
- oil leaks around turbo or injection pump
- correctly operating power door locks (vacuum operated)
- sun roof opens and shuts
- brakes and shocks in good shape. remember to check parking brake.
- maintenance records available??
- climate control (thermostatically controlled temp) operating correctly
- both heater and AC work
- seat motors, interior lights, odometer, gauges etc work properly
- take it up to 80mph on a good road - should track dead straight with only one finger on the steering wheel, no bouncing or wallowing, no smoke from exhaust
- if possible have compression check done on engine as mentioned before

Good luck!

thank you all
 

does all this still apply if the car has 300+K miles on it? or should I skip checking the car altogether? the guy wants 1500 for it

My bottom line...????

MAINTENANCE RECORDS!

If you go to look at the car and he has no records of any type.....leave.