Lets brainstorm and make a List Newbies should consider when buying a 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JimmyL · #1 11-17-2006, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Carrameow

That was a low blow.

On a more serious note:

I've got a lot of respect for you Richard, and only busted on you based on your history of a good sense of humor. I hope you took it in the light-hearted manner in which it was intended......

Bruce Kennedy · #2 11-17-2006, 10:22 AM

While your looking underneath for rust, cracked boots, oil leaks ect., look at the condition of the exhaust. Not a cheap system on these cars.

andmoon · #3 11-17-2006, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bruce Kennedy

While your looking underneath for rust, cracked boots, oil leaks ect., look at the condition of the exhaust. Not a cheap system on these cars.

I have seen some turbo models w/ generic setups...or 'pipes' that didn't make more noise than stock.

Carrameow · #4 11-17-2006, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

I've got a lot of respect for you Richard, and only busted on you based on your history of a good sense of humor. I hope you took it in the light-hearted manner in which it was intended......

Of course I did, I mean I must be the biggest joker or comedian around here. I'm not uptight and stressed out like Brian Carlton

.I am flattered that you even thought you had to apologize~!

Carrameow · #5 11-17-2006, 11:53 AM

I'm still thinking about how to write this without making it overly expensive or time consuming. Also a lot of engine asessment has to do with Injection Pump assessment. Finally since the price of these cars is around the $1K mark, I doubt anyone wants to pay someone $100 to have it checked out and have a compression check done. Most buyers are probably shooting from the Hip and going by gut feelings.
Sadly a lot of these cars don't get well maintained towards the end of their use. If it has been, I am sure you will know that intuitively by the owner's presentation of the car. He will be usually knowledgable and probably have another Diesel.

I would just hate to see a buyer burned by bad oil rings or serious engine damage. To that extent I would recommend driving it for at least 40 to 60 miles and checking the oil level before and after. Also though a diesel is noisy, a good diesel's noise is rythmic and periodic and doesn't have irregular sounds.

I am going to give some thought to this this weekend.

Eskimo · #6 11-17-2006, 12:02 PM

OK, I'll throw one in here by quoting myself from another thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskimo

This has been stated many, many times on this forum, but I'll state it again: Unless solid information is available to verify it, do not assign any extra value to one of these cars solely for showing "low miles" on the odometer. The odometers are notorious for failing spontaneously. They're also notoriously easy to reset to any particular desired mileage.