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#1
11-29-2006, 02:32 PM
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Should I buy this? 1987 300D pics
The up side is it is only $1500 (I can already hear the wise old men saying "there's nothing more expensive than a cheap car)
The downside is it has the #14 head, and over 300k miles. It has a few other minor issues that don't really seem too much - rear windows don't work, odometer not working, glow plug relay not working, blower motor not working, dent in the fender. Guy says the engine was replaced by the previous owner at around 100k I believe. He says it runs really well, shifts strongly, no real leaks. But it seems like a bit of a gamble with the #14 head. And I can't go over to have a casual look at it and test the coolant pressure becuase it is far away. Whatcha 'old boys think? Take a chance (or is it not really a big chance?) or save my money and wait for a pristine 124 with service records and all. Or I could get a W123 300D as an upgrade from my beater 240D that I spend about 4 hours a day in/700 miles a week. Thing is, my wife has a 92 300D 2.5 and it is smooth as the proverbial infant's posterior compared to my beater. All opinions appreciated. Couldn't get this pic up - too big - so here it is www.pauldrayton.com/uploadfiles/merc/300deng.jpg 
Last edited by pdrayton; 11-29-2006 at 02:39 PM. 
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#2
11-29-2006, 02:49 PM
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If the rest of the car checks out ok I wouldn't hesitate. The mileage and #14 head wouldn't sway me.
My 300D is in a similar group as that- 238K and a #14 and I drive it everyday. Got mine for $2500 with 224K on it 3 years ago.
__________________
 1980 500SE/AMG Euro 1981 500SEL Euro 1982 380SEL 1983 300TD 1983 500SEC/AMG Euro 1984 500SEC 1984 300TD Euro 1986 190E 2.3-16 1986 190E 2.3 1987 300D 1997 C36 AMG 2003 C320T 4matic past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350
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#3
11-29-2006, 03:20 PM
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How do you recognize a #14 head?
__________________
-justin 1987 300TD, 1987 300TD 2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon
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#4
11-29-2006, 03:56 PM
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Motor looks VERY crusty for some reason...
__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.  '85 300SD 245k '87 300SDL 251k '90 300SEL 326k Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford. Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]
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#6
11-29-2006, 04:11 PM
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Quote:
__________________
1987 Mercedes 300D ~200K (Greasecar & Biodiesel) 1993 Ford F-250 7.3 IDI diesel 165K (Biodiesel) 1996 Thomas/International Bus with DT466 engine 
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#8
11-29-2006, 05:38 PM
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Coastal Florida cars get lots of salt air, it gets into places that the rain and car washes don't get it out, thus the corrosion on the engine etc.
Watch out for lots of electrical gremlins caused by this salt air exposure.
__________________
 Gone to the dark side - Jeff
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#9
11-29-2006, 05:57 PM
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Oops, sorry, I should have clarified - the car is in Michigan, I am in Florida.
That's one of my resistances to getting it - big road trip. So, as I understand it so far - the car could be fine for another few 100k, or it could already have a cracked head and leave me stranded. I'm not liking it at the moment.
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#10
11-29-2006, 06:08 PM
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IS MICHIGAN Not one of the hi=rust areas of the country because of the salted winter roads ? ? ?
__________________
david h 83 300D Alabama Beauty (Son's) 83 300D West Coast Rust Free that been abused
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#11
11-29-2006, 06:12 PM
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Michigan is not usually as bad on electricals, but still hard on the under-hood stuff if the car is driven regularly on highways, the salt air is kicked up by traffic and gets everywhere. Fortunately this only occurs a few months of the year at most where coastal cars get it 24/7. Carwashes here have under-body sprayers to rinse much of it off and some of us regularly hose out the engine compartment to keep it looking good.
The worst two vehicles I've ever bought for rust however: New Orleans, LA (rusted out radiator supports and all kinds of wierd stuff, not a flood vehicle) and Melborne Beach Florida. Oh, there was one from the Tampa area also, guy lived across the street from the bay, lots of crusty stuff and rusty exhaust.
__________________
Gone to the dark side - Jeff
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#12
11-29-2006, 09:20 PM
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Johnef, obviously you have lots of experience, and I value your opinion.
The problem is- I can't really check it out without going to michigan, from Florida. The guy seems very honest and hasn't tried to hide anything that I can tell. He's moving over seas and doesn't need it. What to do.....
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#13
11-29-2006, 09:32 PM
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well- you'll most likely have to fly out and either drive it back or fly home if youre not satisfied with what you see. Maybe someone on the board here lives near there that could go over and check it out for you...OR talk the seller into having a pre purchase inspection done
__________________
1980 500SE/AMG Euro 1981 500SEL Euro 1982 380SEL 1983 300TD 1983 500SEC/AMG Euro 1984 500SEC 1984 300TD Euro 1986 190E 2.3-16 1986 190E 2.3 1987 300D 1997 C36 AMG 2003 C320T 4matic past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350
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#14
11-29-2006, 10:10 PM
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Johnef - thanks for the reply. I was thinking of not getting it becuase of the #14 head, but now I'm not so sure.
The seller is OK with holding it for me until I get up there. Assuming the engine is OK (no pressure in the hoses, etc) and the rest is acceptable, would the tranny be on its way out? I read on other posts that over 250k you're 'living on borrowed time' with the tranny. I don't know about that. depends how it has been looked after, I think. The owner says is shifts strong, no flaring, no clunking. Also, there was talk that over 250K you're looknig at a new head gasket and valve work. What do you think? At worst I lose $500 going up there to check it out and back. At best I get a great car, spend $500 on fixing it up and drive it for 5 years. Now where did I put my crystal ball...... Anybody in Dearborn, Michigan or nearby feel like making some good karma and helping a merc nut out? I'll bring some sand from the beach for you.... Last edited by pdrayton; 11-29-2006 at 10:20 PM.
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#15
11-29-2006, 10:13 PM
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The head isn't a problem if not SEVERELY overheated. Im' on stock head, big deal. I have spare updated ones.
The VAC PUMP is more of an issue.
__________________
I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look. '85 300SD 245k '87 300SDL 251k '90 300SEL 326k Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford. Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]
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