To CD or not to CD? '85 300 CD T 254k
 

Is it a baptism by fire to consider an '85 300 CD turbo (with Cali engine), as my first MB? 254k miles

Will it convert me to the MB way of life, or scare the glow plugs right out of me?

It's in excellent shape, with a few items not functional (rear-left window, antenna). Seats, carpet, dash, wood literally look unused. Exterior is straight, original paint with minor scratches. Champagne with black MB Tex interior. No dents, dings, major scratches.

I've spent hours searching thru this forum for anything on 300CD's, and have found only one meaningful thread: Spire 7/22/05 Is this the dreaded 1985 California MB 300CD engine?

...which doesn't bode well.

Any and all counsel much appreciated! (Most appreciated would be tips on searching all the thousands of threads. Forum Search function is not specific enough, as far as I can tell. This is my first posting, so let the hazing ritual begin...!)

There is actually nothing to dread about a 300CD 1985 kali edition.
Once you make the convertion from the trap oxidizer to the regular airbox you got yourself a very desirable vehicle... with one of the most reliable engine of the automobile history.
Part for the body are not very easy to find but eveything else (engine, suspenssion is shared with the more vanilla sedans.

the CD is pretty rare since it was a US market car and not many were made... couple thousand i think.. but still rare

If it checks out, go for it! Mercedes Benz parts are going to be somewhat expensive by nature, but the mechanical components are the same as the sedans and wagons, just the body style is different. Got any Pics?

the CD's interior is different than the sedan and wagon.. no interior pieces will really transfer over(depends on what it is).. but everything is generally the same(suspension, driveline, electrical for the most part)

Well, true! I never considered the interior, but I was talking about mechanical parts. I've never had one of these, but if I found one in my area I would definitely consider it. The interior thing is good to know though! Does tis include the front seats? Are they different than the sedan front seats?:o

Lemme know if you pass it up...
 

Welcome to the forum!

I have been on the lookout for a clean 84 or 85 CD with a good maintenance history...

My guess is you will enjoy this model even better than the sedans and you know how well we all love those!:D

Good luck:antlers:

the front seats on the sedan have a vacuum device on it that do not allow them to be tilted forward while the car is in Gear/Motion. and they also have the tilt lever

The coupe front seats are vastly different than in the sedan. How do you think you are supposed to get to the back seats with non-retractable front seats?:dizzy2:
Like in most others coupe from most others makers the front seats in a coupe 123 have a lever that slide the seat forward.

Run away. Find one with a Federal emissions engine.

i dont think the cali engine is all that bad. a little less power.

the front doghouse and all mechanicals are same as sedan (except driveshaft). the doors, windows, body are unique. interior parts of doors are same too some but not all. dash is same, steering wheel pedals etc. seats unique. trunk lid same and trunk interior. same bumper and taillights too.

very very nice cars. they drive a little more nimble than a sedan. you sit an inch or two lower. the only drawback imho, is a small backseat and the long door in a pull in parking space.

i have an 82 300cd.

feel free to pm if you like.

good luck

tom w

Not all that bad? It sacrifices power, economy, reliability, turbo life, simplicity, maintenance costs, emissions, and overall cost to *look* cleaner out the tailpipe.

I wondered if my sedan had coupe seats!!! I either thought they all had retractable levers or someone made a seat swap in my E300D! Oh well, I like my seats the way they are and the upholstery is really good too, perfect! the tilt feature came in handy several times while carrying large bulky objects in back!!!!:cool: Like the live Christmas tree I bought today!!!

but really, if it is a good car that runs well, isnt that more important than maximum power, etc?

is it 5% more trouble? 10%? at 265k will it make a big difference?

i have never owned one, i am just going by what i have read here.

tom w

The $60 air filter alone should be enough to throw off most people.

I just picked up an 83 300cd, but it's not the California one, but I sure like the way it handles and rides, I have been fixing up the little things that needed to be done to it, the window that doesn't work is a simple fix after you remove the rear seat, side panel, and the lower cover that the motor is behind. Then remove the 2 torx screws that hold the motor to the regulator and locate the capactor on the bottom of the motor, either replace it, or solder the 2 terminals together, (that's how I fixed mine) the armature and brushes looked like they were new, but the motor did not run until I soldered them. I wish I would have taken some pictures of this repair:o , and the repair I made to the front window regulator that had 3 stripped teeth, I wire welded teeth back on, and ground them back down to look like the other teeth, now my front window works like new!:)

i have an 85 kali 300D and i love it. ya i have to pay $45 (not $60) for the air filters, but you can swap them over to federal if you want to later. i checked my car and it had the newer oxidizing catalyst installed. i will get that taken out and a straight pipe installed. but overall i love the car, and would buy another. if the CD is in great shape, no rust, awesome interior, and the vacuum stuff mostly works then i would go for it. vacuum issues is what i heard is more annoying on this car than others, but i have had very few issues. i have actually more problems with my 80 240D, which is very very simple compared to the 85.

if you wont get it, send me the info, my wife would kill me but i always wanted a CD.

Winchester- I think i have the exact same problem with the rear window. it was stuck down, and at the time I addressed the problem did not have a spare motor, nor did I have torx drivers to pull the motor and look at it, so i jammed the window up (with wood and fabric, it's held for months without signs of weakening). the front window also had stripped teeth, but i have a replacement regulator on the way. thanks for the tips of the fix.

The list price is actually $75 :eek: but you can get them for $45 as has already been said. But that's a once-a-year expense. The right side of the engine bay is a little harder to work on because there's more junk in it. If it really bothers you (it doesn't bother me) you can find a wrecked car and pull all of the parts to do a Federal conversion.

Since it's getting harder as the years pass to get a W123 in really good condition, I wouldn't let the CA emissions make the decision for you unless it's a choice between two nearly-identical cars. I'd be more concerned about the fact that the CD is relatively rare, with harder to find body and interior parts, than I would the trap oxidizer.

Speaking of which, you might want to run the VIN through the Mercedes computer at your dealer. Find out of the trap ox ==> trap cat conversion has been done. Some people never got around to it; it could get you most of an exhaust system for free.

WOW! Thanks for the response!
 

Much appreciated to everyone whose taken the time to reply to my thread. I figured there would be a heckle or two, but not repair manuals already! Great tips, insights, and differing opinions! The windows tip will come in handy right away.

Gotta say the mileage makes me dizzy, so the more long-haul stories out there the better!

Definitely feeling the MB aura right now, and honestly can't wait to look out the window and know that a CD is waiting for me in the driveway. (She's mine tomorrow.) I'm already looking at other cars on the road in a different way.

Knowing there's a forum to address real-time issues with live people goes a long way towards making my decision. I'm cutting my teeth on this one, so will post as I go. Thanks again!