To all who have helped me out and given valuable feedback, I appreciate it. Here are a few more cars I want to look at, want some of your expert advice before I go check them out.

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/wst/car/254990431.html

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lgb/car/254138730.html

( /\ I think this belongs to someone on here)

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=206354818&dealer_id=55837407&car_year=1985&search_type=both&num_records=25&keywordsfyc=&make=MB&transmission=&make3=&model=300D&distance=300&make2=MB&address=92692&default_sort=priceDESC&advanced=&certified=&model2=300DT&max_mileage=&max_price=&sort_type=priceDESC&min_price=&body_code=0&end_year=1985&keywordsrep=&color=&start_year=1981&drive=&engine=&fuel=&doors=&style_flag=1&cardist=26

I'd say the blue one looks like a pretty good deal. I'm guessing the dash is pretty cracked up, thats why it has the cover over it. Looks like either the owner had the car cleaned plus the engine, but when a car has spotless wheels wells and someone added jack hole plugs, it may be a good sign. Interior looks good as well. Ask about reciepts.

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-Zack K.

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmong...-Drive/si2.jpg


1983 300d Turbo (Daily Drive) -- 243,000 miles
1979 280ce AMG (Beginning extreme restoration) -- 141,410 miles
1979 Yamaha Chappy LB50 (Awating new points) -- 1411.6 miles

1981 300d Euro 4 speed -- 188,421 km -- SOLD
1979 300d Euro 4 speed (Sold to Brother) -- 257,000 miles

A Collection of w123 AMG Cars and Parts

Since I own both turbo and NA, my definite preference would be for the turbo.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I like both of those 2 examples. The red one has much more personality, but is a non-turbo. (matters to some). It is stated that the AC is inop though. Blue one didn't say.
Blue one is very clean, but is blue on blue. Clean, very clean in fact, just not much "contrast" between inside/outside.
Upper control arms on the blue one looked good, so maybe it has had a suspension rebuild, which at 190K would be very due.
Both appear worthy of a closer inspection......

**edit**
WAIT, being an '80 sedan, that one should have the evil servo. I vote for the blue one for that reason alone....

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Blue one has had some bad paint work, need to wonder why. I like the red one, but not much details. I'd try to get more pics and details. But, like was mentioned, has the evil servo.. (shudder). The third one I like, especially since I'm partial to black interiors. My vote is for the last one, then the first one.

http://new.photos.yahoo.com/sammyrad/photo/294928803774318480/9

Was the original color beige/yellow?

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http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7271/7...144c3fc1dc.jpg

More likely primer than anything else. Engine bay appears to be original, or somebody went through a lot of trouble. That would be doubtful looking at the painted wheel wells.
I didn't even see the 3rd link to the last car. It does have Cali emissions......

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I think you might do better by paying a little more for one of those other cars you saw at that dealership. Either that or look at the classifieds here. I wish I would have done that with my last purchase. Also, Boardmonger may just have the best possible car to buy in my opinion(euro 300D manual).

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

I think Boardmonger is going to be asking quite a lot, and I can't blame him based on what he has.
I would rule out #3. Overpriced for sure, and the pics are from September. (for sale a while?)
The blue one isn't horrible. We don't necessarily need perfection. (my cars will attest to that.... _)
Red one still looks the best, and with some $ outlayed once, the evil climate issue can be dealt with.
My '80 non-turbo wagon did just fine on the highway. Nothing like the 240D sounds/feels like over 65mph.....
("Captain, she's flying apart!" "Well fly her apart then!!") Anyone......???

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

The first one looks nice. Be careful and look at the paint/engine really well in person before you commit. It looks like it was washed right before the pictures.