Drove from LA to the tip of South America 1980 300SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

elbarto83 · #1 08-19-2007, 08:59 PM

Hello,

I wanted to let everyone know here that I have finished my drive to the tip of South America.

I started on 1 Jun 07 with a 1980 Mercedes Benz 300SD Turbo Diesel from Los Angeles, California. I shipped my car around the impassable Darien Gap from Panama to Colombia, and finished my 14000 mile trip to the southernmost city in the world: Ushuaia, Argentina, on 8 Aug 07. I flunked out of high school spanish some 6 years ago to play baseball, and have virtually no mechanical knowledge. Unfortunately, the car didn't make it all the way. I had to finish the last 400 miles with a rental car.

(700 miles away from Ushuaia)
'I was going about 70 miles an hour on some gravel road and the car didn't seem to mind it at all. In fact, I was soon pushing 85-90 on well paved road. I had to brake down to about 45 because a couple trucks were going that slow and there was oncoming traffic. Unfortunately, that's when all hell broke loose. As soon as I started accelerating again, I could hear very loud and distinct click click clicking of the motor. I slowed down but that didn't make it any better. I stopped along the side of the road, hoping whatever it is would just go away. But the car stalled and wouldn't start.'

I got rope-towed for 300 miles in 6 hours by an amazing Argentinian.

Over the course of the most harrowing 14000 miles I've ever driven, I had more than my fair share of car troubles. Exhaust hangers broke at least 8 times, rear CV boots cracked open and all 4 had to be replaced, front brake pads burned out and had to be found and replaced in Costa Rica, brake master cylinder was leaking and was replaced the part in Ecuador, accelerator was sticking and I had to tie the rod to a tube, turbo blew out after landing on the front end hard and was repaired in Peru, front windshield started cracking and I drilled a hole to stop it, all 4 windows malfunctioned and I had to open the door to pay toll several times, reverse transmission failed in Chile, and the car finally died in Argentina.

There were several occasions besides the car troubles listed above that made me think I would never make it. But I finally did, and I am now back in Los Angeles, CA. The 300SD will remain in Argentina indefinitely.

Along the way, I sought and received help from the members of this forum and I am very grateful for your time. However, I doubt that I will buy a Mercedes anytime soon again, as I have recently received my Bachelor's and have spent much of my savings on this trip. So this will be the last time I submit a new thread here.

You can, if you wish, follow my journey on the following link. It will also give you a better idea as to what will happen to the car.
http://www.drivetosouthamerica.com/PhotoJournal/index.html

Thank you everyone for your support. If you want, you can contact me via email:
elkim27 (at) yahoo.com

kerry · #2 08-19-2007, 09:26 PM

Congratulations, that's quite an accomplishment. I had thoughts of doing that trip myself when I was your age. Too bad the SD did not make it all the way. Did you figure out why it ran out of oil? Did an oil cooler line break?

MBeige · #3 08-20-2007, 02:54 AM

Beautiful trip and story. I'm sure if you go back you'll probably find your car still running.

TX76513 · #4 08-20-2007, 09:37 AM

Incredible -thanks for sharing a remarkable trip

ConnClark · #5 08-20-2007, 11:38 AM

the clicking from the engine is probably a cracked crank. Thats what did in my 79 300SD.

tobybul · #6 08-20-2007, 06:20 PM

Young Man, this is an impressive feat....you didn't say but I assume you were by yourself. I know a student from the University of Michigan who wants to do the same thing on a motorcycle... not sure if thats a safe thing to do but from the looks of your trip you didn't seem to have a ny problems with any of the locals wherever you went..

You might want to add some words about experience with the people...

Too bad about the Benz... I guess I could tell you that you shoulda done this or that with the Benz but the important thing is that you accomplished your plan and got back safe and in one piece.

Jim B. · #7 08-20-2007, 06:42 PM

But still made for a good book afterwards

Back in 1987, a couple of guys got a new GMC Sierra Diesel pickup, filled it with vacuum packed milkshakes, and drove it from Tierra del Fuego to Prudhoe Bay Alaska, and set all kinds of records.

The smell of diesel fumes and rancid strawberry milkshakes finally did get to them....

http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9D0CE3DE163FF933A25750C0A967958260

ImBroke · #8 08-20-2007, 06:51 PM

Congratulations on making it back from what would have been the experience of a lifetime for me.. Shame about the car, but like has been said, someone is probably already pulling the engine.