About mid '86 and after MB began galvanizing bare bodies before priming and painting. My 300 was in PA and NOVA for 19 years and had VERY little rust, most of it cut out and patched with sheet metal. (Still have two 50 cent piece sized places to do.)

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1987 300D (230,000 mi on a #14 head-watching the temp gauge and keeping the ghost in the machine)
Raleigh NC - Home of deep fried sushi!

I managed to go out and take a look.

Exterior had weird paint job. Ran good, good acceleration, could barely feel it shift. This was a southern car up to this point, they just moved. No rust that I could find. A/C works. Looked like a new IP.

Leaks some oil from the front somewhere... there was a coating of oil on the oil pan and on a 1" rod that runs along the front underneath (some front end component that I am not familiar with?). The owner says they don't add oil between changes.

I noticed a click or a clunk from one of the front wheels when I began to back out of the parking space, and then again when initially pulling forward.

The tires were totally worn down bald on the insides, and it shook at around 65mph and pulled to the right noticeably at 35mph. I am curious to hear if there could be anything more to this than just needing an alignment?

The owner is looking to get rid of it fast and dropped the price to $2150 including a new set of unmounted tires.

I am thinking that with what it needs, it is still a good deal, but not sure if I want to start sinking money into another car, because it probably needs some little things.

I'd be curious to hear anyone's opinions on the things I noted if you are so inclined.

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Just bought my 1st MB and it is a 1987 300DT. LOVE IT!! Read up on everything you can. I found out the #14 heads are real sensitive to temp. so watch out , don't let it overheat, and let it warm little on cold mornings. Mine has 151,400 miles on it.

As you are aware it needs some front end work. If the worn tires were worn evenly it might not need much. Best bet would be to get it up in the air at a shop and check everything over to get some perspective.
Guessing how much the car needs is not a good ideal. There is nothing wrong with a competent pre purchase inspection. In fact it is just a sensible thing to know what you are getting into.

I decided I am not going to go for it... The wife isn't into it and it would be her car... If anyone in Wisconsin is interested, here is a CL ad for the car:

http://madison.craigslist.org/car/438527652.html

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Regardless of where you are standing, a car has only one right side. He means right.

Ah, but does a car have a right hand side? Does a car have hands??? Is that how these cars just reach out and grab us???

Think about it...

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Sorry, I didn't notice this before. I went and looked already... I am passing for various reasons, but I think it will make a good deal for someone.

I love the Rhinelander area, by the way. My grandparents used to live on Boom lake and I have very good childhood memories of that place. Thanks for your advice and the offer to help.

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The informed decision is the big thing.

There will always be another that comes along!