At 200k the tank is showing her age; the last 6k on the highway have left me with a list as long as my arm. I very much like the SD, this is my 4th, but the lack of lumbar support is killing my back.
How much effort is justified ?
Or how much do I want to spend ?

Major items:
frozen compressor w/R134a
leaking heater core
rear suspension problem causing tire cupping
totally failed ign lock (turn on w/screwdriver and cycle the plugs, hop out and jump the starter solenoid at the connection panel - not fun anymore)

Despite having bought a new core and rear shocks (not yet installed), fixing the above problems will cost more than the SD is worth - and the list continues.

Minor items:
erratic cruse control
so many oil leaks the back of the trunk is oily (yet only ~1/2qt/1k)
po repair to rear driver's side is losing the 1/4" thick bondo, bleeding rust now
vacuum leak in one of the doors
inop rear passenger window

I buy these cars as cheap daily beaters but despite having spent ~$4k in the last 15k mi the car is now a POS.

Did I mention that at 75mph one better like the sound of that engine, the radio will not cover it - an Alpine 10.

As I doubt I will ever encounter a w126 with the orthopedic seat, I guess I need to look for a new ride. Is Jeep ever going to put a diesel in the Wrangler/Rubicon ?

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Bill

'82 300SD 195K
'84 300SD 199K

Thats nothing, even my car has a list like that.

If you don't want to have a fix it list buy a new Honda.

You will spend $20k-$30k to make one of these old cars as trouble free as a new Honda.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I have read your thread a few times trying to understand if you want us to talk you into it or out of it. You have one line written that I believe is the root of your problems.

I buy these cars as cheap daily beaters

Remember - there is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes.

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

So true, I started buying SDs in Houston for $3k w/100k mi and have had a love/hate 'relationship' due to the uncomfortable seat back support (always rebuilt the seat bottoms). Looking back it is clear that the milage from 100k to 150k is cheaper than from 150k to 200k (duh), I was lulled onto thinking that no problem = OK.

Taking H's $20k figure, yes the SD is a fine ride and would be reliable; but I cannot imagine spending that and still complain about the damned seat.

Compounding the tank's difficulties, I now live in Guerneville CA and have no garage or even pavement where to work. Anyone have an indy worth recommending around Santa Rosa or Sebastopol?

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Bill

'82 300SD 195K
'84 300SD 199K

Get the seats out of a '89-'91 car. HUGE difference. Best seats I have ever experienced.

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

My 82 126 has the orthopedic seats with the "squeeze bulb" thing - very nice

__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

I take it the '82 is a non-electrical solution ? Is it a modification/add on to a std seat back, or a unique entire seat back ?

With a good seat I can approach this differently.

fg2
What is involved with a changeout ? Are you referring to the std seat or the orthopedic one ?

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Bill

'82 300SD 195K
'84 300SD 199K

Yes non electrical - its was an MB option. I don't have my build data with me to get you the part #

__________________
BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Maybe. I'm probably approaching those kinds of numbers (I'm afraid to add it all up) and I don't believe there is any such thing as a "trouble free" 25 year old vehicle. You can certainly make them reliable (I drive mine all over the country without worrying about getting stuck), but there will always be a couple/few little things that need attention. Unfortunately, each of those "little things" usually costs $500. You really don't want to drive/own these things if tinkering with them stops being fun. Think of it as a hobby that also provides transportation. If the seat is a major concern, find a good upholstery shop and have them create a lumbar support for you.

If you just want cheap transportation, go buy the best $5000 honda you can find.

20K-30K? How could a car cost that much to keep up? Well, besides a bentley? Or an SLR?

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

LOL, that's 40 to 60 little $500 nits, or (more likely) one engine/tranny replacement plus 20 to 40 $500 nits.

He's exaggerating slightly, but not much. Total parts in his W126 is probably over $12K and he needs to get it painted.......so, the $20K number is reasonable.

I tend to run mine a bit leaner...........the two older vehicles have about $5K apiece in parts. The SD has run 50K miles in 5 years and the SDL has run 35K miles in 3 years. However, he has considerably more new parts under the hood.

The oil cooler hoses are $400 or more of I recall? I'll never buy one, that's fer sure.

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85 300D turbo pristine w 157k when purchased 161K now
83 300 D turbo 297K runs great. SOLD!
83 240D 4 spd manual- parted out then junked

I don't know where you're looking that they're that price but that's nuts. I've seen them in the $55 range at various part houses on the net.

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Seth

1984 300D 225K
1985 300D Donor body
1985 300D Turbo 165K. Totaled. Donor Engine. It runs!!!
1980 300SD 311K My New Baby.
1979 BMW 633csi 62K+++? Dead odo

"frozen compressor w/R134a"

R134a = big mistake - I've heard with the 126 and 123 series (and possibly others) its best just to keep it basic and stock, with the R12 setup. Prices are coming down on R12 anyway since fewer people are using it. Just my .02

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Gil

2004 ML350
1984 300CD; Ivory (sold)