Now looking at 83 300D,,, Opinions? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

argus445 · #16 11-21-2007, 06:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoysVeggy

I was looking at a 75 300D, but have come across an 83 300D locally. I have not yet looked at the car, but will be soon.

-1983 300D
-291K miles
-Cold AC
-Good paint, roughly 2-3 years old
-No rust
-Few Cracks on dash
-Laminate by shifter is coming apart a bit
-The guy is a Continental Airlines pilot that bought a house and does not have time.
-He is the 3rd owner, but the 2nd owner had the car for 18 years
-Front tires might need replacing, rear tires are fine
-He has already installed a brand new Veggy kit
-No vacuum problems
-Asking price $3500

What is everyone's initial opinion on this deal compared to the 75 300D I was looking at? The one good thing I noticed is that the 83 is obviously much newer and has a turbo. Thanks again for reading and helping me out!

sounds bout right i'm asking 3200 for my 82 with 215K it doesn't have as many problems as that one tho but it doesn't have a veggy kit

RoysVeggy · #17 11-21-2007, 08:21 AM

Lots of good feedback. I am now thinking twice about the car, because many of you guys have made valid points. I am supposed to go see the car this coming Monday, so instead of looking at the car and maybe buying it, I will look at it and take some pictures. Once I get the pictures, I will post them on here to get some more opinions. Thanks again!

I am scheduled to still go look at the 75 300D today. Does everything still think thats a good idea? It is roughly 100 miles away.

RoysVeggy · #18 11-21-2007, 09:27 AM

I just contacted a company that deals with auto parts and he mentioned he could get a '81 transmission from a 300D with 100k miles for only $800 shipped. The more and more I think about it, it seems that I should just wait and find something with less miles.

John Schroader · #19 11-21-2007, 09:46 AM

My 2cents worth. I also have an '83 300D. Had 191K miles when I bought it. The PO loved working on old MBs and had replaced lots of things that he said weren't worn out but he wanted the assurance of knowing they were brand new. Radiator, front end, brakes, etc. I paid $3K and feel that it was money well spent. As for the veggie kit, I think that if it was properly installed and the PO used oil with no water in it, then that's a big plus. I read lots of woes and worries from this forum about WVO, lots of them from very knowlegable fellows (knowlegable about MBs, not WVO) but I consider that a more open mind to alternative fuels might be gild on the lily for these guys. These old MBs are perfect for running on alternative fuels. I say this not because I am anywhere near an MB expert, but because I have run bio for 10K miles in this car and have done lots and lots of research about WVO. I choose bio over WVO because I mostly make short trips and bio is more advantageous. On the rare occassions that I have run ULS diesel, the engine noises bothered me (I'm accustomed to a quiet, well lubricated system). Not to mention that bio or WVO pollutes a lot less and doesn't cost anywhere near as much to operate. Again, these old engines are ideal for this type of fuel. Enough said. Whichever car you buy, I think you will love driving an old MB.

Hatterasguy · #20 11-21-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoysVeggy

I just contacted a company that deals with auto parts and he mentioned he could get a '81 transmission from a 300D with 100k miles for only $800 shipped. The more and more I think about it, it seems that I should just wait and find something with less miles.

That's not a deal you can order a rebuilt trans for $400 more.

#21 11-21-2007, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Schroader

On the rare occassions that I have run ULS diesel, the engine noises bothered me (I'm accustomed to a quiet, well lubricated system).

Not to start the WBO debate again, you need to understand that the engine noise you are hearing has nothing to due with lubrication. The noise difference has to due with the combustion characteristics of the fuel. Diesel fuel burns more quickly than WVO/BD which is similar to having the IP timing more advanced. The quiet running WVO/BD is similar to running on diesel with the timing retarded too far. The noise you hear with diesel fuel is normal. If these engines were actually designed to run on WVO/BD, the IP timing spec would probably be different.

John Schroader · #22 11-21-2007, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

Not to start the WBO debate again, you need to understand that the engine noise you are hearing has nothing to due with lubrication. The noise difference has to due with the combustion characteristics of the fuel. Diesel fuel burns more quickly than WVO/BD which is similar to having the IP timing more advanced. The quiet running WVO/BD is similar to running on diesel with the timing retarded too far. The noise you hear with diesel fuel is normal. If these engines were actually designed to run on WVO/BD, the IP timing spec would probably be different.

I stand corrected. As I stated, most of the guys who post here know way more about MBs (and autos in general) than I do. But --- I have read also that running on bio / WVO decreases fuel milage. I have checked it several times and, with my MB and ULS diesel, I consistently get better milage with my home brew. Less rattle and clatter and better fuel economy. To my uneducated mind, that seemed better.

RoysVeggy · #23 11-21-2007, 02:29 PM

I found another car located roughly 130 miles from me. I spoke with the guy once and received the following info:

1982 Diesel Mercedes 240D
4 Door Asking $ 2400.00
142,884 miles

If I was able to pick this car up for $1500, would this be a good deal?

siral3x · #24 11-21-2007, 02:48 PM

I paid 1k for my 85 300DT with 197k miles. The car has no rust and came originaly from North Carolina. After 3 months of working on the thing and almost giving up I got it runing RIGHT like I wanted to. I completed almost full maintainance abt $500 in parts and it's runing like new.
291K miles is ok if you got proof of maintainance for the car. I didn't! At 200k this upcoming summer I gotta put a new timing chain, new vaccum pump, have my IP timing corrected again, and get some ball joints going.
If you maintain the car like the book says I have seen these NON Turbo running for well over 1million KM/600k miles+!

siral3x · #25 11-21-2007, 02:50 PM

If that 82 240D is a manual non turbo you gotta be crazy not to buy it for those low miles! As long as the car runs decent it's a steal!

fdanielson · #26 11-21-2007, 03:18 PM

If you're not going to buy the 240D let me know. I'm keeping an eye out for a car for my son and a 240D is perfect (heavy, slow, reliable, good gas mileage). 130 miles from you should be not too far from Tampa.

Hatterasguy · #27 11-21-2007, 04:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RoysVeggy

I found another car located roughly 130 miles from me. I spoke with the guy once and received the following info:

1982 Diesel Mercedes 240D
4 Door Asking $ 2400.00
142,884 miles

If I was able to pick this car up for $1500, would this be a good deal?

If its in good shape thats a good deal.

RoysVeggy · #28 11-21-2007, 04:58 PM

fdanielson, I will definitely let you know if I do not. I will keep you updated!

RoysVeggy · #29 11-23-2007, 08:53 PM

I found another 300D, one that needs to be fixed up, but seems to be decent enough to work on. What is everyone's opinion on this car vs. the 240D? Thanks in advance!

Details:

-83 300D
-Asking $1000, but I was hoping to offer $700
-Smokes a little on startup bc seller says #1 Injector is messed up
-AC works, but has a leak by switch. He states he has new switch
-178K miles
-Obvious rust as you can see from pictures. Trunk is fairly messed up, will most likely have to be replaced.

Hatterasguy · #30 11-23-2007, 10:07 PM

Looks about as rusty as my old beater. Get it up on a lift and bet you find a bunch of soft spots.

It would be a good car to run as a beater for a couple of years then when something big breaks junk it.