1985 300d fresh out of long term storage need advice
 

Howdy Folks,
I'm new to the whole mercedes, thinking about buying one, just found My first "great deal" ???

I'm looking at an 85 with 140,000 original iles on it. It's in the back yard of the owner. He does not thave the keys, so I dunno if it'll run or not.

It's missing the right rear tail light and needs a new right front fender and light assembly.
The body shows typical minor dents and dings, bout what you'd expect

The interior looks GREAT, really clean for the year and no
real obvious fade to speak of.

Now for the quandry, as it were, Whats it worth for parts or how much is it worth as it sits. How hard is it to get a key made for it? Do I take the VIN th the local key cutter and let him have at it or do i have to the the dealer ship shuffle?

I'm fighting the Flu like symptoms that every one here in Memphis seems to get this time of year, so I left the camera at home. I'll post some pics this evening and let y'all hash it over and out.

I gotta get here in a bit and talk to a man about Him starting a buiz building guitars here in "Elvisville"

Thanks for all the help in advance and pardon the lack of knowledge on My part.... Gotta start some where!:confused:
Chuck

How much does the seller want? Does he have a title?

I've seen running cars with a good body and decent interior can go as high as $7,000. Or I should say, priced that high, don't know how much they actually sold for. I know of a 4 spd 240D with 220k+ and shiny paint, but some rust on the rear wheel arches going for $3500.

As far as the parts, check out the various parts sites. If you're moderately mechanically inclined, changing the taillight assembly isn't too big a deal. Changing the ignition lock cylinder probably isn't too bad either, especially for a mechanic. Changing the oil and all the filters is pretty simple.

you can get new keys from the dealership if you have your VIN and title IIRC

Offer him a few hundred bucks for it. The dealer will order you a key with your VIN, registration and ID. Cost: $25 or so.

300D newby questions
 

Hey,
Thanks for the quick reply!
I am some what mechanicly "Reclined" but know enough tho chang out the tail light, oil & filters etc... I'm pretty sure I can change out the lock mechanisim. First go the KFC and get a bucket of chicken, sacrifice it the the tool gods and go from there. Just kidding of course, I've got several friends who turn wrenches for a living and have driven more than my fair share of beaters. So the simple stuff shouldn't be a stretch.
What I'm wondering about, is a "Dry" start on the engine, Bad fuel, algie in the tank and a varity of other issues associated with long tem storage. I know nothing about Diesels so I'm doing some mental gymnastics over not toasting it right off the bat! :eek:

He's wanting to get rid of it pretty quickly so I think $400 might get it.

$25 for the keys a'int so bad. He does have the title etc...

I've heard the scrap yards want about fifty for the tail light. The fender can be gotten for a bit more I'm sure.,

Oh Yeah,
I does not have much visiable rust. Minor bit around the jack points but not rusted through.( I think)

$50? woooo I'd like to be in that business. Mine charges $17.

$17 for the tail light ass....
EGads! Thats sounds like a deal to Me! :D

What about the start up situation on an engine thats not been run in years?
Take off the valve cover and douse it with oil?
Can I prime and pump it up some how or a nuther?

Take out the injectors and pour a small amount of motor oil in the cylinder, so it lubricates and seals the rings. Im not sure though if youll have to replace the heat shields though for the injectors, maybe maybe not someone here will say. You can see if the car runs even if you dont have a key, as long as you can pop the hood. Its real easy to hotwire these cars

When you say small amount, how small? There's not a lot of CCs in the compression chamber in these engines, so too much could cause some problems.

IIRC, the heat shield/crush washers need to be replaced every time an injector is removed.

How long has the car been sitting?

Try MMO instead of oil and let it sit for a few days. 600CC is plenty of room for a teaspoons worth. The idea is to lube up the rings a bit first, you may want to leave the injectors out and hand crank it a few times.

Not fer sure how long it's been sitting, at least 3 years (May Be)
The way i understand it, the owner got the car in a two for one Benz deal at an estate sale. The Estate folks didn't have the keys and couldn't get it going, so it was hauled off then hauled again.
I don't think the current owner has much mechacanel (SP) ability. He's a photographer by trade and from what I've heard through the grape vine, a VERY good one at that. I've got some 50's era danish modern, retro... stuff I may be able to swap him for DA-benz. Nice guy though!
You think MMM will do the trick on the rings? No Lucas or some sort of super synthentic Goo?

How bout the hot wire thing how is it done?

Try touching these two leads, a pair of pliers will work. If it starts, the steering will still be locked, so you can't drive it until you get keys.
A black box located just in front of the battery.