newbie here, may be getting an '81 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

USSEnterprise · #1 01-02-2008, 07:47 PM

Hi everyone.
I'm Joe, from New Jersey, and I just spotted a 1981 300D for sale nearby. I spoke to the owner and looked at the car. It has 120k miles, which, from what I understand, is not much for these cars. He spoke of two issues, one involving the trans shifting too soon, and the other involving the AC not working. He said they are likely both related to vacuum problems. Can anyone enlighten me on these? Are they common to these cars. He wants $1500 for the car, which I see as a really good deal, considering the reliability and fuel economy they get. What's everyone elses opinions here?

Thanks
Joe

Biodiesel300TD · #2 01-02-2008, 08:05 PM

Welcome to the forum.

Sounds like a good deal, as long at the body is straight and has no rust. AC not working could be several things. The compressor could be siezed, the climate control unit could be acting up, or the vac system may not be opening the vents properly, amongst a few other things. None of which are too difficult to deal with. As for early shifting, I believe the early 300Ds have a adjustment on the transmission for shift timing. The later models have something called a bowden cable which controls shift points, but the early ones don't. You may just need to check the trans. fluid and possibly to a fluid and filter change.

blkntancj · #3 01-02-2008, 11:27 PM

The shifting issue is probably vacuum related, my '81 did about the same thing until I replaced the vacuum dashpot for the trans. Made a world of difference. As stated above the A/C issue could be a number of things including vacuum issues (ie leaks). $1500 is a good deal if the body is sound.

vstech · #4 01-02-2008, 11:59 PM

do a search here if you are not totally familiar with these cars. rust is a major pain, and there are a LOT of places to look for it. the window trim is very succeptable to cracking and lack of seal causes leaks and rust and tons of problems... really, look the car over really really really well. 1500 is a fair deal for that year a car IF it's in really good shape, if it has a lot of rust, it's 1500 toward a 5000.00 car that you will be needing to spend. a $5000 MB is really a good deal, but yours may take a LOT longer to drive in that condition. really, look it over well have it inspected if you don't know where to look.
how long have you been looking for a Diesel MB? are you sure you want a non turbo model? I have both, I gotta say, I like the turbo models much better...