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  #1  
Old 01-23-2008, 05:44 PM
zeke's Avatar
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Looking at a few cars this weekend - advice?

I am looking at a 1985, a 1984, and a 1981 300Dt.

My experience to date has been with the simple elegance of the 240D (4-speed), so while everything under the hood and inside the car looks familiar, it is also a little bit strange.

What should I look for when I size these cars up?

I am especially interested in hearing from people with a 240D and a 300Dt.

A/C issues, transmission issues, power features?, places where things break that are easily overlooked (especially by someone without a turbo or auto transmission)?

Thanks y'all!


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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed


Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT
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  #2  
Old 01-23-2008, 05:53 PM
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For starters, an '81 300D should be N/A if it has the original engine. Nothing wrong with someone swapping a turbo engine in, but you want to make sure it's been done right.

If a turbo 300D is running right, it should feel like a rocket compared to a 240D. I haven't timed a 0-60 lately, but I think mine does it in around 13 seconds. If the car doesn't feel fast, but isn't smoking, it's probably just a dirty ALDA, which is easily fixed.

The transmission shifting should be firm but not harsh. The transmission should shift a little later than most American autos are calibrated under part throttle, but it shouldn't be running to the governor at half pedal either. Improper shifting is very often caused by vacuum problems, which aren't terribly expensive, but can be time-consuming. The fluid should be bright red. If it isn't, it's probably been in there too long.

The power windows fail a lot. Check all four. If one or more don't work, repairs could run anywhere from a fuse replacement to a new motor and/or regulator.

I've never experienced working AC on a W123, so someone else will have to tackle that.

Most other things will be the same as on the 240 that you're used to.
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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
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  #3  
Old 01-23-2008, 06:01 PM
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I forgot:

Tachometers frequently quit, usually from the tach amp, or so I'm told. Mine worked once in a while until I heard about the cigarette butt fix, and now it works about half the time. I'll chase it some more later.

Cruise control-mine's never worked and I understand they can be difficult and expensive to repair.

The HVAC in these cars is an automated variety unlike what the 240D has. There's a part on the firewall called the monovalve that sometimes craps out and is a $200 part (or you can throw in a ball valve from your local hardware store instead). The control apparatus for the HVAC sometimes takes a dive and is said to be hard to fix "correctly." Mine has been performing adequately thus far so I haven't had to dive into it. One interesting note is that the blower runs on high whenever the defroster is on.
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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
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  #4  
Old 01-23-2008, 07:42 PM
toomany MBZ's Avatar
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The tachs in the '84 and '85 do not fail anywhere near as often as the earlier ones, the amp under hood has been bypassed.
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  #5  
Old 01-23-2008, 07:48 PM
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And the 84's and 85's came with something called a trap oxidizer. It had something to do with emissions, but didn't work right. MB has/had a standing recall on those. If the ones you look at still have the trap ox (on right side of engine bay, looks sort of like a football or so I'm told), you may have turbo or other engine damage, but MB might give you a free new turbo if they're still doing that recall.

Also, the '85 came with a 2.88 rear end instead of the 3.07 that the 82-84 cars got. Mileage on the highway will be better and they say the difference in acceleration is negligible.
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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.
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  #6  
Old 01-23-2008, 08:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skippy View Post
And the 84's and 85's came with something called a trap oxidizer..
cali cars only...
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  #7  
Old 01-23-2008, 09:03 PM
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thanks everyone!

I knew you guys would be able to help! the one I am most interested in doesnt have the trap oxidizer, but it also doesn't have the little black box on top of the valve cover - isn't that where the ALDA goes? (asked out of ignorance because I don't have ALDA or EGR)
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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed


Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT
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  #8  
Old 01-23-2008, 09:13 PM
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the ALDA is the square box on the Injection Pump.
EGR is on the Intake Manifold.

Charlie
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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works
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  #9  
Old 01-24-2008, 06:04 AM
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The first pic is of the alda, second, is of the SD that has the black box missing. That is good!
Attached Thumbnails
Looking at a few cars this weekend - advice?-circled-alda.jpg   Looking at a few cars this weekend - advice?-white-one-036.jpg  
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83 SD

84 CD
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  #10  
Old 01-24-2008, 08:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by charmalu View Post
the ALDA is the square box on the Injection Pump.
EGR is on the Intake Manifold.

Charlie

The black box is the controller for the EGR. You can disconnect it and bypass the vacuum lines (remove the 'Y' connectors and replace with single connectors) with no issues.
You can also block off the EGR valve. Remove the valve and stick a quarter in the hole. It fits perfectly and when you put the valve back on looks stock
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  #11  
Old 01-24-2008, 08:50 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MTUpower View Post
There were a few 81's with a turbo from the factory.
SD, TD and CD, IIRC.

Tom W
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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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  #12  
Old 01-25-2008, 05:37 PM
zeke's Avatar
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Thanks for all the advice so far - it's been a great help. Indeed, the 81 is a non-turbo - the seller may be a curbstoner and carefully set up the rear shot to crop the right side of the trunk. (He didn't say it was turbo though, to his credit).

So, I have it narrowed down to a 85Dt versus a 85TD. Both have similar milage (~260k). The Dt is immaculate, obviously well-maintained by the owner. The TD - well, it's a bit rough - will need interior work (complete overhaul?) and may have SLS issues. The asking price for the Dt is 2x the asking price for the TD. The TD is more in our price range.


This will be a family touring car (and for my wife to kick around town <10 miles/week). The wagon seems so much more desirable for this purpose (and in general), but I gotta say I the Dt is really in great shape.

Further thoughts on the comparison between these two cars?
__________________

Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed


Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT
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  #13  
Old 01-25-2008, 06:36 PM
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The wagon seems more practical for you planned use, but yikes. The guy using the word OVERHAUL is a red flag regarding his knowledge of what is wrong with the car. It may also be a good thing; perhaps a small problem (ex, vacuum leak, valve adj) that can easily be addressed, and you've got a good deal. You never know until you look at it.

Wagons are so versitile; so many uses. Haul the same amount of people as an Escalade, fold flat cargo area. Perfect for what you need it for.

How much are they, if I may ask?
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  #14  
Old 01-25-2008, 06:57 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by t walgamuth View Post
SD, TD and CD, IIRC.

Tom W
Just the SD and TD.
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  #15  
Old 01-25-2008, 09:54 PM
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According to my "Illustrated buyers guide for Mercedes Benz", second edition, page 175 the cd had the turbo starting in '81.

I seem to remember reading a road test back when it was new too. The coupe traditionally often gets new features a year ahead of the sedan.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.
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