I'm looking at what seems like a great deal on a well-maintained '87 300TD, 220,000 miles. It's an automatic, owner says he gets 25 mpg highway. Is that true for all automatics? I thought they got closer to 30 hwy.

Also, how do the automatics hold up? I tow a light trailer a lot, either a tent trailer (1200 lbs) or utility, (400 to occasionally 2000, slowly).

He's had it well maintained by a shop apparently highly recommended on this site, everything works, no rust, not asking a crazy high price.

I'm ready to get on a plane later this week and drive this home, any advice is welcome. I tried searching, and like tdiclub.com, where I know my way around, it's taking a bit of work to find specific answers, but I was able to narrow my search to 1986 and later thanks to some great info around here.

'87 is the only year for the T124 diesel in the US, and the only year for the 603 turbo-diesel in the wagon. Good little wagon indeed.

Should pull the trailer just fine. The automatics do fail occasionally, but good fluid and filter should keep it healthy.

25mpg is low for highway, should get upper 20s to 30 pretty easily, a little more if you baby it and use the best oils and fuels. Summer diesel has more punch than winter.

There is a pre-purchase on this site, look here: Fast navigation Do It Yourself Links for a 124 pre-purchase inspection list, I believe this is where it is.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

My 87 gets just over 30 on the highway if driven gently. As far as trannys, mine has 335K on the original. It would be good if it has had the head replaced, the originals tended to crack if overheated.

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Muleears
'07 E320 Bluetec 133K my DD
'04 Jaguar XJ8 VDP, 34K
'10 Hyundai Accent 60K Grocery Getter
'02 VW Golf soon to be on the road again
'97 E300 Diesel Son's DD
'61 VERY tolerant wife

Hampton Roads, VA USA

Gone but not forgotten:
'67 250S 95K
'86 300SDL
'87 300D Turbo, 364K! R.I.P.
'98 E300 Turbodiesel, 213K
'02 S420, 164K
'01 Prius 138K

Thanks for the help. That's 25 hwy on astm biodiesel, seems about right. I'm aware of the head problem, still on all original engine, price reflects that. I'll check the buyer's guide, thanks.

I'm looking at an excellent shape no rust straight and clean 87 300d with 172,000 for 3,600$. What is this thing worth?
-jon

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1983 300SD
1983 300GD

You may want to read this thread too.

I found something new to worry about today.

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

That's about average money for a straight '87 sedan with no issues. You can buy them cheaper with more miles and rust, but straight ones with under 200k miles are pretty hard to find. If it has leather (fairly rare) and good colors it could be worth more, if the miles are documented and service records are available I'd jump on it for that. In this group, a head casting above 14 makes it more desirable also.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Get the compression numbers and you have the full story on the engine, head, etc.

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Dionysius

If its in good shape and the price is right go for it. Thats not a lot of miles for one of those.

The trans are pretty cheap to rebuild, and if its original at that mileage figure on doing it at some point.

I wouldn't worry one bit about the head. Insist that its stone cold when you go to look at it, and see if the cooling system is under pressure. If not the head is probably fine, don't overheat it and it will last until the engine needs a rebuild.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
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[quote=DieselOx;1851712]I'm looking at what seems like a great deal on a well-maintained '87 300TD, 220,000 miles. It's an automatic, owner says he gets 25 mpg highway. Is that true for all automatics? I thought they got closer to 30 hwy.

Also, how do the automatics hold up? I tow a light trailer a lot, either a tent trailer (1200 lbs) or utility, (400 to occasionally 2000, slowly).

quote]


In the 13 years we owned a 300TDT, the mileage ranged from 24 in town to 29 point something on the road.

No more, no less......

Trans-wise, our next door neighbor owns the car now (along with our ex-400E) and he is at 270K miles with the original tranny. Frequent fluid and filter changes along with careful use will extend the life....

Jim

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14 E250 BlueTEC black. 45k miles
95 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 66k miles
94 E320 Cabriolet Emerald green 152k miles
85 300TD 4 spd man, euro bumpers and lights, 15" Pentas dark blue 274k miles