Got my first MB---a 300SDL!
 

Well I have been lurking at the forums for a while and looking online for a couple of months and finally found one of these in my area (Texas). I think (hope) I got a really sweet deal.

I broke the rules of course, by not getting a PPI and even agreeing to buy it after the first look and test drive in the dark but it is one sweet ride.

I don't have pics yet but it is a 1986 300SDL, "champagne" exterior, brown interior, 66k miles. He was asking $7,400. It was a "little old lady" car and has the smell to prove it;-). The interior is showroom and the outside is pretty close too.
The engine compartment is quite dirty (obviously hadn't been power-washed) but the mileage and oil/maintenance records checked out.

I can't wait to get home to check it out some more and read some more on the forums about what I may need to do as far as preventative maintenance. (Coolant, fluids, filters, etc. etc.). I'll probably also get it checked out at one of the independent shops mentioned here that have a very good rep.
The car was a pleasure to drive on the highway trip home.

I'm new to Mercedes and diesels but I already love this car!

post pictures asap.

66k miles? that does sound like one sweet SDL ,the same paint and interior as mine too .

X2 Since you've been lurking for a while, you know this is mandatory.. :D

Nice to have another member from the DFW area, and sounds like you really got a nice example. Like others have said, we will require pics! And hopefully we'll catch up with you at a local GTG.
Enjoy.

Congratulations!
 

Welcome to the MB Diesel (& SDL) fraternity.
You are in the same position I was 4 years ago - although I did get a PPI.
My car also hailed from Texas and after buying it I had a great 1750 mile drive home - although I did pick up a $300 speeding ticket in the DFW area:D. Darn car is so smooth at 85! If you ever need service or advice in Austin I can recommend Ben's Workshop. They did the PPI and a few items I wanted done before picking the car up and they were fantastic to deal with.

Sounds like you have a GREAT buy and with such low mileage you should be able to look forward to many happy years enjoying these great cars.:)

I'll second that - hope to see you at either a local GTG or a MBCA event. If you haven't joined MBCA yet, do - the local MB dealerships will typically give you a 20% discount.

Welcome aboard!
 

I am sure that you will love and enjoy your new car for a long time.

Just check all the rubber parts as they can dry out with age if the car is not used much.

Change both filters and get rid of the ALDA.

I put new Bilz HD shocks and 205/65HR-15 FUZION HRI tires on mine and it made a world of difference in the ride and handling of the car. It is much 'sportier' than land barge like now...

As was said before, join MBCA and participate in your local chapter. You will find lots of dieselheads and others who share the passion for MB.

Well I just got home and these pics are pretty bad. The lighting is all wrong and the exterior is pretty dirty. There was a small rain shower before I picked it up and it is really caked on in places (as you see in the hood shot).


http://s520.photobucket.com/albums/w323/JPJP22/

How about the hood liner?

And I was serious about a slight "old lady smell". Maybe some eucalyptus and "leather smell" leather conditioner. (I hate those taxicab air fresheners. They make me nauseous)

as I said, the pics are not great but let me know if you see anything funky with the car.

Nice Ride!
 

VERY nice.
The interior looks showroom perfect.
I have had good results with Zymol Leather Cleaner & Conditioner to remove grime and that should help the smell too. Best place to buy is Target (of all places). Vacumn everything and wipe down the vinyl with a weak dish-soap and water solution. If the carpets are holding the smell try some powder carpet deodoriser.
New Hood pads are available. Finding one in your condition is not at all unusual. Since your mileage is so low, I guess age is as bigger factor as use regarding the pad deterioration.

Nice find! The rear power seat is a rare option.

-Jason

Oh yeah! That does indeed look like a great find! I am glad you waited on this one! the NC deal was just too scetchy. from your verbal discussion with me, I was pretty confident you got a good deal too.
how did the temp deal on the trip? no issues?
now you have to go and see which vacuum pump is in there, and get the updated one if it has not been changed. but at only 67K it's not a huge worry. you never got back to me on the coolant... is it MB?
how's the steering wheel look on top? still good and grainy?
those seats are to die for! awesome.

Wow, amazing find! I wish my car looked like that! :eek: *drool

Thanks guys,

I'll definitely check out the MBCA.

The temp seemed to be about 85 most of the way and reached about 90 a couple of times. I guess that's not too bad?

He had a receipt for $600 of service done last week which included Recover, evacuate, recharge and leak test AC system. R134a. so I'm not sure what's going on there. It got "cold" at highway speeds but certainly not ice cold and nowhere nice enough for 30+ straight days of 100+F degrees here in Dallas. I suspect there could be some more $$$ AC expense in my future.

I plan to steal the Potenzas that I had put on my wife's Volvo. Think she will notice? I will think about bilsteins in the future as well.

Steering wheel is good and grainy. Not sure on coolant but it didn't look dark/green. I'll check out that vacuum pump.

Slick ride. I like it.

No one commented like that on my low mile 190D. Maybe I should get a 300SDL. ;)

My uncle has a 1991 350SD diesel with 76K miles. It was also a "old lady" car. MINT condition. I think he got it for $5400! I never find deals like that.