I have a line on a super cheap, yet supposidly very, very nice MB from an estate sale. I'll see if I can get my hands on it. Cheap as in $200.

I know the 617 so no surprises their, but I'm not familer with the car itself. Its a what? W115?

Where does it rust? Is this the one with the PITA oil filter?

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Same places to look as the w123 ie floor pans, structural parts. A good through inspection of the undercarriage and other parts of the car is in order. I would bring hammer or use hand and hit the metal. If it has sound like knocking on a door then its good medal but if its not then you have rotted metal. Yeah its a w115.

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1986 300SDL, 211K,Dealership serviced its whole life
1991 190E 2.6(120k)
1983 300D(300k)
1977 300D(211k)

It seems that I read about a prolonged Steelworker strike in Germany sometime around '76 or '77.......and supposedly the folks at MB had to seek steel from lesser sources.......thus cars built during that time had a greater tendency to rust......I have a '77 240D parts car, and it is rusted thru in some odd (in middle of fender / 1/4 panel) places compared to the '85 300D.

SB

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG

Many will not agree, of course.

It is slower but a bit more nimble in the handling department. Plus, it has that classic MB look with the upright grille, etc.

Like you stated, the NA OM617 is a longterm workhorse but a little underpowered in my opinion. Not much chance of a speeding citation, though.

Look for rust under the carpets. I haven't seen as much rocker panel rust on W115s as w123s. Maybe luck? The windshield seals fail over thime and allow water into the front floorpans. This can go unnoticed for decades causing sometimes severe rust in that area.

Under the battery tray is a common spot for rust but since it's up front in the engine compartment is tends not to compromise the water tightness of the cabin thankfully. A new battery tray, some elbow grease, and a can of POR15 will probably do the trick if there is any.

The trunk seals are also suspect after this many years. Pull up the covering and check the wells on either side as well.

Either way, a decent looking, good running w115 300D for $200 would find itself in my garage in a hurry....errr, as fast as it could physically carry me there anyway.

edit: Yes, this beast will have the evil oil filter. It's really not that bad but be prepared to get oily when you do an oil change.

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Best Regards,
Sam

'76 280 Time Capsule
'00 S430 Long Trips
'91 190E Seeing how far it will go. 366k
'04 American Eagle Motorcoach

And yes, the oil filter is indeed a "rite of passage" on this model.

Steelworker's strike was in 79 according to earlier posts on this board.

Correction: 1978 according to my google search with the strike resolved in 1979.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

What do you need know about a 76 300D.........

It's gonna cost you money. The cheaper it is, the more it
will cost. That said.........PICS PLEASE.

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

Well I don't know much yet,(other than its a blue 1976 MB, that is supposidly a 300D) my uncles father in law does estate sales, and he came accross this car. I think its sitting in a garage down in Westport or Greenwich, ie very wealthy now dead PO, probably bought it new. The kids naturaly couldn't care less and just want it gone for scrap value.

If its nice I'll go pick it up with a trailer, no idea when it was last run.

I just need a winter/work car to save the SDL, so this might fill the bill quite nicely. I remember looking at Kyles at the GTG's and they are nice cars.

If the oil filter is as bad as I have been told, this will be the first car that I pay someone to change the oil on.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

That'd have to be a dealer or a MB specific shop then, I doubt many know how to do it.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Whaaaaaaaaat, you would subject a nice 115 to a New England winter

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

Yep, thems the breaks, I'll wash it.

If its that nice I won't, but I doubt it is.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I'll show them, I know a shop that will do it for $30.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

When are you going to see it?

I know you're not much of a shutterbug with the SDL, but pictures would be nice.

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1985 500SL Euro w/ AMG bits 130k
1984 300SD Turbodiesel 192k
1980 240D Stick China 188k
2001 CLK55 AMG 101k
2007 S600 Biturbo 149k Overheated Project, IT'S ALIVE!!!

Well I own a digital camra now so thats a big plus, I'll try to remember to bring it if I go take a look.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Congrats, Hattie. Although that's not a very "happening" car for a single young man like yourself, send it north.

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1980 300TD-China Blue/Blue MBTex-2nd Owner, 107K (Alt Blau) OBK #15
'06 Chevy Tahoe Z71 (for the wife & 4 kids, current mule) '03 Honda Odyssey (son #1's ride, reluctantly) '99 GMC Suburban (255K+ miles, semi-retired mule) 21' SeaRay Seville (summer escape pod)