Well, I went and looked at a fairly local (about 50 miles away) 1985 300TD sedan this evening. Unfortunately, it was further away than I had anticipated and it was well past dusk when I got there and did not get too look at it too well. The car was not as nice as I had imagined, because it said the interior was near mint and the car was near perfect, but some folks of perfect are different than others.

Its like a light yellow color. 237K miles. Interior was good, but the driver seat had weak and lop-sided springs. Seemed to run really well - engine was smooth, transmission shifted like silk, not harsh, but not slipping either. Shifts were felt and quick, but not neck snapping like some 300D I have driven. Floors were solid and looked like new under the carpets, but there was a rust spot bubbling on the RF fender and a few random spots around the LR fender well. I have no idea about the trunk or undercarriage - it was dark, but the floors looked good from inside the car, so surely they were OK. The suspension/steering was making some (well, several) creaks and groans from the front suspension and rattles and squeaks from the rear suspension over bumpy terrain.

He wants $2000 FIRM

I was really wanting a larger MB, but this one was large enough I think, but not sure if I want to go that much on it. The car was in an extremely rural area, it was dark and we did not get to drive it far, but it seemed OK. I could hear the turbo whistling a little, which I assume was normal. We were very unfamiliar with the area.

Not sure if I want to reconsider this car, or hold out for a larger 300SD or 300SDL, which I really want.

Personally, I would hold out, unless you could talk him down. You need to look in the daylight, and check the vacuum, A/C, windows, engine-blow by, etc.

Front end repairs are not cheap in the shop...see if you can get a PPI, and show the guy an estimate for repairs. You may get a good deal, then fix it yourself and resell it.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Yikes, no way! Everything you write points to trouble. Think about it and see it in the light of day if you decide you want a wagon over the yacht

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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

That 85 will have the 2.88 rear end...but still not worth the money.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

Thanks guys... thats all I needed to know!

I found a local 300SDL for $3100, but it has 327K miles, but stated to be in excellent mechanical conditions.

327K is just broken in! Lots of life left in that one. Only thing I would check, would be the timming chain for excessive play. If that engine has any achillies heal.. it is the chain.

I would go take another look at the rust. $2k seems fair if the AC works. Check to see if the car doors lock and unlock as well...

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

And the SLS of course!!! Bring a level and put it in the rear area with the car running. It should be level. Then sit in the rear area....it should return to the same level as before you sat in it. It it is not level, but does adjust to extra weight, that's just an adjustment, but if it just sinks, ya got some work ahead.

__________________

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

If you want a 300SDL, one I use to own is on eBay --- here in Memphis.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Wagons have shown amazing strength, price-wise. If I were to hold on to a car for a few years and sink money into it, it would be nice to know I could see more of my money when I went to sell it down the road. Not an investment, mind you. Just a better shot at recouping some of my expenses over the years.

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Douglas
New York

I believe he looked at a 1985 300D sedan not a 1985 300TD wagon.

86560SEL,

If you really want a larger car, I would hold out for a w126 or look for a wagon. The wagons have loads of interior room.

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

Yeah, but you don't have to fold down the back seat for lots of room in a w126 (LONG BODY) ---- just got to climb into the backseat.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

Is it just me, or are the SDL's harder to find than the wagons? I NEVER see SDLs for sale. How did you come across so many?

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

I have NEW glasses that are focused for LONG sedans!!!! Wagons rarely come into focus though. I've only ever seen ONE "live" diesel wagon here in Memphis. Actually, my first SDL was from New Orleans, so maybe she doesn't count. Did you see baby polar bear on eBay? I was telling Jimmy last weekend that I KNEW the guy I sold it to was going to do that......just knew it.

Sorry for hijacking the original thread --- but you did want to know about an SDL.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

LooK out for crack cylinder head for the 300SDL squeeze the upper radiator hose and it should feel soft not hard, if its hard walk away from it it has a possiable crack head, and check the temp must not go above 90*C it can be at 80-85*C (max) or at 80*C you dont want to spend another 3k to find another engine...

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Current Garage
2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress
1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs
2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver
1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car
1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap??

Sold
1987 300SDL 200K+
1994 S320 181K mi
2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi
1999 S420 130K mi
1980 240D 360k mi
15+ Others that has come, stay and gone

GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
1995 E320 SE 220k mi
1984 300SD 350k mi