Also take a look at the front end suspension rubber. It will likely be old and cracked, but that's just one more haggling point. Also bounce the car by pressing on the front bumper and listen for squeaks.

You should also take a look at the condition of the oil cooler lines and engine mount rubber. These last items will likely need replacement, and it is easiest to do them at the same time. I had to do them on my "new" '82 SD.

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Okay... I think I'm going to need to make a list of all this stuff before I leave Not that I'm complaining... Any other suggestions? Thanks for all the hints/tips/suggestions so far

Check for fuel leaks around the injectors and injection pump, oil leaks- valve cover, oil pan, turbo drain and oil filter canister. Check trunk for any water intrusion. Check power windows operation and sunroof operation. Gently lift up the air cleaner and see if there is any play(this would indicate broken air cleaner mounts). Check for any unusual noises. Make sure the engine turns off properly with the ignition key. Check belts. Try to test drive it even if its in a yard or driveway. Even with checking it as much as you can you will probably still find some minor issues after you buy it, but thats what this website is for. Good luck.

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'83 300D 198,000mi Howard
'03 Saturn Vue CVT 75,000mi(wifeys)

Okay, I'm definitely making a list I don't dare try to remember all of the stuff to check now... Thanks for all the responses... I'll probably be leaving to check on it within the next hour and a half... so any more hints/tips I get between now and when I leave I'll add to the list (I'll post a short note when I leave) And I'll let y'all know what's happened when I get home later this evening... hopefully I'll have a car... but if not, oh well...

Look between the firewall and the wall in front. leaves and junk get in there and can cause rust issues. there are drains on either side that will get plugged up.

also under the battery can be rust issues from the battery acid. on my 84 there as a hole rusted through the firewall from the acid and neglect. had to patch that. so if owner will let you remove battery and tray for a peek would be good.

look under the carpets for rust in the floor pans. rust can be between the undercoating and not see it.

check rockers and wheel arches, around rear tail lights where they seal against the body.

lift up the carpet and lid in trunk and check the spare and for tools/jack and any rust in the tub. kind of hard to lift out the trunk liners in the quarters, but there are drains under them and could be rust there. look under the car to see the rubber drains. check to see if they are open.

there are MB shop members in your area, one in SAILOR15015 with a85 300D. he is in Norman, Ok. not far from you. do a member search and maybe PM him.

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

Don't be in a rush, take your time. Their are a ton of good MB diesels out their for a grand. If this car is beat to hell, pass, a good one will come along.

I can't really tell anything from the crappy pictures.

A 300SD is a good car, no reason to be afraid of a good one.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Okay... I'll have to see, it looks like I won't be going to look at it until later this afternoon... Part of the reason I want to get it now, is so I can get a job when I get back from visiting my GF... and I want to surprise her by showing up also But maybe I'm just being young and dumb........ What's the difference between the '81 300SD and the '82 300SD? There is one about 2 and a half hours away... (http://tulsa.craigslist.org/cto/798163104.html) It's a little more... and it'd be harder to get mom away from work long enough to go look at it... is there an advantage to one over the other? The lady with the '82 300SD said it was beat up some... so I'm not sure what that means...

1981-85 were pretty much all the same. MB doesn't change much from model year to model year.

I think the only big difference is the 81 should have the 85mph speedo.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Would I be able to switch the 85mph speedo out with a bigger one? I figure if so it'd be the whole 'cluster'(not sure if that's the right word)...

Sure if you want, they slip right out with some coat hangers.

Thats why you can't trust the mileage on these unless the cars condition, story, and maintence records support it.

When in doubt 12k-15k times its age seems to get you in the ballpark.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Its not really necessary to swap the cluster/speedo with a higher one since at 85mph you're already in the "going to get pulled over for sure" zone.

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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)

These cars are not exactly S600's either... 85 is moving pretty good...

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Okay, thanks for all the tips... I'll be leaving in the next few minutes... so I'll let y'all know how it went when I get back this evening... and I'm taking a magnet I'll be taking my computer so I can check the different points that have been mentioned... Thanks again...

This guy has only owned it a few weeks, wonder how many few weeks it has been? registration should list it.

The previous owner probably put on the new tires, look for record, or any records. second set of wheels, maybe you could sell them to help out with other repairs.

burns no oil, Iam sure it uses some oil, he probably doesn`t see a trail of blue behind him. look for oil leaks, oil cooler lines especially the lower one at the cooler. the oil cooler is the the small radiator next to the big one. for some reason the lower one is the one I always see leaking at the crimp on all the used cars I have seen.

spongy brakes. could just need a flush, or maybe the master is going. look in the master cylinder reservor for the fluid level. the back half is for the front brakes and front for the rear. there is a wall that seperates the 2 halves. both sides should be full, if it`s coffee colored easy to see the level. brake fluid should be clear, dark and it needs to be flushed. Black and it may never have been flushed.
Look at the brake hoses at each wheel for leaks.

While looking under the rear look at the rubber boots either side of the Differential. these are the CV joints or 1/2 shafts. they should not be torn open. I`ve seen some hanging in shreads. It`s a few bucks $$$ to replace them.

I think on the SD there is a plastic piece in the window regulator that breaks that can be replaced. my R/R is like that (note to self). or it could be the regulator itself.

One of these 2 cars the door wouldn`t open from the inside.
this could be your Dukes of Hazzard car with Class. just jump in and out of the window.

If you do decide to change the spedo from another car, they are matched to the Differential gear ratio of ea car. so if you car is say a 3:07 and you put in a 2:47, 2:88, 3:69 etc... it will be off by that % difference.


Charlie

__________________
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

Well, I went and looked at the '82 300SD... I'll be getting it tomorrow for $800... It's not in the best of shape... and I figure all y'all are going to get me for being 'dumb' and a lot of other things... I probably shouldn't have gotten it with the shape it's in... but oh well... I figure I'll fix it up and sell it to get me a better one... It is by no means the final car I'll want...