Adding a 1985 300CD to my stable

[Chad300tdt]

I'm buying a 1985 300CD. (702) Smoke Silver Metallic with (154) Java MB-Tex.

I met a guy at the fuel station last week when I noticed his minty 300CD. I introduced myself and we talked for a while. I told him he had a beautiful w123 and he asked if I wanted to buy it.

My wife and I went to look it over earlier this evening. It will be her daily driver. I have to get our Acura sold now. The PO is actually the second owner but bought it in 1986 from the original owner. The car has maintenance records back to 1986, a full set of paper manuals, and a second set of bundts with snow tires.

The only minor negatives are a slight trans flare from 1st to 2nd and the clear coat isn't perfect. It's also a California model, but that will be taken care of eventually.

The interior is flawless except for some light color fading on the top of the rear seat and the sides of the front seats. ICY COLD AC and everything works like it should.

I can't wait to get it home and start cleaning it up. Unfortunately I have to wait until October, but the PO has no problem with that. He wasn't trying to sell it anyway, but doesn't need the car and we hit it off pretty well. I feel like I finally came across one of those deals I keep reading about.

Here are some pics:

Always garaged.


208,344 miles.


ZERO cracks under the dash pad.

[derburger]

Wow, the glove box door is aligned! And the interior hasn't turned to pinkamino yet! Great find.

[Chad300tdt]

Originally Posted by derburger

Wow, the glove box door is aligned! And the interior hasn't turned to pinkamino yet! Great find.

Thanks. My wife and I are both pretty happy about it. Here's a pic that shows the extent of the color fading. There's a little bit of pinkamino, but not much.

[123Guy]

Nice car, great find. Congratulations.

[mobetta]

WOW! sweet deal..............

[rcounts]

VERY nice! Does that odo say 200004? Looks like she's been well loved and cared for if she has 200k on the clock.

So, if you don't mind sharing, how much did she set you back?

[JimmyL]

Dang Chad, NICE!!!!!

[TylerH860]

If its too good of a deal you may have someone snatch it away from you in the next couple of months. You really have to pounce in situations, even if the guy says he'll hold it for you.

*edit*

You guys are dumping an Acura TL for a CD. Now that's devotion!

[toomany MBZ]

Nice!

[daw_two]

That's a pretty car.

[RML]

Really nice car! I love the CD look. How is the dash? Is the cover to protect it or is it covering up some cracks?

[Chad300tdt]

Thanks everyone.

Originally Posted by rcounts

VERY nice! Does that odo say 200004? Looks like she's been well loved and cared for if she has 200k on the clock.

So, if you don't mind sharing, how much did she set you back?

It has 208,344 miles, but has always been garaged and meticulously maintained. Oil changes every 3,000 miles, valve adjustments every 12-15k, etc.

We are getting it for $3500. Maybe not as earth shattering of a deal as others have gotten, but I think it's outstanding for the condition. He even just had complete new exhaust done, and complete brake system (booster, MC, calipers, rotors, pads, sensors, hoses).

Originally Posted by TylerH860

If its too good of a deal you may have someone snatch it away from you in the next couple of months. You really have to pounce in situations, even if the guy says he'll hold it for you.

*edit*

You guys are dumping an Acura TL for a CD. Now that's devotion!

There was another guy interested in it, but the owner and I hit it off and I found out he attends the main branch of our church too. I don't think he'll back out on what he said. He told me he considers the car sold and will tell the other guy it's taken. He's also going to include all the specialty tools and maintenance consumables he has, in addition to the paper manuals and the part number book.

We love the Acura TL Type S ... it has awesome handling and power, but not the soul and charm of a w123. It took more time for my wife to get on board, but she is now an enthusiast as well. She's even thinking it will be cool to know how to change the fuel filters (which I said is mandatory).

If I can get a buyer for the TL, the CD will be in my garage before October.

Originally Posted by RML

Really nice car! I love the CD look. How is the dash? Is the cover to protect it or is it covering up some cracks?

The cover is just preventive. The dash is completely crack free and the temp sensor is lined up correctly too. I wasn't a fan of the dash pads before, but I'm surprised how good this one looks ... I believe we'll keep it on and save the dash. We'll just take it off briefly at GTG's.

[vstech]

don't forget, it's not just the sun that damages dashboards. (although it's the MAIN culprit) the plastic ages, and loses some qualities. the heat buildup inside the car will eventually dry out the dash. I think there is a product that replenishes the plastic, see if you can find it, and put some on each year.
VERY nice car! where are you getting the federal intake/turbo to convert it from being a CA car?

[Chad300tdt]

Originally Posted by vstech

don't forget, it's not just the sun that damages dashboards. (although it's the MAIN culprit) the plastic ages, and loses some qualities. the heat buildup inside the car will eventually dry out the dash. I think there is a product that replenishes the plastic, see if you can find it, and put some on each year.
VERY nice car! where are you getting the federal intake/turbo to convert it from being a CA car?

I've had good results on MGs using 3M wet type spray silicone to keep dashes crack free. Plus I have 303 Aerospace Protectant. I'll look for the product you're talking about. If you remember it, let me know.

TheDon has the manifold and some other bits. Anything else I'll post for in the parts section and look in the junkyards. The first order of business will be eliminating the 1-2 trans flare.

Oh yeah ... NO leaks, just a slight weep around the oil pan gasket, which I'll change at the next oil change interval. It was a joy looking at the undercarriage. Also the vacuum pump was rebuilt in 2006 and the main vac line is new.

[Dee8go]

I looks like ya done good, Chad. Looks great in the pictures. Will you have it when we come for the GTG in September?