Hello, I'm new to your discussion. I could use some insight and perspective to make a decision. Can anyone help?

I'm on my third 1983 300D. Great cars. My first was totaled by a drunk @ 180K; it's replacement is my daily driver and now has 250K (I commute 1K/week).

I also bought a near showroom specimen from the original elderly owner in 5/99 @ 52K. I paid top dollar for the car. My wife drove it until the water pump failed @ 75K. She didn't realize it and drove until the engine siezed. We got it running, but it belched copious blue-white (oil) smoke and is basically undriveable. It has been in storage for a year.

I called my VERY reputable mechanic and his take was that it probably had at least ring, cylinder wall and head damage. The only best option was to replace with a factory rebuild. His cost for rebuilding the engine in the car would be nearly the same. A sizeable investiment in a car I already have a lot of money in.

I use another tech from time to time, who saw the car & got it running. His suggestion was to rebuild the engine in the car. Again not an inexpensive proposition.

What do I do with the car? Installing a factory motor with a warranty means that I basically have a new car. This, however, also means nearly paying for the car again. If I rebuild or look for a salvage, I can save some money. But is this cheaper in the long run, particularly for these cars? Where can I find salvage engines? This car is in exceptional condition otherwise. I want performance up to spec and that matches the car's condition.

Is the money better spent otherwise? What, then, do I do with this car? How much of a financial beating would I have take and how would I find a buyer? I could continue to drive the one I have now, but eventually even it will wear out with the kind of miles I drive, so I'll be looking for a new car in a year or two.

Some objective help would be appreciated. Thanks.

If you really want to keep it and it is in as good a condition as you say then rebuild the engine. The mech is probably right about the rings. It may need to be bored or resleeved and new piston/rings installed. Larry Bible can tell you how much it will cost if you do the majority of the work yourself. Another option, if you have a place to disassemble it is you could "part it out" and sell the parts off of it.
What part of the country are you in? I may be interested in it if you do sell it as is - email me.

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Jim

TKG,

What would you plan to do with this car if the engine were made near new again? If this is a really nice car and this is the only thing wrong with it, it has the potential to be made into a great car. If you plan on driving the car for many years, then I think you are looking at this all wrong. I'm not sure I can explain what I am thinking, but I'll give it a try.

What you have that would be difficult to replace is a pristine 123 diesel car. Yes, it has need of an engine, but let's say you bought a rusty or otherwise deteriorated 200,000 mile car with a brand new engine. The car with the brand new engine would still be a well used car. The engine, although engines for these cars are expensive, is only one part of the car, there are many other items and subsystems that will eventually need attention.

You are thinking about this car as a depreciable unit, and looking at the cumulative dollars that are poured into the vehicle. I think that if you love these cars as many of us do on this forum, and it sounds like you do, you should be thinking about your future dollar per mile to drive one of these cars. In it's current condition it would not bring much. If you went and paid say $5,000 for another car like it, you would probably not have a car with a fresh motor and the rest of the car would probably not be as nice as your car. Remember this car is a relatively low mileage example meaning that you have relatively new transmission, suspensions, air conditioner, etc., etc., etc.,....

To me it makes sense to put several thousand dollars in this car if you plan to drive the miles out of it. If you plan to put an engine in it so you can sell it for more money, especially if you must have the work done by others, is probably a rough road to follow.

As Jim said, if you want to sell this car, let us know how much you want and where you are located.

I hope I was successful in my explanation, and I hope you don't think I was sticking my nose in your business.

Good luck and God bless America,

TKG,

I think you might have come to the wrong forum for truly "objective" help! The regulars and veterans around here generally range from "enthusiast" to "fanatic" about these cars.

I must agree with Larry's post. If you're looking for a car that will serve you well as a daily driver for many years to come, replace or rebuild the engine.

It may set you back $5,000 or so, but where else can you spend that kind of cash and get a car as solid, dependable, and..well, lovable! as a pristine-condition W123 300D? You could perhaps get a late model Escort or Civic, or maybe a Camry... but then in three years you'll be driving a beat-up falling-apart Escort or Civic or Camry that's nearing the end of its life cycle. Keep the 300D and in a few years it'll still be feeling good, even with 150k on the motor. (assuming you maintain it well).

I'm personally in the middle of a rebuild of my '83 240D. I've had the car for a long time and hope to keep it for an even longer time. I'm putting about $3500 into it, including engine rebuild, paint & body work, and other consumables like suspension parts. The way I see it, that's only about a year's payments on an entry-level new car, or perhaps an early 90's used car in reasonable condition but still well on its way to the end of its life cycle. Instead I'm getting a like-new Mercedes that I know inside and out, and have brought back to life with my own time and sweat. [Sorry, I'm rambling again]

Anyway, if you do decide to sell the car as it is, please post something on this thread first. I'm sure there are many on this forum who would JUMP! at the chance to get a W123 body & transmission that's only seen 75K on the road.

Good luck and best wishes with whatever you decide.

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI

A place called Adsit located in Muncie, IN sells rebuilt engines with a 1 yr. warranty for $4495 or a used engine for $1950 with a 30-day warranty, plus $800 core charge and S&H. Perhaps others have dealt with Adsit and give some info about their products. Performance Products sells an engine for $5600 with a 3 yr. 36,000 mi. transferable warranty, plus $900 core and S&H (I've dealt with them for years and are very good). Also, both Adsit and PP sell short blocks (no head) for less, like $2,900, $500 core, and S&H with a 12 mon. unlimited mi. warranty.

You will need to do a TDI (tear down & inspection) to find out what is wrong. It could be as simple as a broken piston ring(s), but could be much more making a rebuilt engine the best choice. These engines are built very well and if the overheating was not extreme - the engine may need less repair, perhaps a short block using your old head (if it is in good condition).

Also, some cost can be saved if you do the work - if you can. If not, then plan on adding the technician/mechanic cost. A complete rebuilt engine swap can be done with a min. of mechanical expertise following a good shop manual (like Haynes) and renting an engine hoist or block & cable if you have the facilities/tools.

Others have given you some solid advice.

I will only add that letting the car sit for a year my require other work since some corrosion/rust my have occurred in some systems (brakes, trans., rear end, fuel tank, etc.). The fuel is bad unless you added a stabilizer or drained it. A new battery is a must along with changing both fuel filters, then tires(?), fan belts (?), seats(?), other components(?), etc. Letting the car sit for a year without taking steps to preserve it is something else to consider as you decide what to do - unless you took some steps to prevent deterioration.

Hope this helps.

Tom

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America: Land of the Free!

1977 300D: 300,000+ miles

American Honda: Factory Trained Technician & Honor Grad.
Formerly:
Shop Foreman;
Technical Advisor to Am. Honda;
Supervisor of Maintenance largest tree care co. in US for offices in Tex.