Hello guys, first post here after reading for the past two days....

I was looking for an affordable diesel car to convert to wvo and use it to make 600mile trips a couple times a year and i was offered to buy an '87 300sdl.

I found this site when i started looking for info about this car and so far i like what i have read.. strong engine and overall reliable car.

Here is the skinny:
The car is in 'fair' condition, not so nice in the inside nor the outside but no rust. According to the owner (a mechanic buddy of mine) it only needs a rebuilt turbo to be road worthy since current one leaks really bad (lots of smoke). Car has sat outside for the past two years and has been moved a few times.

His selling the car to me for $800 plus the cost of the actual turbo (no labor). My only concern for this car (or any other for that matter) is the risk of turning into a money pit which i understand is a gamble with an old car.

Second issue, if i do end up getting the car. would it make sense to upgrade the turbo instead of getting a stock one for something a bit bigger/efficient? I understand that without more fuel (.5 turn at the ip), i wont see anything past 160-180hp at most even with the stock turbo.

I'll like to thank in advance for any advise, comments .....

Luis.

You don't give us much to go on but an $800 SDL could need $5000 to get back to snuff. AC work isn't cheap if you don't DIY, refurbishing the suspension is $2500-3000 if you don't DIY, a rebuilt transmission is about $2500...

Your turbo upgrade question suggests you have more searching the archives to do Basic answer is stay with a factory spec Garrett or KKK for a 603.96. An 87 SDL in good tune can get you in trouble with the law very easily. A 560SEL will provide more reliable hp and lower overall cost than squeezing 160-180 hp out of an 87 SDL if that's what you're looking for.

WVO will hardly pay for itself at 1200 miles per year. The difference in fuel costs between an 87 SDL and 560SEL over 1200 miles won't get you into a movie :/

Sixto
87 300D

Welcome to the forum.

You will find much opposition to running your car here on WVO, however there are several people that do it (properly) without problems. The SDLs are usually pretty reliable, as long as you get one that has been properly maintained. Has the owner been moving this car around with a bad turbo? If so, that's really bad. You can get a new turbo cartridge for like $250 from a good turbo shop. As far as I know, there really isn't much of a turbo upgrade without doing moderate modifications. There are a few little tricks to get a little more power without adding things to the engine, but I can't really specify on that engine.

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My Primary Driver - '85 300CD - 4-speed conversion, 2.47 rear, lowered, euro headlights, rebuilding (not restoring so much)

Wife's - '08 Saab Sportcombi Aero

Riding a '03 Yamaha Warrior

thanks guys for the prompt replies, The turbo upgrade question was due to the fact that since the turbo needs replacing/rebuild perhaps it could see an upgrade if cost was not much different but come to think of it i was getting ahead of my self and should leave things stock with this car (if i get it).

i have to travel often from atlanta to houston and i rather fly and have a car there and not rent, i have a place to keep the car there.

the car was not driven on the street with a leaky turbo but rather moved from a parking spot to an other when the space was needed (a hadfull of times).

Ditto, anything could go wrong with this or any other used car. the deal we are working on is that if the car needs anything i provide the part(s) and he will install it (18 year exp mechanic). Everything will be check on the car before purchase and asses the $ needed to be in top mechanical shape which according to him is just the turbo and maybe the AC.

If i were to be looking for a 'keeper' this wouldn't probably be it but i have to be realistic, the car will be parked on the street in front of my brother in law town home, its bound to be scratched but needs to be mechanically reliable and have good AC of course.

WVO, i have been running it in my f350 for the past 2 years now in a two tank set up with close to 40k mi. with oil. you may be right, with the small amount of miles per year to be driven it may or may not be a good $ idea unless the car get more value just for having the system A 560 doesn't sound too bad either but i keep thinking fuel will skyrocket again once the economies gets on track again.

Turbo rebuild: i have seen rebuild kits for $90 on ebay and used turbos for $300.. i'm leary of used ones as you dont know what you are getting. when you refer to 'catridge' do you mean the entire turbo? I'll look for a local shop to see what they charge to rebuilt it.

You have experience with WVO but do you have experience with WVO sitting in a fuel tank for extended periods? These cars draw fuel through a strainer at the bottom of the tank. Not the ideal situation if there's anything in your WVO that continues to settle.

These cars like to run. They run beautifully at WOT all day. If it's going to sit for extended periods, you might be better served by a later model Honda or Toyota. Mazda or Nissan if you want to save some money.

Sixto
87 300D

On a side note, i do have a 89 carburated honda that i will be junking (weight), it gets 35mpg, great for short city driving, inside is very clean and body is in decent shape but needs a qt of oil every 25 miles or so, it doesnt smoke and has a very small oil leak only when parked with the engine off, where does the oil go so fast? . Want a diesel to replace it, these merc seems much more affordable than VW's for the what i will be using it.

A friend of mine has an 5cyl 300d thats been wanting to literally get rid of, its the ugliest car i have ever seen, almost no interior left in it, no clear coat left on paint loudest merc engine i know and he runs wmo, atf, diesel, wvo in the same tank (yeah hes crazy) and been runnig for a few years, engine keeps working but we all know its a matter of time..... been a few years waiting for that to happen.

This is one reason why i would like o have a diesel merc of this era, and the price is not bad.. i keep reading about pros cons of engine models/years to get a better sense for the '87 603

the point you make about deposits with wvo is valid on single tank conversions and not so clean vo, im also with you on that along with other reasons. if i do convert it, it will have a heated 2nd tank. Got a friend that does conversions.

You are also right (to a point) about leaving oil unused for longer periods of time, thats were diluting it a bit with diesel (prevents polymerization), heat it well before use and filter takes care of preventing any yunk from getting to the IP/injectors. For instance, at times the oil system in my truck went unused for weeks (up to 6) in order to trouble shoot and exchange parts, it took tha tlong because i was working 7 days a week back then.

Also when you store WVO after cleaning it (i do centrifuge) its ok to store it up to a year..

anyways, im eager to learn more about what makes this D's tick.

Realizing I like old cars, the only Mercedes is a diesel Mercedes, etc., etc., ... I'd go with anything but a 20+y/o diesel Mercedes for what you're doing.

These cars don't tend to like sitting outside and not starting for extended periods, it will be a constant hassle. If you want a hobby, leave a 25y/o diesel Mercedes full of WVO out on the street for use every week or so, if you want something you can drive when you need it, buy a gas Mercedes or other make.

JMO

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Is the trap oxider recall effective for this model? I dont know, but it was for my 87 300D (same motor). Benz replaced the turbo and half of exhaust free at 230k miles. Gotta love them!

WVO doesnt make sense for 1200 miles/year. I just hit 30k on my frybrid kit and just now paid it off. A single tank WVO kit is suicide, dont do it. Especially going into winter!

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Paul
Benz-less
I need an SDL !

Yes, if the engine still has the "football" then the recall can be done. On my '87 300D (same as yours), MB replaced the football, all of the exhaust system, and the turbo, all for free. Foir those who don't know what the football looks like, the dealer can check your VIN and see if the recall has been done.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

The engine oil smoke from the bad turbo can clog the catalytic converter (if it has one), this is another expense to consider.

I'm gonna check with the a dealer tomorrow about the car's Vin..

i'm revising my ideas, i may keep the mercedes here for a semi daily driver and use an other gaser over there...

A member mentioned to use Bio instead of converting it, which woudl be a really great. I got clean and filtered oil just got learn how to make bio.

Biodiesel is available at the pump in many places (blend).

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

It sounds like your biting off a big hobby and a lot of effort for very little pay off.

Get a mid to late 90's GM car, they are dirt cheap to run and fix, pretty comfortable, get better mileage than an SDL and don't mind sitting for long periods of time on a street. We just got my sister a very clean 1994 Olds Cutless for $800. Its reliable, and gets damn good mileage. I just replaced the spark plug wires, $20. NFW can you do that on a Mercedes.


At this point these are hobby cars, you have to enjoy tinkering with them all the time to keep them pretty reliable. Well reliable enough for a 600 mile trip. You can get away with a lot more if you just stay around town. Stuff is always broke or breaking, and you have to keep up on them or the car will go to hell.

Also if you plan on getting a W126 get a decent one. Don't get an $800 parts car of an SDL. The market sucks right now, go spend $2k-$4k on a decent car. Heck Brian will sell you one of his. Get something decent, its cheaper.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200