My neighbor is getting rid of her 1985 300D. It has 171K, but needs a new turborcharger (she was quoted $3K!!!) and the A/C doesn't work. The front passenger seat also tilts (I assume / think it is a broken bracket in the rear where it mounts to the floor), there is some rust on the 4 quarter panels but not much, and there are a couple of cracks in the dash. She has owned it for the past 16 years and has performed standard maintenance (and has the records).

I'm in the market for another old Mercedes, so I'm somewhat interested. My questions are:

1- What is it worth? She doesn't have an asking price. She just wants me to make an offer.
2- If I buy a turbocharger (I've seen them for $350-$850) can I put it in myself? I'm game for wrenching but not an expert by any means.
3- Any idea what it will run me for a new A/C system?
4- Am I crazy for even considering buying this car given the issues identified, including the rust? My wife is not supportive of this potential new project....

Thanks for the advice!

Sounds like a parts car, especially if that "tilting seat" is indeed a gaping floorboard hole.

if you want something to fiddle with from time to time when you have nothing better to do, then it may be a great car to fiddle with. It may be a great car to learn on too, just make sure there's no Floor holes like aaa said

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hum.....
1987 300TD 311,000M Stolen. Presumed destroyed

What are the symptoms of the turbo failure? Such failures are not common.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

How come these cars weren't around when I was shopping for a low mileage engine?

The engine that's currently in my 300D had a bad turbo when I got it, I could wiggle the turbo around in the bearings (I suspect that's why it was junked). A bad turbo will use lots of oil (from the bearing) and probably make very nasty noises.

A crack in the alda line or a dirty alda valve will mimic no boost. Those both are more likely to be the problem than an actual failed turbo. Craig's is the first I have heard of with an actual bearing failure.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I don't know what happened to this one, but I bought it used with the turbo flopping around. The engine is in very good shape, maybe the turbo went and someone thought the engine was blown? I put the original turbo on this engine and that turbo is still doing fine at 505K miles.

How much rust? If it cast a shadow maybe $500-750. If not, then maybe $200-300 for the parts plus what scrap there may be.

85's are great cars. I drive one and it is worth it. Lots of goodies like the differential and that torque converter. Nice low mileage, to think that 100,000 is low mileage for these cars

My AC doesn't work, but I know exactly where the problem is. A crack in the compressor. I need to replace it and flush the lines, then vacuum, and refill with r12. Unless she figured out where the problem was, you're going to have to find where the leak is, or maybe the compressor seized. Either way it's a pain in the ass job.

Rust wise, I have a couple of bubbles on the exterior and an old bondo job falling apart in the rear left wheel well.

Pull the carpets up and see if you can see the metal floor boards. If there's rust I'd say sorry.

Definitely check the turbo banjo bolt line. 5$ it's just stuffed with crud. Mine wasn't stuffed and I was fairly surprised considering i was shy of 335,000 at that point.

Also, make sure you check the CV joints. If they're cracked and ready to rupture, that is also an annoying job to fix. I recently had one go and now I need to replace the entire axle

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

Klima relay is a common AC failure point on the 85's.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

The car sounds to me like it deserves a closer look.
If the interior is sound, except for that leaning seat, that's big plus. Why is the seat leaning or busted?
If there is no major rust in the body or dents - another big plus.
Also, the engine is low mileage - if indeed the odo is working?
I'm thinking no more than $1000 based on your initial description. You could prolly get it for $500 maybe less.

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Codifex
1981 240D ChinaBlue (Got her running with a donor engine.)
1983 300DTurbo w/sunroof.
1984 300TD manual sunroof. (Electrical Gremlins)

No holes in the floorboards.

She describes as follows: when she's driving up a steep hill the car seems to crawl along, it won't maintain a high speed.

My 220D doesn't have a turbo, so I don't really know what to look for viz. turbo working or not.

Burns zero oil in between oil changes, I'm told.