If he was pouring it straight into the tank with no mods I would either run or factor in the price of an engine swap at some point. If he was one-tanking it with some mods, same thing. If he had a two-tank system and had a proper filtering/dewater system then you probably don't have to worry about damage. Ask a lot of questions about how he runs the wvo in the car and where he gets it and how he filters/dewaters it.

Check for excessive smoke (carbon build up), excessive blow by, and if possible check the compression.

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2009 ML320 Bluetec
1985 300CD
1981 300TD

Past Mercedes
1979 300TD
1982 300TD
2000 E320 4Matic Wagon
1998 E430
1984 300SD
1980 300SD

I would still go with the 83 unless the person with the 84 is willing to pay for repairs to get it going.

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1983 300SD
200000miles

"Runs extremely well, has extra fuel filters for veggie oil"

Watch out for that, potentially bad news bears.

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

I bought 84 300SD in almost same condition as the 83 with 169K miles on clock for $1800 back in Jan 09. I say GET IT. Kevin

well i guess i'm not going to need to make up my mind. the guy with the "runs great, won't start" '84 isn't returning any emails and didn't leave a phone number, so forget his sketchy car.

and i found out why my paycheck from the school district hasn't arrived, THEY NEVER ISSUED IT . now they're making me wait until the 15th to issue the check in the next pay period. god i hate oakland unified.

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1983 300SD Grey on Grey 220,000 miles

if i'm asking for a part/maintainence/repair information, assume i'm asking about the car above.

1982 240D Manual Trans. RIP

If I were you I'd definitely go with the '83.

In my mind having 226K vs 400K on the body is a big deal. That means that the diff, axles, springs, bearings, and bushings should all be in better shape. Just comparing the photos, you'll notice that the '83 is more level, and the '84 sags more in the rear. I'd chalk that up to heavily worn rear springs and rear subframe bushings. Add in the fact that the engine in the '84 has a big question mark hanging over it, while the 83 has a new transmission... well... it seems like no contest to me. I'd take all that for an extra $900 any day of the week!

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-Brian

1984 300SD, 375XXX miles, Light Ivory w/ Palomino TEX

haha, i feel you on that. But im in the market for properly maintained 240 or 220D.

Let me know.

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Current
2006 E320 CDI, 57K bought at 67K "Liesl"
1986 190E 2.3-16, 198K bought at 56K "Brigitta"
1987 300TD (Chuggin Along), 292K "Friedrich"
1995 E320 Wagon, 200K "Louisa"

Past
1987 300SDL, (sold) 125K, bought for 1$ "Kurt"

X2. What was it they say? There's no such thing as a cheap used Mercedes?

I'd rather spend an additional $900 USD at purchase and spend less on restoration later.

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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)