Hey guys, glad I FINALLY found a good msg board for us benz owners. I bought a 1980 300TD (wagon) last month with 170k miles in good condition, but there are a few irksome problems which I'm trying to get fixed. Advice is MUCH appreciated, since Im not only a new benz owner but a new car owner as well.

Firstly, the heater in the car does not work. The A/C doesn't work either but I was told it was because it just needs freon. It blows out air fine, no problems at all, but if the weather is cold outside, it blows cold air in the cabin. If its hot out, it blows warm air.

Second, the dash indicators are acting up. The engine temp gauge will start out around 220 degrees when I turn on the car, then 30 minutes later it goes down to about 150 after driving hard for a while. (According to the temp gauge) Is this normal? Also the gas gauge jumps around like mad and the lights that light up the dashboard at night won't come on unless I smack the dashboard 3 or 4 times. Could there be some loose connections or is it faulty gauges?

Next up: Cruise control. It just plain and simple doesn't work. At all. Nothing no matter which way I move the lever.

Last (for now!): The auto leveling rear suspension doesn't work. At all. I'm riding on springs right now, I was told by the previous owner I just need to replace the nitrogen reservoir in the rear, as the system will cease to work when those run out of gas. I ordered 2 of those from thebenzbin.com but they aren't here yet. Anyone else had this problem with their benz?

Thanks for all the help guys, expect to see me participate here a lot, cause even tho my car has some small issues I love it to death already!

Anthony Ryan