Help- looking for a car
 

Hey all, this is my first post here.

I drive a VW TDI, but I'm getting sick of incompetant dealers. I'm thinking of selling it and using the money to buy an old mercedes and maybe get some goodies for it.

I found a 1980 300SD about an hour's drive away from my home. 120k miles and asking $3500.

Is this a little too old? from what i understand it's a much older bodystyle?

I'm looking for a car that's going to be the most reliable and have the best performance. Obviously coming from a y2k car I'm going to be a bit spoiled.

What is there in the aftermarket for these cars? I'm definately expecting to spoil myself.

So what do you guys think?

Thanks!

If you like the big bodies look into a 300SD (81-85) or a 300SDL (86-87), both W126 chassis.

The 80 300SD is a older body style (W116) and the engine is a little less powerful than the newer models.

A 81 to 85 300SD is a 5cyl 3.0L turbodiesel. Some say the best engine mercedes ever built. I own a 85 300D with that same engine and has 472K miles on it, still runs like a clock.

If you want to spoil yourself and spend some more, look into a 86 or 87 300SDL, this car is a little bigger than the 300SD's and has a more powerful, refined 6cyl 3.0L turbodiesel. The car is no slug and I think last just as long as all the others. I've seen one with 830K miles and driven a few with over 400K. IMO, this is the car to look for, it is pretty rare though, you may have trouble finding it.

Good luck with your search.

but
 

If you do not like the "big-bodied" cars - find a '83-'85 300D - these are the smaller bodied turbo diesels - W123.

Welcome fellow TDIer!
 

Hi Steve,

Glad to see a fellow refugee from Fred's on here. Listen to these guys, they really know their stuff.

I haven't seen the 190D or the 300CD mentioned yet, both of which are good alternatives if you don't want the heft of the big bodies. They're also rare as hen's teeth unfortunately. Whatever you do, don't make the same mistake this poor soul did.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=598525889

One look at the description should be enough to scare you off, but the carfax is truly ugly!

The CARFAX database contains a total of 5 vehicle history records on this 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300CD/CDT (WDBAB53AXEA086627):


DATE
REPORTED ODOMETER
READING INFORMATION
SOURCE GENERAL
COMMENTS

05/08/1992 Maryland
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Owings Mills, MD
Title #12906924
Title or registration issued





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

10/13/1999 Maryland
Police Report
Centreville, MD
Case #9908360713
Accident Reported
Involving a front impact
with another motor vehicle
It hit a curb
Disabling damage reported





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

11/16/1999 301,000 Maryland
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Brentwood, MD
Title #29132694
EXCEEDS MECHANICAL LIMITS TITLE ISSUED





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12/30/1999 Maryland
Motor Vehicle Dept.
SALVAGE TITLE/CERTIFICATE ISSUED





--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12/04/2000 142,950 Virginia
Motor Vehicle Dept.
Herndon, VA
Title #54741748
Title or registration issued

TDI Steve,

If you're coming out of a Jetta and want reliability, economy, long life, etc. your best bet will be a 123 car. This is the 240D and 300D from '77 to '85. You will feel like you're getting in a big car relative to a Jetta, and these cars are plentiful, cheap, simple with readily available cheap repair parts.

Good luck,

Will this be your only car? Are you mechanically inclined? I would be leery of relying on any 15-20 year-old car as my sole source of transportation. Even the best W123-W126 diesels can present you with non-disabling problems (electrics, HVAC issues) that may take time and/or cash to remedy. If you want to dump your VW and buy a 21 year-old, $3,500 car, I would recommend a backup plan (How about a Vespa?) to get to work in case the old girl decides to sleep in one morning.

Thanks for the advice guys! Keep it coming!

I'm a college student. My current car is a Golf. I haul around my friends constantly, who are demanding if I replace my car I get a four door.

I am not mechanically inclined, but want to learn.

The size of the car doesn't matter, because I have a driveway and a parking spot on campus. And I think the bigger cars look better, actually.

I found an 87 300sdl with 130k miles, but the price is going to be aroun $8000 easily. Not really what I want to spend initially.

Also I need a car that's going to handle well in all situations. I drive in New York after all =)

I'm willing to put money into a car, I'm used to it from my TDI, with aftermarket parts.

Blah, now I'm rambling.

Thanks for the help guys =)

My vote is with Paul C.

A big concern as I read your posts is that these cars require some "do it yourself" effort. Most of us here finding repair work somewhat therapeutic and enjoyable. So its not a problem to have small, annoying problems once a month or so.

With regards to the engines, these MB's are incredible. It is simply the small stuff that requires some effort like vacuum, odometers, cruise control, electronics, etc.

The 81-85 123's are awesome in that they are mechanical without all the complicated computer stuff. Very easy to work on if you can figure out the problem. And as others have mentioned, the parts are very affordable.

Don

What kind of 'aftermarket-goodies' are you referring to? Since no one has addressed your after-market questions I'll throw in my two cents.....

Having driven VW's myself in the past ('91 Jetta most recently), I can tell you that the performance after market for MB diesels is nadda (esp compared to VW). Even gas powered models have only a handful of performance tuners that are very expensive because MB puts together such a tight, well-engineered package from the start. Also, what could you want that a Benz doesn't have in terms of 'goodies'? I'm guessing that being used to Volkswagens, you're used to a base car that is capable, but has a lot of room for improvement performance-wise. Benz's are (as I stated above) designed with very tigh tolerances and very high build quality.

The audio systems in these cars are probably the most obvious weakness and among the easiest systems to upgrade. See the Audio forum here for what some people have done with their Benz's in this area.

My recommendation would be to take the funds saved for the after-market stuff and put it into the cleanest/latest model-year specimen available with as complete a past service history as possible.

Good luck hunting - all the cars mentioned are great choices from their owners various perspectives. Pick which ones sounds most like your cup of tea and start looking

Regards,
- Ryan

PS. Remember too, that being rear-wheel drive cars, MB's will handle much differently in snow/ice than a small, front-wheel drive car. Probably not quite as capable, though this point is up to discussion ;)

as far as the aftermarket.. i'm thinking in terms of suspension (used to throwing a golf around corners, and also have a Subaru 2.5RS to help jade my view) and a more modern turbo and intercooler.

I'm also used to the wheel spinning torque of my TDI, so I was thinking wider wheels and tires as well.

I definately want to keep with mercedes styling, i'm not looking to make a college student's idea of a "phat" honda or vw out of it.

I love taking road trips, and appreciate a good ride. But I'm also experienced with daily abuse of city driving.

And having a big luxury mercedes that can keep up with the traffic would be nice.

Obviously you can't compare it to a modern car, and certainly not to my modded TDI (putting out around 140hp and 280 torque) or Subaru 2.5RS. But as long as it compares to a <gasp> late model Camry or Passat, and does so in alot more style, I'll be happy.

If you are used to the creature comforts of a newer car but want a MB diesel that is realible and economical I would suggest the 90-93 300D 2.5 Turbo... air bags..ABS...excellent car...and probably close to the MPG you are getting in the VW diesel....I drove one for 150K and replaced nothing except a glow plug regulator and the timing chain

good luck

Warren
1992 300SD 129K
Columbus Ohio

Definitly a 123
 

I'll personally swear by the 123 diesel models. I'm on my first car now, just purchased it about 2 months ago, a 1980 300TD wagon with 170k miles, but my dad had a 1982 300TD when I was a kid, and I'm telling you these cars were built with eternal life in mind. Small things break occasionally but as long as you treat the engine and transmission to periodic babying the damn things will last you longer than you'll care to drive it.

Amazing cars the diesel 123s.

TDI steve, I am also an ex-TDIclub member....
...funny! I sold my '98 Jetta TDI about a year and a half ago, because I wanted to get completely out of debt AND because I moved from the outer suburbs of Chicago to the city and rode the bicycle to work instead.
Then, 6 months ago my stepmother ran her '84 300D-t (which I have had my eye on for a few years) into her garage. That coupled with other annoyances spurred her and my father to give the car to me. (I think they felt bad that I 'had' to sell the TDI, too).
THEN, I got transferred to the East coast, in a very suburban area where drivers don't think twice about hitting eachother, let alone cyclists. SO, I'm back to commuting in a diesel.
If I were you, depending on your budget and seeing as you are not mechanically inclined, I'd probably keep the TDI! I loved mine! However, I completely agree with your assesment of VWoA dealers - complete bastards. Plus, the warranty on the TDI really lacks. Finally, a Golf obviously handles much better than any of the above listed MB body styles and is probably quicker than all but the 6 cylinder models. Size and cush is what you will get with a benz, which will impress your friends.
So, IMO, either learn to wrench OR keep the VW (it will last far longer than the payments).
By the way, I thought my Jetta was rather generic looking and really prefer the 300D. Also, having owned many old cars, I began to miss fixing problems.
The Golfs and Beetle look cool, though. Is your car a two door? What color? What are you asking?

Actually, reading over these posts, I would go so far as to say that the only MB diesel to AVOID would be the 90-91 350SD and 350SDL and the 92-95 300SD. (I'm not 100% sure of the exact model numbers, but any diesel S-class 1989-1995 should be avoided. The 3.5 liter 6 cylinder is not a good engine, with lots of major issues.) The 3 liter 6 is fine, as is the 3 liter 5.

Don't take this to mean that the 300D 2.5 turbo's should be avoided; these are great cars also, just a bit short on power and front-heavy compared to a 300E. I guess it depends on whether you want to go 140+ mph with your friends :)
The 240D's are on the lowest end of the power-to-weight scale, more of a farm tractor powertrain in a car body. Very reliable though.

Okay, here's where things get tricky... my car is paid off!! I paid it off straight away with scholarship money (bad boy, i know), thinking it'd last forever.

Unfortunately, being in NY I was limited in choices.

My car is a 2000 Golf GL TDI w/ an Automatic Trans. It performs outstanding (somewhat modded- supersprint exhaust, chip, box) regardless. It's Silver with black cloth interior. Two doors. It has 29k miles on it currently.

Another thing that kills me is insurance! Just because there's a turbo and it's a new car, my insurance is close to $4000 a year!!


I'm not sure what I'm comfortable asking for it yet.. open to suggestions.

I found a 87 300SDL I'm drooling over, but it's in Florida, so I have no way to really check it out. Asking price is currently ~$8k
Any clue how insurance runs on these?

I'm definately willing to learn how to work on cars, I've wanted to do that anyway.


I hate feeling pressured to make a decision!! I have a feeling that the longer I wait the harder it will be to attain a good car, if I go this route.