Should i do it? 2 - W124s 300Ds 2.5 turbos for $1500? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

biopete · #1 03-04-2010, 08:42 PM

I wish i had taken pics. I'll post some tomorrow if i get it. But anyway, our local indie has a sea of mbs and I swing by to see if he has any fixer uppers.
Todays offer is two black W124 300D 2.5 turbos -- 1990 runs good and 1992 questionable what it will take to run.

The idea is to sell one and make the other one for me as parts car for my 603 and sell the body to someone who needs a nice body and interior. (But i might sell my beetle and keep both for me. What would you do? I could get 4,000 for my beetle probably

The 1990 has light gray interior and i test drove it. It ran good -- right at 80C the whole time, good oil pressure. It started right up. It had been sitting for about a year he said. It used to be his sons car for a couple years. It has a nice set of michelins on it, 3/4 tread easy. dash has no cracks. climate unit works good but center vents don't open. AC blows cold. Locks work. Sunroof works. No rust.

It drove good . It seemed slow compared to my 603 wagon. Are the 2.5s a bit slow compared to the 3.0s ? This is first i had driven one. Shifted good and downshifted when you floored it. Shifts were a bit soft for my liking but it didn't flare. Handles good. Tach, speedometer work good.

The bad is the paint is doing its fading thing on hood and roof. The injector pump delivery valves leak a little. Doesn't brake great but does work. Either needs bleeding or something and maybe a master cylinder. Maybe some new brake pads or a rotor. Some windows wont roll down . Could be fuse though. Odometer does not work. Those are the biggies. No radio either.

The other is a 1992 black with black interior. This is better body with good paint and really nice inside, mb floor mats, original tool set in trunk. I think this car was a free masons as the license plate has something like that on it. I really love this car. Problem is its engine ran when it got there but doesn't now. Maybe it blew turbo or computer or something. One mechanic said it should start. Maybe a computer thing. Imaculate body.

It has upgraded vacuum pump on this engine and good Klima relay which i'm already planning on pilfering for my 87 tdt if the engine is bad. Unfortuneately, the Over voltage protection relay does not fit my tdt but maybe i can trade with someone here. .

Anyway, figuring to make the 1990 best i can and sell it and either fix or part the 1992 . What do you think? The seller thinks their giving me the greatest deal. But really i think its just ok. I think i can make a little money or some free parts in worst case. What do you think? Good deal or no?

PaJon · #2 03-04-2010, 09:51 PM

If you don't get them I'll drive down and pick them up. The 124 is a great car. If the 92 ran when it got there I wouldn't think the turbo is bad, most likely air in the fuel lines or filter. Sounds like a very good deal to me.

biopete · #3 03-04-2010, 11:19 PM

Thanks PaJon. If i decide i don't want em, i'll pm you. So i'll buy em either way so i can earn favor with the mechanic.

I'm a bit concerned about the power on the car. Are the 2.5s noticeably slower than the 3.0s? Maybe its just an alda adjustment or clogged banjo bolt. I could hear the turbo but it drove a bit more like a non turbo i think. So i bet its just clogged banjo. Easy to test on way home . It doesnt smoke and started right up so i think its probably ok.

WDBCB20 · #4 03-04-2010, 11:32 PM

test drove a somewhat neglected beat 124 2.5 once and it seemed like a slug compared to the 617 sd

Wayfarer · #5 03-05-2010, 12:03 AM

Yes, I have a lot of wheel time on both, and the 2.5 is noticeably slower than the 3.0. Not that the 2.5 is slow, it's just that the '87 3.0's are pure rockets. Faster than any other mid-sized diesel at least until the late 90's. The 2.5's are still decently fast, so if it's really sloooowwww, then maybe something is amiss, but it should be at least a little faster than, say, a W123 300D turbo, if you are familiar with those.

Sounds like you have a real deal on your hands there. I wouldn't hesitate to roll the dice on it. You could easily part them out and get your money out of them if you needed to. At $1500 it's not much downside risk, but there is a lot of upside potential. If it were me, based on what you describe, I'd go for it.

babymog · #6 03-05-2010, 09:49 AM

It's a great deal from what you describe.

Put me in line if you don't want them.

biopete · #7 03-05-2010, 10:49 AM

Thanks all. I'll post some pics when i get em. And if i need to get rid of em quick, i'll let you all know.

compress ignite · #8 03-06-2010, 03:30 AM

A Star is shining down on you!

Do Not,Do Not... let this opportunity slip through your hands!

vstech · #9 03-06-2010, 08:37 AM

SOUNDS GOOD TO ME!
I would get them...

namron4491 · #10 03-06-2010, 09:29 AM

I have a 1991 2.5 that is rather slow also, were is this bango bolt at that you speak of?
thanks Norm

Wodnek · #11 03-06-2010, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by namron4491

I have a 1991 2.5 that is rather slow also, were is this bango bolt at that you speak of?
thanks Norm

Trace the line off the alda to where it joins the manifold. There will be a round coupling with a bolt through it. Take out the bolt and clean it and the coupling. Reinstall, being carefull not to overtighten.

bluebird · #12 03-06-2010, 05:24 PM

Be careful ther should be washers on either side of the banjo bolt at least that is the way it is on a 617. Also on the 617 the hose goes from the banjo bolt to the firewall to the Over Boost Protection device and then to the ALDA.

vstech · #13 03-06-2010, 05:41 PM

my customer's 91 had the alda line crimped onto a tube fitting screwed into the crossover tube. I followed it around, but could not find a banjo bolt like my 617's
I will be investigating further into the car this week.
another big issue these cars have is the cheapo throttle linkage.
upgrade to the 617 style of linkage and get those plastic rod ends replaced with steel ones.

babymog · #14 03-06-2010, 09:18 PM

There is no banjo bolt on the 60x. The alda line goes into a tube fitting on the intake plenum, if you can blow through it, it's fine. If not, snake it with a wire.