I looked at a 1978 300CD, non-turbo. The car has 62K original miles. The owner's mechanic claims that a cam and rockers will need to be done soon, no time given. He states that there is scoring on the cam. He saw this when he adjusted the valves. He also states that this is caused from lack of oil changes and that the car has sat. I now question the validity of the mileage. The car is clean, doesn't seem to have been tampered. Any thoughts??
Thanks, The Tool Man

you could call DMV and try and locate previous owners for a more thorough history of the car. you might consider taking the car to an independent mechanic for an inspection prior to making an offer. check the list for shops in your state and call around to see who would be willing to inspect it. ask them what they would charge to repair the cam and rockers. that will give you a better indication what you are looking at in the way of pricing.

At that mileage if it is for real, it would have about had to have had nearly no oil changes to have heavy wear as you have described.

I agree with the previous recommendations, get a PPI by an experienced mercedes diesel mechanic and try to verify the mileage. Certainly don't pay extra on the claimed mileage and judge the car by its condition.

At this age condition is everything.

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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.

62k on a 78 is super low. It must have been in storage for a long time. It could just have a faulty cam. You would need to post a pic of the crook lobes for any proper comment.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

while you are taking pics, take a pic of the speedo. MANY swapped clusters out there, and the part #'s on them can help in proving validity! but even if it's the original speedo, it's very simple to set the numbers wherever you want them.

What is the price and how does it run? POs are notorious for mis-diagnosis which can be used as negotiating point. Key is what doesn't work and what will be needed to bring the car to your desired level of repair. Price parts and labor on what the PO said needs to be fixed. Price an engine swap. With all that you see, do you still want the car? If so, pull out a few less Ben Franklins, lay them on the hood & see if you get key & title. Congratulations. You've now bought a car. Have fun.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

He is asking $9K, very high and not worth the price. I offered $6K and was basically laughed at. The car is a nice clean Benz but.... the wheels need to be re-done, there are signs of some paint issues, one small bubbling of the paint right lower fender, interior is perfect, no tears or rips or fading on the rear speaker grills have faded. New Hirschmann antenna, wrong length, like 5' high.LOL Some of the rubber is starting to show signs of age. The A/C was converted to 134A and a new electronic climate control was put in. New tires. Needs motor mounts, shakes like a bear. After considering all of these issues, I am really having second thoughts. He is asking top dollar for a car that is not in top shape. I feel the miles are legit, didn't see any signs of tampering. I did speak with the mechanic and he is the one who told me about the cam, not the owner!!!??? I am going to pass on this one, unless he comes down on the price. Do you guys concur with me? Thanks

9K for a 300CD seems a high price for the condition you describe in the USA to me (but I'm no expert) - that's the kind of money they cost over here in Holland (and they are only that expensive because you don't have to pay road tax on them when they are older than 25 years old so you are "saving" about 1000 Euros a year)

Engine shaking could also be injectors as well as the mounts.

9K , Yikes, the guy is off his rocker. Don`t insult he guy, but more like $1,200, maybe.
Coups are a little rarer than the sedans, and can bring a higher price. for a good example. but rust and maintenance is the same on both, coupe specific parts cost more.

No way would I pay 9K for one with that many problems and unknown`s.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

once upon a time, I read somewhere that people tend to overpay for an item when they have developed an emotional attachment to it. so.......the best tact is to be willing to walk away without so much as a glance over your shoulder......

The deal sounds fishy to me, motor mounts after how many miles? cam and rocker arms need to be done? as if thats a "maintence' item "bubbling of the paint' ? look up at the bottom of the doors and under the battery for rust, I would be very leery of this car. Then again maybe its a garage queen. Look close

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"