1983 300SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mrNewGuy · #1 05-12-2010, 01:23 PM

Hi all, thinking about getting a mercedes diesel, my sister has one and I've been researching and checking out the forums. This is kind of a 2 part question.

Found an 83 300SD with about 160K miles on it, asking $3900. Going to look at it, timing chain was replaced in 09, that's about all the info I have, looks very nice from the pics. Price sound reasonable? Of course, this is based on the assumption that it has been properly maintained, etc.

Other question is I hear that the 85 models had a better differential gear ratio for highway driving, is it possible to swap out the one on the 83 model with an 85?

Thanks for your help....

Graplr · #2 05-12-2010, 01:29 PM

The price sounds a bit high to me, but price is all based upon condition and matainence. Could be priced right but could also be vastly overpriced. Ask LOTS of questions about the car and ask for reciepts/documentation of work done.

85 SDs have a 2.88 rear diff and the earliers have a 3.07. Many have changed them out. Mine still has the original 3.07. I don't recall the exact drop in RPMs at top highway speeds. I believe there are people that have even used lower ratio gasser rear diffs. But IMO, if you truly want a 2.88 rear diff, hold out for an 85. It will be cheaper in the long run.

rrgrassi · #3 05-12-2010, 01:34 PM

Ask to see the papers on the timing chain. If it's not an IWIS or not was replaced by a MB dealer or a well known indy, it could cause lots of problems down the road...pun intended.

JackG · #4 05-12-2010, 01:42 PM

Seeing how you are new to MB's, you really only have 2
choices........

1) take it to a MB mechanic for an inspection PRIOR to buying or........

2) roll the dice................

Now ask yourself, DO I FEEL LUCKY.

mrNewGuy · #5 05-12-2010, 02:01 PM

Well that was quick, thanks for the advice. Basically I'm looking for a good road trip vehicle and one that is also a tank. If I'm seriously considering a vehicle, I'll drag my bro in law along, he's done enough work on his MB and has a diesel truck. This particular one seemed like a good idea as the miles were fairly low compared to what I have seen over the past few months and I know the amount of miles isn't everything, and it's also an SD, which I have a preference for....

cirrusman · #6 05-12-2010, 02:20 PM

Without seeing the car or pics of it it's kind of hard to tell if the price is right. For a mint, pristine, garage kept, old lady owned, driven-on-Sundays-to church car, price is a steal. For a restored-after-being-totaled car, hm... hard to tell without seeing the car. And about the rear diff I have the same question; besides, I wonder if the speedo wouldn't give a false reading with a different ratio...

Graplr · #7 05-12-2010, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JackG

Seeing how you are new to MB's, you really only have 2
choices........

1) take it to a MB mechanic for an inspection PRIOR to buying or........

2) roll the dice................

Now ask yourself, DO I FEEL LUCKY.

3 years ago I rolled the dice. Then I found this forum and hit the jackpot. I hadn't done anything but change the oil on my cars in the past. A year and a half ago I swapped out engines and transmissions in my driveway by myself. This forum gave me the knowledge and confidence to do all my own matainence. 65k miles on the SD later and here we are!

If you own a Mercedes diesel, you need to read this forum as much as you can.

toomany MBZ · #8 05-12-2010, 02:26 PM

If the mileage is correct and it inspects well, seems to be a decent price.

Graplr · #9 05-12-2010, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cirrusman

Without seeing the car or pics of it it's kind of hard to tell if the price is right. For a mint, pristine, garage kept, old lady owned, driven-on-Sundays-to church car, price is a steal. For a restored-after-being-totaled car, hm... hard to tell without seeing the car. And about the rear diff I have the same question; besides, I wonder if the speedo wouldn't give a false reading with a different ratio...

Yes the speedometer would be off. But you can remedy that easily by swapping the speedometer from the 85 you get the rear diff off of.

mrNewGuy · #10 05-12-2010, 02:34 PM

Here's some pics, and yes I have been following this and a few other forums regarding MB diesels. I appreciate all the info....

Graplr · #11 05-12-2010, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrNewGuy

Here's some pics, and yes I have been following this and a few other forums regarding MB diesels. I appreciate all the info....

Looks nice from the pics. Same exterior color as my 84, but my 84 has gray interior. I have found a gray interior is uncommon and the more common interior color with this exterior color is the navy. Those seats are real leather, not the MB Tex. The dash appears uncracked, which is a big plus.

The interior looks pretty good from the few pics. That is a sign that it has not been abused hard.

In my opinion, if everything works (including AC) and is up to date on all matainence with a stack of reciepts then it may be worth the $3900. For anything not working start subtracting off of that price. No receipt/documentation at all, lower the price. But again, that is just my opinion. I bought my SD for $1400 3 years ago with 225k on the clock but it was in no where near as nice a shape as this one.

Junkman · #12 05-12-2010, 03:01 PM

Take your brother in law & a stack of Ben Franklins. Feel the engine before starting. You want it cold. If it starts easily everything works including the air, if it doesn't have rust, start negotiating. Lay some Bens out on the hood. They look beautiful on the Benz hood. See how few you can lay out.

There are a lot of ragged out cars for sale between $1,000 & $3,000. Better to pay a little more for something in good shape. Don't over pay else you'll remember everytime you get in the car but you don't HAVE to under pay either. Whatever you get, keep a set of fuel filters & enough tools to change them in the trunk. Don't obsess over gear ratios. es macht nicht.

vstech · #13 05-12-2010, 03:03 PM

notice that the oil/fuel/water cluster has bright orange needles, and the speedo and tach needles are yellow.
be suspicious of the miles. easily swapped from a vehicle with far fewer miles. less than 5 minutes to change. in 20, the mileage could be rolled back from 400K
I'd pull the valve cover and verify timing chain, verify cam timing. totally inspect the motor. drive the car for sure, and feel for transmission problems.
verify EVERYTHING on the car works.
door locks are vacuum controlled by a pump in the trunk, so luck and unlock the drivers door and verify all doors lock and unlock. make sure the pump shuts off. inspect on your hands and knees for any traces of rust in the suspension, the floorpan, the trunk, etc, etc...
pull the battery, and look for rust under it.
while the hoods open, look in each spring area for rust/leaves etc.
check in the sunroof pan for dirt/rust/proper drainage.
check the a/c and the heat. verify everything works well.
IF you can afford 3900 that car looks cherry. I'd insist on having the car stone cold and try to start it without running the glow plugs. it's hot out, it should start easily, and smoothly.
newer bodystyles and powerplants can be had in that price range. but this seems to be a prime example of the solid 5 cylinder iron head "million mile" mercedes.
nice find!
I can't believe the condition that leather is in.

tbomachines · #14 05-12-2010, 03:17 PM

3900 sounds high but it really depends on where you are located. In the rust belt, a rust-free (completely, not hidden) SD with working AC would be worth that much, but around here in PA w126s are dime a dozen. I think spending a bit more on a 100% perfect diesel is not only rewarding but will be financially beneficial in the long run as well. Biggest thing to look out for is rust. MAKE SURE you check underneath the trunk carpeting/wheel wells...the carpets just lift up and out so the seller shouldn't have a problem looking for it. Also, Jack point, rocker panels, and behind the battery tray are common points. Check the rear window seal for cracks and deterioration. As mentioned above, make sure that the timing chain is MB or IWIS brand...horror stories come from other brands of timing chain, best not to mess with that.

If you post your location or fill it out in the "User CP" section, it will help to frame a price estimate.

Graplr · #15 05-12-2010, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

notice that the oil/fuel/water cluster has bright orange needles, and the speedo and tach needles are yellow.

You seriously can tell any difference from that one picture?? I can barely see the needles let alone tell any difference between them.

Seriously though, part of the cluster has a reflection on it, this could easily be why different needles look different, but do inspect them when you get there in person.