New Member with 1983 300d - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rs899 · #16 07-12-2010, 02:39 PM

It's leather. Wouldn't look like that down here in Hell, though.

RML · #17 07-12-2010, 09:39 PM

That is an incredible find! The guys who sold it to you obviously have no interest in MB diesels nor understand their value. It is amazing that the wood looks to be in such great shape and also the dash.

So why a new windshield? Is it just leaking? You may just need to seal it if it is not cracked.

That is one of my favorite colors.

Welcome to the forum.

Richard

JT Burkard · #18 07-13-2010, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RML

That is an incredible find! The guys who sold it to you obviously have no interest in MB diesels nor understand their value. It is amazing that the wood looks to be in such great shape and also the dash.

So why a new windshield? Is it just leaking? You may just need to seal it if it is not cracked.

That is one of my favorite colors.

Welcome to the forum.

Richard

Richard,

If you had see the pile of cars behind their place, you'd know why they didn't care about it. A mishmash of brands and models just laying there waiting for certain death. The windshield has a huge crack top to bottom in the middle. I already ordered a new seal from PeachParts (show some support for the forum host). When I repaint the car, we are pulling the window, doing the paint, then installing the new window and seal so its crisp.

I really like the color as well. It's not brown, tan, yellow or white. Those are the usual colors I see these 300d's in. I had a 1970 Chevelle in Mist Turquoise and a 1978 Chevy tow truck that was similar in color. Plus my website and logo graphics are teal. You can say I like it.

JT Burkard · #19 09-03-2010, 08:52 PM

UPDATE!!

I got the car back from the shop right before I went on vacation to Vegas for 11 days and just returned. Exclusive was very thorough but the final bill was a bit shocking. I wish they called me as they were proceeding on the repairs because a few items I could have done myself if it would have saved me a few hundred bucks. The only complaint is that Bob never called to let me know where they were at and never had a running tab of what the repair work was going to cost as they were going.

But with that said... he had told me this car should be the poster child for how a Diesel Mercedes should run. There were a few items needed attention that were taken care of as well as valve adjustment and such. It runs incredibly well and the first time the turbo kicked it I was surprised how much power these things have. WOW!

I do have to say it drives much different then my BMW's and I am not sure if I will be keeping it for long. The seats are not as supportive (perhaps if they were sport seats of some type?) and the actual ride quality is a bit plush, not what I was expecting. Then again, the shocks might be due as well. I have my Historic plates transferred over so its legal to drive. I guess what I should do now is to just drive it some more before I make my final decisions of keep it or sell it.

Most importantly, I saved it from certain death so it will live on, whether its with me or another enthusiast.

vstech · #20 09-03-2010, 09:19 PM

the seat springs are renowned to snap. if they are soft or lilting one way or the other, pull them apart and see if you can firm them up with "pool noodles" or replace the seat base.

mattmacklind · #21 09-04-2010, 11:43 AM

Great find. The ride may grow on you over time. It is not a sporting car per se but I would never put it in the same floaty category as a "in period" american luxury car. I don't know how to describe the ride when it is properly suspended, maybe supple or pliant. It is a quality that can really impart a sense of security and control to the driver, when combined with the heavy feel of the car and the relatively low power output makes it near impossible to get away from you.

I enjoy it on two lane rural routes and so on. I also run over a series of manhole covers on my street every day just because I like how it rides over them, same with RR tracks. The brakes are fantastic as well. The way the car feels on the road in general sometimes reminds me of a plane on a runway on the way to take off.

Congrats on the rescue, the fact that it was almost junked makes me hate people.

JT Burkard · #22 09-04-2010, 01:11 PM

I haven't abandoned the thought of keeping the car yet. I was just a little disappointed on the whole driving experience of the car. I also only driven it once for 10 miles going from the shop back to my house since I was then going on vacation. I am going to give it another bath today and take it out with my wife for a drive. It may grow on me.

I always liked the way these 300d's looked and remember back when I was in high school my friends parents had one of these. Also my wife's parents had two 300's when they were new so they are excited to see the car once I am done with it.

I have two issues with the car still. One the A/C doesn't work and the shop said there was some vacuum leaks. He blocked off the vacuum to the climate controls for now so the engine doesn't run on after shut down due to a vacuum leak. I don't know if its a hose or what the issue was. I think I should be able to trace this down myself. Second is the sunroof opens easy but closing it would move about 3 inches then you can hear a clicking noise and the sunroof will not move any further. I have to pull on it to get it to close all the way. Is it a cable or what would you recommend I check?

toomany MBZ · #23 09-04-2010, 04:51 PM

Usually the sunroof needs lubrication, either the rails or the tube the flex cable rides in.

Sev · #24 09-04-2010, 05:33 PM

"Between my wife and I we have 10 cars"

Translation: I own 10 cars, and I let my wife drive them once in a while, that way I justify owning them to her

JT Burkard · #25 09-04-2010, 05:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

"Between my wife and I we have 10 cars"

Translation: I own 10 cars, and I let my wife drive them once in a while, that way I justify owning them to her

You're wrong on that. She is actually into cars herself. Sandy owns an Acura TL thats hers, her purchase. She also has a 1990 Mustang GT she's owned since new and still has it 20 years later. The 96 740il is also one that I got because she wanted one, so I bought it for her. The XJ6 is also one she wanted. So actually 4 out of the 10 are hers. The one BMW (77 320i black) was something she found and said we should buy. That one we consider ours together. I guess all are ours but that one was what started me off into the world of BMWs over muscle cars.

Want more proof that she's a keeper? Our boat was also her doing. We took it in on trade at my dealership and she said to me "Oh... we need that" - So it went into the water instead of on the market.

17 years I've been with her. There are not a lot of women who will encourage car/motorcycle/boat purchase. Yup, my woman is a keeper.

Sev · #26 09-04-2010, 08:52 PM

i've heard that when women want things, like jewelry, cars, and other big-ticket items, they usually do so because they're not being satisfied in...ahem...other areas of their life...

JT Burkard · #27 09-04-2010, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

i've heard that when women want things, like jewelry, cars, and other big-ticket items, they usually do so because they're not being satisfied in...ahem...other areas of their life...

and others get rewarded for "good deeds".

StaggerLee · #28 09-04-2010, 09:30 PM

Extra cars and motorcycles are one of the keys to a long lasting marriage. A garage is the other.

She'd rather me have another car than have another woman.

Sev · #29 09-04-2010, 09:32 PM

usually when a man has more than 5 cars, it's because he's trying to compensate for lack of...ahem...size, in other departments

JT Burkard · #30 09-05-2010, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sev

usually when a man has more than 5 cars, it's because he's trying to compensate for lack of...ahem...size, in other departments

Failed at the first attempt to make a funny with an inappropriate off topic comment and trying again? By the list of cars you have listed in your sig, it seems you are speaking from experience?

Just remember, its not a collection if you only have one.