1982 300SD vs 1987 300D? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mike-81-240d · #31 08-17-2010, 01:19 PM

190E 2.3

panZZer · #32 08-17-2010, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magnus

What kind of repairs are we talking here? I am under the impression that these cars are tanks.

I gotta give a different contrast here, I have a 85 cd,The Anti-Honda as I refir to it everyday as I get in with a smile, I have only had it about 3 yrs but have only put a good used set of injectors in and changed the oil /and all filters. It needs the axles swapped but I will do it myself--No way I would consider that job on a honda-or driving one again. Oh one more thing the benz is almost 10 yrs older than the piece of junk honda it replaced.

JamesDean · #33 08-17-2010, 02:03 PM

Yeesh you guys, probably scared the poor kid off.

FWIW, my first car was a 82 SD when I was in high school. I was an entry-level DIYer and thats where I started. Granted it only had around 104k on it and had been kept in the garage ever since my parents got it from my grandparents (so from 97-03) only being driven a few times of the year. It also has had a rod replaced, as my grandmother was driving it up to the shop (which is in a high water area and prone to some areas of road flooding out) and it was that time of the year and she plowed through a puddle...and KO'd a rod.

http://imgur.com/a/28CuJ/beforepurchase
Additonally FWIW, my parents bought another 82 SD, which is my dad's beater/ddd, and it cost $1800. It has 260k on it, it has a low mileage (circa 80-90k) 617 in it as the PO did something to the engine and my shop sourced an engine and put it in). It does have rust. The most notable damaged area was the one rear wheel well. It had some other blemishes but we bought it anyway. Spent about $400 on bodywork, all the visual rust was removed cleaned up, that bad well was rebuilt. The car is mechanically sound. Two MAJOR mechanical issue that we've had to deal with were 1) a/c system 2) main pulley bolts sheared themselves a few years ago (coincidentally at the same time my other SD's B2 went out) but bought some new high grade bolts and fixed it.

Things the car still needs: rear windshield seals, new springs, and some underbody rust repaired (i posted the pics before, I'm sure some of you remember)

and over the past four years we've spent maybe, $1000 on the car, including the body work.

According to my records sheets, I've spent $6,000 on my 201 over the past four years. Roughly $125/month if you were to view it as a monthly car payment.

My spreadsheet also indicates around $6,000 spend on my other 82 SD over a span of the past ten years.

So, its all in the level of commitment the owner/buying desires to put in and just how much he wants to save when it comes to doing repairs on the car.

pawoSD · #34 08-17-2010, 06:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike-81-240d

190E 2.3

Too complex for an average shop to work on.

I'd say, if you can do most (with most being at least 85%) of your own work and repairs, buy any old MB, otherwise, avoid them 100% or you'll be broke very quickly.

I know someone who thought they'd pick up a rusty 1985 280te because it was "cheap" (they paid 4k for it!

) It needed brakes right away, ALL of it, $2,500 gone instantly, alternator, $1000, then it stranded them several times due to being in such bad shape. They then replaced the transmission, $3.5k After about 1.5 years, they blew an oil line on the highway and ran it dry and killed it. They sank nearly $12,000 into it, it carried them not even 8,000 miles.

They then bought a mazda. They had to learn the hard way!

Cr from Texas · #35 08-17-2010, 06:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Its a 30 year old car, MANY things will go wrong. I have had an '82 300SD for 7 years, and I've spent about $12,000 on parts. Let that be a warning!

A diesel is really only worth it for the fuel aspect if you are driving long distances every day. Mileage will be no benefit and it will probably cost more to drive a diesel if you just drive it around here. I drive 100 miles a day, so for me it is beneficial. My wife's car is gas, as she has an 8 mile commute daily.

Interesting thread but I think we lost the OP. From post #1, he seems like the typical 19 yr old driver that initially is most concerned about the sound system and the looks of the car. If he comes back, he should give some indication of why he wants a diesel car so we can determine a commitment level.

I have all the receipts for my 27 years of ownership including my new purchase in 1983. I've never added them up but I know there have been some over $1k. I'm sure I've paid the original purchase price in repairs over the last 27 years.

Hit Man X · #36 08-17-2010, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Too complex for an average shop to work on.

How in the hell is a 2.3L CIS injected four popper difficult for a shop to work on?

1977busman · #37 08-17-2010, 06:39 PM

I bought my 92 300d for 2500 thinking I got a great deal (should have know better since it was my second mb diesel

) I now have about 3000 in it, and it needs injectors and new tires. Now for the money I have and am going to put into this, I could have had a pretty nice honda... But I love mercedes diesel cars. What other vehicle can you scare gas station attendants, have the coolest car in the parking lot, and be big and safe and have very decent mpg's. A hondas great for people that want to just change the oil, and drive another 3000miles, but I like the different-ness aspect of the car

pawoSD · #38 08-17-2010, 07:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

How in the hell is a 2.3L CIS injected four popper difficult for a shop to work on?

Shows you my faith in the average shop!

Hit Man X · #39 08-17-2010, 08:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Shows you my faith in the average shop!

And you believe an average shop has more experience with a Diesel engine, let alone a foreign one?

The guy sounds like a broke college kid, like most they will live on campus and not have a garage to work on items that arise. He would be better off with a gasoline powered vehicle due to ease of maintenance, unless he has other means to keep up with something.

pawoSD · #40 08-17-2010, 10:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

And you believe an average shop has more experience with a Diesel engine, let alone a foreign one?

No, I believe they have poor to no experience in properly repairing most ANY Mercedes. For me its Myself, Dealer, German Auto Specialist in that order. Thankfully I rarely ever go past myself for repairs.

JamesDean · #41 08-17-2010, 10:57 PM

Isn't Roy up in that area? Doesn't he have a shop?

For me its: me, my mechanic's shop, I've never taken anything to the dealer. We've been taking our cars to the same shop for 30 years. My grandma used to insist that her car be kept in the garage bay if it had to be kept over night...and they'd do it.

pawoSD · #42 08-17-2010, 11:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JamesDean

Isn't Roy up in that area? Doesn't he have a shop?

For me its: me, my mechanic's shop, I've never taken anything to the dealer. We've been taking our cars to the same shop for 30 years. My grandma used to insist that her car be kept in the garage bay if it had to be kept over night...and they'd do it.

Roy is almost 3 hours away from here. Your car would need to be running pretty good to get there.

We're in the beautiful Western Coast of MI, he's in Michigan's War Zone....I mean, Detroit.