OK, in need of a car while I figure out the issues with my 87 300D. Came across a 1981 300D with 180k on odometer (Not working) for 1000 bucks. What do I need to know about it, look out for etc? It's been basically sitting for a bit, tires have dry rot. But suppose to run and drive fine, has issues with climate controls not switching between hot and cold... passenger window not operating.

I'm waiting and some pictures of it and should have them shortly.

Update...

Here are the pictures..

Attached Thumbnails

     

Do not think that's an 81 bumper.

Here is my $.02 (spend it wisely).

A window inop and wonky performance from the clima is, well, normal.
It looks good in the pics and if it runs and drives, for $1000, Buy it.

You are looking for a short term transportation solution? Worst case scenario you can unload the car for 800-1200 easily, making your cost of ownership still reasonable.

Its always great to have a 'back up' car.

Let us know how it works out.

__________________
83 300TD (need rear wiper assembly dead or alive)
84 300SD Daily driver
85 300TD almost 400k miles and driven daily.
98 E300D *sold
86 300SDL *sold and made flawless 10 hour journey to new home.

I tend to agree.. I already told him I'll buy it and pick it up tomorrow around 5pm. It will give me time to troubleshoot the 87 correctly and have it fixed right. Like I told my wife, I'll sell the one that I don't end up using for myself It's too bad it not the turbo version as then I could have parted it out for that rover swap I've been talking about, but beggars can't be choosers.

Looks just like my '81 123 bumper.

I sold it with 390K (miles) on it for a $1,000 and the buyer was happy.

It sure seems worth a $1,000 to me (FWIW).

From the basic pics - and assuming it wasn't moved from pic-to-pic, I'd look at the steering linkages and steering box before driving anywhere. The wheels look straight(ish) ahead but the wheel is canted off about 45 degrees?

It's easy to readjust, but I'd look for significant play in the wheel and the condition of the rubber linkage connecting the shaft to the gear. Should be readily visible with the just the hood up.

The interior picture was taken at a different place it looks like, notice the tree directly outside the passenger window in the interior shot, no tree in the other pics...

Still, thats still good information..

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Euro-wagon
1979 280CE 225,200 miles
1985 300D Turbo 264,000 miles
1976 240D 190,000 miles
1979 300TD 220,000

GONE but not forgotten
1976 300D 195,300 miles
1983 300D Turbo 175,000 miles

http://i42.photobucket.com/albums/e3...e485-1-2-1.jpg

Interesting, I just did an NADA value on both my 87 300D and the 81...

would you believe that 81 is actually worth over a thousand more?

1981 Mercedes-Benz 300D
4 Door Sedan
NADAguides.com Price Report
Original
MSRP Low
Retail Average
Retail High
Retail
Base Price $25,640 $4,725 $6,800 $8,850
TOTAL PRICE $25,640 $4,725 $6,800 $8,850



1987 Mercedes-Benz 300D-T4 Door Sedan
Pricing
Original
MSRP Low
Retail Average
Retail High
Retail
$39,500 $3,900 $4,625 $7,550
Options: (add options)
TOTAL PRICE $39,500 $3,900 $4,625 $7,550

Hey if it starts and stops and you don't have to weld - bargain!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

Being from the Chattanooga area also, I spent 6 months shopping for an OM617 donor vehicle for my repower project and from my experience I would consider this to be a bargain (although being na is a deal breaker for my repower needs). I don't know what parts are common between the models, but if you get it and need anything from an '82 300sd that might work let me know as its going to the crusher soon.

What are you putting the 617 in? I have been wanting to put one in my 96 rover..

I'm on my way over there to test drive and most likely pick up the car. If it runs and I can drive it, it's sold. I understand they are pretty slow... but I'm getting old anyways.

I may take you up on your offer for some parts depending on what I find, 81 and 82 pretty compatible?

Well, I bought it.

Runs good. Slow as hell. I don't know that I would want to maintain anything over 65 in it. Just got home with it after the hour drive so I'll check it all out tomorrow and post some pictures etc.

Some of the things I know it needs right now...

New drivers seat (has collapsed to the left so it sucks)
New Back seat, the entire top of this ones is shredded.
Dash does not light up.
Broken power antenna (removed)

Orginal radio and speakers (even the fader) still work..
Looks like Maaco repainted the car in 2004. (473 GOLD)
New Battery in Feb 2010
Passed Tenn emissions 07/06/2010 Opacity Inspection reading 0.8%

Has the original first aid kit, in it... course the aspirin expired in 82...

Before you pull the seat apart - take a look at the structure underneath - it might just sag 'cos of holes...

...just a guess - so please don't be offended!

__________________
1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

A southern car like that is a gem. I would have jumped at $1000.

Was it originally listed on Craigslist?

__________________
Ben
1987 190d 2.5Turbo

nope not rust. The support in the bottom part of the seat has obviously failed. You can push it almost flat with your hand... When your sitting in it it leans you toward the door... very uncomfortable.

Anyone got a seat near chattanooga?


Well that less than a year old battery sucks. Went out to fire it up and barley turned over and died. (odd thing though is it would not stop trying to start, even after I turned off the key etc... I have a feeling it may have a bad starter switch.) Battery was on the guys charger for almost 12 hours yesterday when I went to pick it up, so it should have had plenty of charge. Alternator looks new.

Once I get it started this morning I'm going to run it in and get is titled, insured oil changed etc, and stop by the auto place and see if they will check warranty their battery (have original receipt it's only 8 months old)

I got the bright idea of snatching the red top out of the 87 to put in for today... then discovered the batter cables in the 81 are not long enough to do that. the negitive looks to be super easy swap, but the positive looks to be a bear.

And so the adventure begins. Honestly, I'm only going to do enough to this car to make sure it gets me around until my others are fixed. Later today I'll post pictures etc, and I'm sure I'll have a laundry list of questions about things.