Hi all,
A 300TD has come up for sale locally (haven't seen it yet). Original owner, who's apparently looked after it well over the years. About 275k miles. Engine rebuilt about 70,000 miles ago, transmission and front-end rebuilt 2 years ago. Mostly original paint, some bubbling but no serious rust, parked for winter last 20 years. Asking over $4K.

If I like it and it runs well and looks good, I'm thinking of buying it for a more utilitarian W123 diesel (haul stuff to/from the cottage, etc.), a bit more HP than my somewhat challenged 240D auto.

I probably wouldn't keep my rust-free Arizona-car 240D (215k miles, auto, very clean) in that case, and might have to sell it. So I have to weigh the pros and cons carefully.

What do you think?

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

Not even a debate for me, TD.

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83 SD

84 CD

I've owned 2 240D - as you know - you have to get used to people flipping you off - they dont do that in the td

How come it needed a rebuild at 200k miles?
What year is it?
I do agree that a TD is miles ahead in the race though.
$4k is a little on they high side.

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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

Thanks for the thoughts.
Don't know need for rebuild but will ask when I see it.
It's an 83 I believe.
Not sure how firm he is on the price yet. probably just a starting point.
I'll have to see if the condition of the TD weighs balance in its favour vs my 240D which has no rust and in good mechanical shape... Then if I decide to buy it, I'd have to do a bit of work to sell the 240D (needs a few little things like speedo cable, instrument panel night-lighting, use the mity-vac to sort out the door lock issue).

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

Engine and transmission rebuilt, front end rebuilt, little to no rust. Does the ac work ? 4k may not be so bad

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1996 E300 110,000
1985 300TD 212,000
1980 300D 238,000

Your in Canada may not need ac

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1996 E300 110,000
1985 300TD 212,000
1980 300D 238,000

If the 300TD is a solid car I would go for that. I think the balance of power and utility would be of great value. True the fuel economy is not as good but as others have mentioned will have fewer people drive into your back seat.

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

"some bubbling" would worry me. Get someone knowledgeable to check and see if that's not the tip of the 'rust-berg'!

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

X2 if it is a good one

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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!

Just sold our 300TD and replaced with a second 240D

We miss the utilitarian aspect of the wagon, but it is a more complex car with more systems to fail (and they did).

The 240D is a rugged & reliable little beast, and if it is a MT, should have no problem keeping up with traffic. I love the MCC instead of the ACC, the lack of the hydraulic suspension, and most importantly simpler electrical (that was the last straw for us with the 300TD).

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT

At $4k the bubbling would probably be a deal killer for me. The only way it's possible for paint to bubble is if the corrosion has come through the panel behind it.

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Finn John -- Albany, Ore.
www.offbeatoregon.com
76 Merc 300D, sky-blue, *86k, for driving
84 Jaguar XJ6, black, 245k, for restoring someday
71 Merc 408, 2.3 petrol 4, Avon caravan conversion (UK), RHD

Now if only you could find a Euro 300TD or 240TD, with manual tranny and manual heat/AC -

Happy Motoring, Mark

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DrDKW

Hi all, very interesting perspectives!
BTW, we're having quite a hot summer up here, so AC is very appreciated believe me! (It works on my 240D, just that I haven't topped it up this year).

In summary, between these 2 options for me:

My 240D:
- Pros: fuel economy; simpler and less failure-prone; rugged; MCC; no rust (mine!); exc. interior; good mechanicals; known entity (devil you know); no buying/selling hassles
- Cons: slow (with auto); not as utilitarian

300TD:
- Pros: utilitarian; keep up with traffic better than 240D auto; rebuilt drivetrain; single owner
- Cons: higher mileage; bubbles could mean deeper rust; unknown entity (devil you don't); ACC; price may be high; more complex and failure-prone; hassle of selling my 240D; possible licencing issues (safety certificate)

I may go look at the TD just to see what it's like, but based on the mini-analysis above, it had better be DARN good for me to acquire it and get rid of my 240D.

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1983 300TD 240K - 1982 240D 215K - 1996 Dodge Cummins 70K

Yup, that and/or a G-class with a OM616 is the holy grail at the zeke house!!!

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Current Mercedes
1979 maple yellow 240D 4-speed

Gone and fondly remembered:
1980 orient red 240D 4-speed

Gone and NOT fondly remembered:
1982 Chna Blue 300TD

Other car in the stable:
2013 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI / 6-speed MT