Is this '84 300D (Non-Turbo?) worth the money?

[Holson Adi]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=601050540
it's the same car..more pics here though
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=598433605

I drove over there to check it out because it didn't look that bad in the pictures.

My question is, do you guys think it's worth the money?
They also told me that it's a NonTurbo 300D.. but I thought all 300D's after a certain year were all turbocharged?

All four power windows work

What's wrong with the car?
1. Power Antenna is dead, dont know what it is. But, I dont think it's an expensive fix..
2. Central locking does not work, maybe vacuum leak?
3. Missing and loose wood trim (no big deal I think..)
4. The only minor rust spot that I could find was behind the Left rear fender, but it had been repaired.. (though still visible)
5. The engine takes a while to shut off - Again vacuum i guess.
6. Paint is not very good... could use a repaint.
8. The side mirror's motor is weak that it barely moves..
9. The engine must leak oil too cuz it was covered in oil..

I didn't get to drive it though, so I don't know about its transmission... The engine starts fine, and yes it was a cold start.. though it's been pretty mild today (about 50)

The body seems straight, how much do you guys think it's worth? Should I give this a shot or should I pass on it?
The interior is also considerably nice.. (considering its age)

Thanks
-Holson-

[leathermang]

I don't understand this time frame... are these simply pics of the car back in Dec.. and you are looking at buying it from the winner of the auction? or am I getting the wrong url when I try to look at the pictures ?.. Whichever , I can not imagine a non turbo being fast enough to be safe integrating with traffic on an interstate... my turbo is marginal in the get up and go area between 20 and 40 .... other speeds it is great... but it has 120 hp to a non turbo's 80... just my opinion.... Greg

[Holson Adi]

I dont understand either.. apparently both sellers are the same.. I just wonder why they have to use a different e-bay user to sell it again if they were the same...

apparently the winner last time did not take the car (they agreed - if u read the seller ratings) but, i was told that they winner ran away???

whatever...maybe I should run a carfax through..?

BTW, im fine w/ slow cars.. I drove a Hyundai 1.3 to Holbrook today.. and it was quite a pain (since the last car I drove was a Ford Taurus 3.0...)

[leathermang]

LOL, hate to sound like a smart alec.... but maybe the winner assumed it was a turbo, and ran away fast (understandable in my opinion) when he determined it was not a turbo...LOL... greg

[Holson Adi]

you could be right...

[DieselHead]

If it really is a non-turbo, I personally would pass and wait for something better. The car actually looks pretty good though in the pictures and it was my understanding that all 300D's after 1982 were turbo. I could be wrong of course. I for just a little more you could find a better example 300D with a turbo. Also, the turbo is what makes the car "fun" and it's what gives the car personality. Good luck. Get something you like and don't settle, even if it means waiting a bit.

Alex

[leathermang]

Thanks Alex, and AMEN.

ditto...
when the right car shows itself you will definitely know it.

BTW, my buddy saw a 1985 300TD wagon in Boston last week. It had 42K original miles and was being driven by the original owner. My buddy followed him into a gas station and tried to buy it from him. He saw the right car and tried to buy it on the spot. The old fellow sent him on his way. He's still going on and on about it...

[leathermang]

Your friend has the right idea...not "carpe diem" but "carpe automobilia"... that happens to be the model I am looking for also.... Greg

[Capt Kirk]

All US bound 300D's 1982+ were Turbo's. For the 300TD it was in 1981 they started getting Turbo's.

If that really is a 84 300D then it's a Euro rebadged or something to that effect. If it showed a picture of the other side of the Engine then I could tell you if it has a Turbo or not.

[Ken300D]

There are some inconsistencies.

According to the two ads, the mileage is going down instead of up.

The foglights in the front are the wrong color for 1984. (Maybe its just the lighting - they look yellower in the first ad.)

Trunklid obviously says "T-U-R-B-O-diesel". I would have walked them around to the back and asked them what that meant.

I can't make out an EGR valve on the engine in the first ad.

--------

It might be possibly a Euro engine dropped into a USA chassis.

Did you at least go for a ride in it with the seller?

I don't think its an unreasonable price. If you end up with it, before you hand over the check, make sure the VIN on the car plate behind the windshield and also the plate inside the driver's door actually match the TITLE.

The pictures in the two ads appear to be taken in the same spot, due to the green-colored chain-link fence. Same seller, new ID. Check out the feedback on the old ID, you may see why they re-registered.

Ken300D

[Holson Adi]

They told me that it was a non-turbo while pointing at the Turbodiesel sign...
I was just like.. "?!@#". I don't think they knew much about the W123...

i just don't understand why they have to sell it using a different username..
I wonder what they'd say if I ask..the original winner left the feedback "both parties agreed to let go..." . But I was told that the guy just disappeared.

I ran the Carfax free check and it does say that it's a Turbodiesel..which also *I guess* ruled out the possibility that it was a Euro car...

"I don't think its an unreasonable price. If you end up with it, before you hand over the check, make sure the VIN on the car plate behind the windshield and also the plate inside the driver's door actually match the TITLE. " - Thanks Ken.. will note that.

BTW, do I really need to call a mechanic to inspect the car?

[ATLD]

Just because it says turbo on the back of the car, it doesn't mean it has one. Lid could have been replaced. Otherwise I have an 85' 300D Euro non-turbo that's been imported privately. Runs well and has 206,000mi. Also has manual climate control (which was a minus new, but DEFFINATELY a plus now). Paid $3000 for her 4 years, 50,000 miles ago. Has been a good car.

First of all, it's not 80hp, it's 88. She's not at all slow; infact, at drag (if you could call it that), she easily beet a 84' turbo diesel from 0-60. Unless you have your turbo system working properly, it migh even be considered a hinderence (though I sometimes wish I had one). Remember, any 80's MB diesel is slow compared to a gas car. That's why my other car is a gas BMW turbo (strangely also a euro).

Adam

[Holson Adi]

Let's just say that it actually is a non-turbo..
How much would you pay for it?

*I think the problems are quite typical for a 300D and not major...*

Straight body, engine that starts easily (though shuts off rather slowly), and working A/C and power windows...

[Capt Kirk]

Originally posted by ATLD

First of all, it's not 80hp, it's 88. She's not at all slow; infact, at drag (if you could call it that), she easily beet a 84' turbo diesel from 0-60. Unless you have your turbo system working properly, it migh even be considered a hinderence (though I sometimes wish I had one).

Where do you get your 0-60 times?