Hi All - new member here located in San Antonio. I have experience with TDI's and Toyota turbodiesels....now seeking to purchase a 1985 300CD to learn / explore. I have been on the site for a while - and now finally joined. Prefer anthracite gray - but that is just my wish list. Price range: $3.5K to $6.5kish. Prefer to purchase a 300CD that has some history to it - not just going the Ebay route. I have no problem buying long distance and putting the car on transport back to SAT.

Thanks in advance for any leads etc. PM is the best way to get a hold of me. And if I'm breaking the rules by posting a WTB thread here - please advise and I'll remove. Thank you.

Daryl

I don't think I've ever seen an '85. I don't think they sold many CD's that year. They were turbo from '81 onwards, so you might want to broaden your search. There was a blue one in my town that was for sale for a very long time, but I think it has finally sold.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

I knows theres one running around here somewhere but dont know what year it is,

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1984 300SD Orient Red/ Palomino
1989 560SEC
2016 Mazda 6 6 speed manual
1995 Ford F-150 reg cab 4.9 5speed manual

84-85 are the same car, besides the 2.88 diff. Those are generally the best year, as the kinks are worked out, and they have the most features.

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1981 300TD 4 speed manual
Euro bumpers, zender valance and skirts, H&R springs, billy HD's, leveled sls, real AMG Pentas 16x8 et11, vdo boost/egt gauges intergrated into ash tray, eurolights, led 3rd brake light

Iam on the west coast in Calif., here are a few I ran across on CL. give an idea of what`s out there.

1983 Mercedes 300cd turbo diesel coupe

These next 2, looks like the guy has a yard full
1984 Mercedes Benz 300CD Turbo
1982 Mercedes Benz 300CD Coupe

Mercedes Black1983 300cd Turbodiesal CLASSIC

1983 MERCEDES 300CD

1983 mercedes 300CD CDT turbo diesel WVO

an 80, this would be none turbo
1980 Mercedes CD Coupe Diesel

a 78. this shows the verticle push buttons for the AC/Heat. this is the one with the evil Servo. a good reason to stay with 82 - 85
1978 MERCEDES 300CD COUPE DIESEL TWO DOOR

1982 Mercedes 300CD TurboDiesel

Finally found an 85
Rare 2door Coupe Diesel 1985 300cd Mercedes

another 85, but farther away from you, in Portland. a very nice example.
1985 Mercedes Benz 300CD 2 Door Coupe Turbo Diesel

How about Seattle. a pretty red one
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/2658674044.htmltle?


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Thanks for all the input. I had a bead on a 85 300CD in the anthracite / palomino - alas sold before I could pull the trigger long distance (confirm hauler, etc) - but there will be another one out here somewhere. I'm checking in on the blue 85 Charlie pointed out......

Charlie - what search function are you using for CL - searchtempest?

Thanks again.
Daryl

I have a California '85 300CD. It's the only year they put the TrapOx system on them.

If you end up going for a Cali model, make sure you ask about the turbo recall history on the car.

The previous owner on my CD tampered with the trap can, voiding the recall. Luckily there aren't any issues with mine and MonsterCraftsman fabricated a bypass pipe that I'm installing to eliminate the acceleration lag since my trap can was hollowed out by the PO.

Good luck.

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

I just searched on Craigslist.com and what was local to me, and also clicked on the U.S. cities on the right.

If you do get a Cali 85 you can do as Chad did with the Monster Craft pipe. Or look for a intake/exhaust manifold from a 78 or 79 W116 300SD. those 2 years do not have the EGR, and cleans up the look of things w/o capping off things. then w/o the trap you can use a Fed starter w/o being stuck using the Cali $$$ starter. I also use a fed Turbo.

The 85 with a Trap are a dog at higher elevations. after the Trapdectomy they get their balls back.


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I have 3 here in the Houston area to look at ,all run and drive great ,
(interior condition Ill rate with a number-varys car to car)
#1- a daily driver,an 84 which is blk exterior ,palomino interior ,needs a/c but for the right price I can make that new for you.(interior #5)drive it home,
238k showing
#2 parked for need of body parts,a frt fender ,drk blue with palomino,borrowed to replace another,it has a great suspention and drive train ,(interior #7 )178k showing
#3 This one will be a bit more in price ,burgandy and palomino ,64 k orig miles,(interior is a 9 1/2) needs just a few touches to make mint.
Im very experienced with the 300cd ,ask any questions you might have.

I sense you might buy sight unseen. That is just too risky in my opinion. If you buy long distance you really should look at it yourself. Barring that pay for a real inspection by someone really familiar with these cars before purchase.

I once brought a museam piece as the description went. Thank god I did not forward any funds and stated I would pay upon pickup. All I lost was the travel costs. It was far from even driveable.

It was almost the worse car I have ever seen. In the pictures and description it was fabulous. He wanted to ship it to me but I was insistant we would look at it first when we picked it up.

Actually you might get better results by posting this in the cars for sale and wanted section.

sound advise, I ebayed my first MB, paint was the best I ever saw, working AC, low miles, unfortunately the floor was so rotted the rear suspension was dangerously unsupported, and I found they had switched the cluster.

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1982 300CD Turbo (Otis, "ups & downs") parts for sale
2003 TJ with Hemi (to go anywhere, quickly) sold
2001 Excursion Powerstroke (to go dependably)
1970 Mustang 428SCJ (to go fast)
1962 Corvette LS1 (to go in style)
2001 Schwinn Grape Krate 10spd (if all else fails)

the 2nd coupe that charmalu linked supposedly has a 5 speed in it?!? it is costly (8500) but the price might not be as firm as some think it is.

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Grey '91 350SDL 214k Dad's car
Beige '81 240D 4 Speed 254k SOLD
Blue '82 300D 225k SOLD
White '95 E300D 46k SOLD
Blue '87 190D 2.5 Turbo 315k SOLD
Brown '80 240D 4 Speed 716k SOLD
Beige '80 300D N/A 119k SOLD
Blue '85 300D Model 186k T-Boned

It also has a 5cyl "rally engine", whatever that means. Guy sounds like hes full of it, but maybe someone has performed a conversion, would be a great car if so, and if the guy can be believed.

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This post brought to you by Carl's Jr.

Chad, Charlie, Barry, Lutz, Drop - thank you all for your excellent feedback - ton of knowledge here - especially on the trapox item. I'm sending a note over to chasin in Houston to discuss the 300CDs he has....especially since I can drive over to check them out. You are right - long distance buys of an older vehicle can be extremely risky. I'll keep you all posted - and if you see something pop up - shoot me a PM or call 210-379-3042. Thanks.

Daryl

Chasinthesun; I'm in the Houston area. How may I contact you and look at the cars?