Cant get away from these Diesel Mercedes!
 

So i am getting a free 300D in December!

Story is my aunt is giving me her 198? 300D that she bought new back in 198? - she said she went to Germany to purchase it and shipped it back, but it does not have European headlights, not sure if there something special about it.

she pays a Mercedes dealership to maintain it every year and says she does not drive it enough to justify the maintenance and insurance. she travels a lot and only around in the states a couple of month a year. last time i drove it 2 years ago it was in the winter and started and drove around nice.

i am going to drive it from VA to KCMO - 1100 miles! i hope it survives the trip, but i think its been dealer maintained all its life.

anyways, point is i cannot get away from these old mercedes! I am super excited actually and I hope this one stays in the family for a while.

previous Mercedes:
1. 1978 300SD 330K - Died in 05 - got for free!
2. 1984 300SD 186K - Sold in 08 - frame rusted out, sold for parts
3. 1989 300TE traded in @ 290K

had a couple of sports cars in between those (Miata and S2000). I drive a 2012 Honda fit now and its almost like an appliance to me. I thought i would like it but i don't, there is no character to it but it gets 31-37 MPG and was cheap and very spacious for the type of car. I plan to give that car to the wife and I will be driving the 300D from now on.

anyways, point is i cannot get away from these old mercedes! I am super excited actually and I plan to keep this one in the family for a while.

Congratulations! Sounds like you got a heckuva deal.

We'll need pictures...

Deal of the century!

ned,

Might be wise to check her records ahead of time to see what's been done recently. If any rubber parts have been sitting (belts/hoses etc), they tend to deteriorate. Those are the kinds of things that can ruin your day and leave you by the side of the road.....

Also, maybe do an oil change in VA before you leave.

Just my .02

before your trip, be sure and post here pics, and inspect the history yourself, so you know how long things have been sitting.
it does sound like you have an amazing deal there. Congratulations!

Replace all fluids and filters, take a few primary fuel filters too.

Inspect the belts and tires.

Congratulations!

I would be lying if i said i am not afraid of the trip.

I am flying in and driving back the same day - 18 hours on the road with a car i don't know much about. i am going to try to see if i can call the dealer to email or fax me over the maintenance

the Good about this situation
1. I know its in driving condition (she just drove it this month)
2. I drove it 2 years ago and it drove very nice (mid winter VA and started up with one glow plug cycle)
3. Dealer maintained every year - supposedly she asked the mechanic if it would make it back to KC and he said yes no problem
4. I am not a complete noob about these cars, owning 2 diesels and reading this forum daily back then - pretty much what kept my 300SD's running.
5. Tires are new

i plan on bringing 2 primary filter and a spin on filter, a fuse kit and buying a set of jumper cables and a cheap tool set, fluids (for the trip) locally for the road and pray for the best. oh and i'll try to get in a jiffy lube unless the oil has been changed recently.

its weird that i want to get out of my brand new Honda Fit and get back in these old cars.

Don't take it to a fast oil change place, they are the worst ones to bring an old MB to, they will not have the right filter, will strip the oil filter housing bolts, overfill the oil, strip the drainplug, you name it. Have a proper euro shop do it. Worth the extra $$.

The boots on the rear half shafts need to be looked at ,if those are opened youll have even a longer trip.Some years ago my wayward trip to Dallas was fine til the trip home had me down my speed to 55 due to one of the shafts ,it was me against all the other road warriors and I was the little old lady in their way.

If an ethical mercedes dealer was checking the car over once a year and doing what was required. The lady did tell you that the cost of maintenance for the useage was high remember. So chances are they really did examine that car carefully every year.

The chances of roadside problems are fairly small. As long as the tires are not age rotted I would not hesitate to take it 3,000 miles. You probably have no ideal what many members managed to get home with.

With a little good fortune you are getting a good sound car. I asume your older relative did not enter road rallies or demolition derbies.:D. My mother eventually gave up her car because of the cost of dealer service as she and the car aged. It was older and in great shape with low milage. It again was a car you could have taken anywhere.

RUN!!!!!

LOL!!!!

I am scared of the rear half shaft boots and the flex disc. But I have my fingers crossed that this dealership has milked out all the maintenance they can out of her.

strangely looking forward to this road trip, with my newborn and moving/work this has been the only vacation in 2 years!

I'll update this post and show it off comes December!

Wow that's great ned. Brings back memories. My first car was a 1982 VW jetta diesel NA. I had just fixed the clutch, rear main oil seal, head gasket, and injector pump but had just gotten married and was about to move to KCMO. This was circa 1993.No kids, no job, no responsibilities, and my life was just beginning. As I recall the worst part of the trip was the mountains. I had to get in the slow lane. ALL THE TIME. But once I hit the flatlands in Kentucky it was a piece of cake. I assume you will take the I-77,I64,I70 route. These cars are hard to kill. I'd guess if it lasts the first 30 minutes it will last the trip. Just make sure to take some tools and stock up on fuel filters! Especially if it has sat for a while and may have algae in the tank.

Sounds like a great find. I would take the filters but would probably skip doing any work on the car unless an obvious problem is noted. That includes the oil. I'd prolly just check air in tires and all fluids and unless the records show the oil being very old I would roll it.

Good luck!

Check the fluids, tire pressure, belts, and as was mentioned it was dealer maintained, so probably good to go.

look over the records of it`s maintenance if she kept them.

Having a couple spin on filters wouldn`t be a bad idea, and a clear one. you can shake out anything from the clear one and blow it out with brake cleaner spray if necessary.
Have some ATF to fill the spin-on filter if you change one. think it is a 22mm socket that loosens the spin-on filter bolt.

Stay out of the Jiffy Lube places and DIY, less problems in the long run.
Even if it is in need of a oil change, you won`t hurt it until you get home.

Just drive it and have a safe trip.

Congratulations with your new baby. :)


Charlie