I've been lurking here on and off for the past few months picking up information and have settled on getting a W126 300SD mainly because I like the body style and want to drive a big car with good fuel mileage. I ran across an opportunity to pick up a well maintained 82 300SD that I might be able to get for $ 1000 to $ 1500. I've not seen the car yet, but from all indications, it's in very good condition and has been gently driven. The seller just wants to get rid of it and will take whatever I offer. The car has about 170K on the clock. I'd appreciate some feedback on my offer.

Also, I'm accustomed to driving gas engine cars, although I did once own a diesel powered Nissan Sentra--which wasn't too bad on pickup. I'm not looking for a race car, but how slow are these diesels? I understand that once you're at speed, they're not bad, but accelerating from a standing start is somewhat slow. Advice please. Thanks.

nah, the 82 is pretty quick actually, beware turning corners from a light when the rain is out... the turbo kicks in just in the corner and gets interesting...

plenty of info on here on that car, I've owned one for 13 years.
170K is pretty low miles, but it's REALLY easy to fake and change the miles. looking the car over in person looking for wear on the steering wheel, and the pedals.
if the seats are leather, figure they'll be SHOT, if they are MB tex, they'll be in decent shape, but the springs will be shot still...

hard to give much about the car without pictures, and results of a test drive.
get em, and report back and we'll give ya more info on the value.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 560SL convertible
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
2005 Dodge Sprinter 2500 158"WB
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

my trashed 82 300sd = not slow around town. i constantly have to avoid collisions because people around me drive assuming my car will be slow. aaarrrrgh.

where are you?

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1982 300sd from craigslist $800 greased on one tank with NO CONVERSION in the Hot Texas Sun. (currently dead & awaiting engine damage investigation and/or longblock swap)
new daily: '03 vw 5speed jetta tdi wagon. bagged&chipped

Thanks guys. It's nice to know that this car will have some power. I was watching a youtube video with a guy accelerating this car; it was definitely acceptable acceleration.

I'll check out the car later this week and report back. If it checks out, I'll probably purchase on the spot. Another question--I own a couple of BMW's and the Bentley service manual has been invaluable for working on these cars. Is there a similar service manual that you'd recommend for this car?

Also, I've added my location to my profile.

Untitled Document

MB, '83 SD acceleration - YouTube


My 83 SD.

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83 SD

84 CD

At that price, I would say to get it before someone else does. The only deal breaker in my estimation, would be RUST. If there is only a small amount of rust in the doors or fenders, no problem. Rust and rot in the suspension mounting areas, jack pints, and other critical areas might make it a parts car (drivetrain & interior). A $1,000 rust bucket with a good drivetrain and interior would still be a good deal if it was needed to get a rust free car back on the road.....Rich

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

My 300SD if fun to drive up grades in the mountains here since you get to hear the turbo working. They are slow off the line and only have 125 HP but this is why the MPG's are in the 22-23 MPG range for me around town and same on hwy. You will be happy with how car handles and power once you get it rolling and the turbo doing its job. I'd snap it up in a heart beat if it has no rust and drives ok and has some maintenance records. You may drop $1,000 in front end work as I did after I got mine. Drive in on some bumpy roads listen for thumping under you feet. Basically if it drives it is worth it for sure. Better hurry.

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1982 300SD

Thanks again guys. If everything checks out, I will purchase on the spot. I'll followup here with pictures if I get it.

My 83 300SD is my high school daughter's daily driver. I've owned it for 5 years now and put about 40k miles on it. Very dependable and easy to work on if you can follow directions here on the forum and elsewhere on the web. Be prepared to replace a lot of parts (shocks, hoses, belts, flex discs, engine mounts) as required maintenance. Not hard to do as I can attest. Good luck and post pictures.

John

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Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
2002 F250 powerstroke with Plantdrive WVO conversion
1983 300SD 190K miles ,sold
2006 E320 CDI

That's good to know and one thing that attracts me to these cars is the ability to DIY easily. I wouldn't call myself an expert DIY'er by any means, but I've picked up a few skills working on my 80's vintage BMW's and many of the same things (flex disks, subframe bushings, control arms, and etc) are what I've had to go through on these cars. So, I'm very familiar with how rubber deteriorates over time having replaced fuel lines and many other rubber components on my bimmers.

The specific focus on diesels in this forum will be of great help if I move forward here. I've been looking at W123's also, but I just like the big body Benz better and there's nothing like that bank vault feel of a Benz.

I missed the link for the service manual on the first pass. Great link. Thanks!

lol, I did exactly that the first day I drove my 300SD to work after being used to my NA 1979 300D... Big fish tail in the middle of the intersection, lol...

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

Well, I went to see the car today and learned there are new definitions of the terms "meticulously maintained" and "excellent condition". Apparently, those descriptions have been broadened to include substantial rust on both rear corner panels right above the wheels (literally crumbling) and on the front fenders. No telling what wasn't visible as I didn't bother checking jack points or anything else underneath. Interior was in good shape with an uncracked dash and the engine sounded good---I didn't bother to pop the hood to look at the engine in detail. The best and highest use of this car is for parts.

This was perhaps the best example I've seen of deceptive advertising--even down to the picture in the ad. I should have insisted on more information before I went out to see it. Oh well, you live and learn. I'll keep looking.

Sorry to hear that. I once went to look at a Volvo in Dorchester (MA) that was advertised a needing only a fuel sender. When I got there, it also needed new upholstery, a rear window (not just nicked, smashed), a radio, climate controls, etc. The 'Benz in the signature has structural rust, but unfortunately I only discovered it post-purchase. I'm now most likely buying a rust-free (Really! It's from Texas.) '82 300SD that needs a transmission from a fellow forum member. Hopefully I'll have a running 'Benz on the road for the first time in my life in less than three weeks!

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"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Has happened to me many times. Usually the seller gets quite angry when I tell them they have a parts car, despite my much much nicer car sitting 10 feet away that they can see for themselves. Some people are delusional on the condition of a car, or think that since it is a MB or a diesel its magically worth a ton in any condition.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)