I'm still a little giddy from this, but I just brought home an 87 300TD. It was on craigslist in Winchester, VA (about a 2 hour drive from my home in Fredericksburg, VA). It shows evidence of having a cracked head (#14, oil in overflow tank, upper radiator hose puffs up immediately after starting car). But I got it for less than a grand, so I feel I can afford the cost of a new head.

The car is super, super clean, has a few minor issues that all can be addressed. It runs and drives fine (I towed it home and will not be driving it till I can replace the head). I haven't gone thru everything yet, but the short list is; no A/C, rear windows don't roll down, small rust patch on rear passenger quarter and a little on the front jack points, needs hood-liner, crazing of the front headlight lenses, car is covered with surfing-related stickers (sorry to the young man who used to care for this car, but I'm a 40+ year old geezer, I need to put my AARP sticker on there now ;-)

I used to own a non-turbo 1980 300TD, that I dearly loved. But it had zero acceleration which is dangerous on I95, so I sold her. Until yesterday I've never even sat inside a W124 - let alone drive one. MAN - does this thing rock! It's like driving a police car (slight exaggeration). Oh boy, do I ever love this car. Now I know what all the fuss is about.

I'm going to pour thru all the great articles here on the OM603 head replacement procedures, and everything else that is written about this car. I see that there are a few other Northern Virginia W124 wagon guys (I hope to get to meet you all soon). I guess now I just need to find a proper head and get to work.