Chime in -Which Diesel? 78 300CD or 91 300D 2.5 turbo? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Austin85 · #46 08-13-2013, 11:01 PM

OK. .The search for the D turbo was a bust . Option #2 is here . Owner has it for 6 months .. Not sure about the AC if really needs charging or has what type of issue if any... The owner has little experience to none with these cars..pretty sure they are selling due to "finances".. 1 friend sold it to the current owner because he needed $$$ now this guy doesn't know squat about it and is more into Mustangs & Camaros etc....

"...runs good shifts good no rust nice paint 300cd diesel mercedes benz new starter only problem is engine want shut down with out raising hood and push stop button I have a new valcum diaphram to install and engine does shut down with vacuum very nice for price of ...............

It is a good 6 hour trip for me but I am leaning again to checking this out over the weekend ,... Any help appreciated....

Austin85 · #47 08-13-2013, 11:03 PM

Exterior looks clean all the way around..

ROLLGUY · #48 08-13-2013, 11:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin85

notes. The Wife Wants it gone ! He may junk it which is too bad bcs of the good of the car.....He asked me if I would take it for $800. If I need a driver I would have maybe...It is a PROJECT car but possibly worth that to a few DIYers...

The GOOD is 139,xxx original miles - 1 owner - Did start right up without any acceleration - has new $2,500 Transmission about 2 yrs ago. Seats are not clean but they are in fair to good condition. No rips but dirty. sunroof opens and closes - no leaks I could detect - dry trunk amazingly enough.

The BAD - the body is pretty nasty. front end smacked up needs new bumper at least.- hardly any clearcoat left on hood- roof and bottoms of side doors...
rear end really crushed in - trunk closes but is not sealed when closed bcs it is bent out of shape. interior - - headliner starting to sag over passenger front OSB. Left front & right rear windows are in-op. Amazing too is there is a leak out of one of the Diesel return hoses like a pin hole size but it squits out like a garden hose.. AC not sure about he says there is a slow leak requiring recharge 2-3 yrs time. Cruise linkage is missing ...Good tires at a glance.....

If anyone is interested in this 300D in South Miami, FL and I can help , let me know...

Austin

If it was me, I would have bought it for $800 in a heartbeat. The engine and trans alone are probably worth twice that. I know you are not looking for a project car, but sometimes a car like this is a better value than a much more expensive car with unknown issues. This one you know has a recent trans, and that alone is peace of mind in my opinion. If I was not on the other side of the world (So. Cal), I would be all over it.....Rich

cooljjay · #49 08-14-2013, 12:19 AM

Yep I think it was worth it for the transmission and engine alone too....granted the body was really messed up...I am sure you could have found a better body with a blown something or another and swapped the drive train over....I do understand you don't want another project and I am not sure your budget is...but it will be hard to find not another project say under 7500$...

cooljjay · #50 08-14-2013, 12:35 AM

Sure that is a 78? The seat skins appear newer maybe early 80s....but has bat wing head rests....has a dash cap on the dash....some issues with wood....horrible drivers side carpet, maybe the oil gauge leaked? Missing a kick panel....how much was this car again? Looks very neglected...

Austin85 · #51 08-14-2013, 01:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooljjay

Sure that is a 78? The seat skins appear newer maybe early 80s....but has bat wing head rests....has a dash cap on the dash....some issues with wood....horrible drivers side carpet, maybe the oil gauge leaked? Missing a kick panel....how much was this car again? Looks very neglected...

Hi CJ, I am not sure about anything yet other than what we can see in these pics. I thought the seats were from earlier pre- turbo coupes. also the headrests...Didn't notice the dash cover. I am not a fan of that, but again the body could be rust and hole free which is what I am banking on. I saw the drivers carpet and until I can see it in person won't know if it's a hole a leak or a cup of coffee. Missing both kick panels actually as seen in another pic not posted.. asking $1,700. he is holding it for me and I am assuming the worst.

I can get a 5 speed 190E up in CT , or a 4 speed 240D in Tampa , or a 300D down here , and so on but I love the White body this has and it does look very clean. You can eventually repair almost anything interior or mechanically over time on these but a bad body will never be the same as the way they originally looked.

I wish I had my truck back I sold 3 months ago and a trailer bcs it looks like Amtrak heading north and crossing my fingers driving it home...

Austin85 · #52 08-14-2013, 01:13 AM

That option is open still. I have not had time to think about it yet.
I guess somewhere I can find a front & rear bumper in black. Not sure how to repair the trunk frame. It is actually bent out of shape along where the trunk lid clicks into the body ( on the body ) .. The clearcoat I can clean up as best as possible .. and replace inj hoses are easy fix. So mostly cosmetic stuff.

Here we go again..

Zacharias · #53 08-14-2013, 01:38 AM

Your sig shows only turbodiesels... sure you want a natural-gasper?

Bits and pieces of trim missing is never a good sign. I have never been wrong to expect the worst, when I go see a car missing bits of trim.

Bear in mind it has ACC II, Evil Servo etc.

On the Coupe lots of stuff gets very pricey: window seals, window regulators, glass, etc, not to mention aforesaid clunkomatic climate control.

If you really want a Coupe fine but if not I would try to hold out for a sedan.

cooljjay · #54 08-14-2013, 02:21 AM

Guess the seat skins are original, I assumed the mb tex was universal to all the body styles that year but looking at a few others from that year the seats match.....that may mean it will be harder to find new skins....also if this car has any issues shifting....pass....there is no vacuum controller on the transmissions in this year....it is all controlled by linkage, it maybe fixed by adjusting the linkage but there's no fix it buy fixing the vacuum pump...

HoustonM3 · #55 08-14-2013, 02:48 AM

Just a question, what exactly were you expecting out of a $2,000 Mercedes? In my experience most people who can afford to buy and maintain a Mercedes since new don't just give them away. A proper one owner well maintained example in good condition will be more then $2,000.

gatorblue92 · #56 08-14-2013, 06:13 AM

Ehh I think I would pass. Its a NA coupe with quite a few issues. I am willing to bet there is a bit of rot hiding under those carpets judging by their condition.

Skippy · #57 08-14-2013, 06:48 AM

I know what I said on the other thread, but after seeing pics, I'm wondering how that 240D looks.

JamesDean · #58 08-14-2013, 08:27 AM

Just some prices/numbers:

I paid $50 for a front 201 bumper. I'd would expect less than $100 for a 124 bumper. So you could likely get the bumpers done for $200.

The headlights..if you want to go euro style thats likely $200.

I'd just pay someone to repaint the car provided everything else important is up to snuff. Sun damage/paint issues like that is somewhat to be expected in the south as I understand it.

Detail/Clean up the interior..Replace the window regulators from a used source..$100 maybe?

Buy a new cruise control linkage piece, $20. and bam back on the road.

So maybe $600 less paint job?

I know the transmission in there, rebuilt is $1500 alone (not including shipping etc).

JamesDean · #59 08-14-2013, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HoustonM3

Just a question, what exactly were you expecting out of a $2,000 Mercedes? In my experience most people who can afford to buy and maintain a Mercedes since new don't just give them away. A proper one owner well maintained example in good condition will be more then $2,000.

I have found that to bring a Mercedes back up to snuff..you're looking about a $6k total investment. ROUGHLY and you know what that's not terrible all things considered.

I've got 12K in my 190E over the past 6 years (amount to some 165/month) and that includes:
-engine swap
-tranny reseal
-front and rear end rebuild
-steering box
-stereo upgrades
-alternator upgrades
-cooling system rebuild
-brake system rebuild

MSRP 1993 - $34,999
MSRP 2013 - $54,700 (inflation adjusted)

By my "system" I've got a little under 21% of the original price invested back into the car. I think that's pretty decent. I'm sure my logic doesn't work for everyone either.