84 Euro 300d to buy?
 

Hello, I am looking at a 1984 Euro 300d. Manual windows, green cloth interior, no pass window, non turbo. 222k. I would say the car is in fair to good condition. Mechanically all of the service records are available but I went to look at it and her son took the coolant tank off of it and its leaking diesel bad out of injectors maybe return lines- i think. The engine sounded good. All of the door handles except one worked. She wants $2500. I was thinking $1000 or so.

2 questions- What should I pay for this? Would this be good for city driving ( about 600 miles a week).

I have a 1987 300d I bought for this driving so I didn't destroy my 03 A4 1.8t but the problem is I fell to far in love with the 300d and I sold my A4 and want another car for city driving. I figured an simple non turbo 300d might be good. I actually thought the car was a turbo when I looked at it but its not .

Thanks

manual transmission?
My 84 euro is, and I love it. I've got spare windows, and a buddy of mine that lives in PA (state college) is visiting this weekend... maybe I can get you a window.

... I paid $200 for mine...

I didn't buy it yet! I guessing it needs at least one regulator & 3 handles. It's an auto unfortunately!

Do you have photos? What's the exterior color? Does it have a lot of euro features? From the description it sounds like its a turbo? That would suggest its not a full euro...

Is there something appealing about its Euro-ness? Otherwise, don't spend more for it than for a US spec 300D in comparable condition.

Sixto
87 300D

It doesn't have a side view mirror pass side. No idea why I put window. The rear bumper is smaller & the climate controls are different. I'm almost positive it's a euro one. Lady said a guy bought it from a German guy.

I don't have any pics. If there's not any benefit (gas mileage, durability or value price wise) from it being a euro model, I think I'm gonna keep looking for a us turbo model. Plus I couldn't drive it very far due to fuel leak & no coolant tank. I probably wouldn't have even looked at it if I knew it wasn't turbo.

Well it would be nice to see photos before we could say yes or no....no passenger mirror would make me think this is a pre 81 car....a non turbo car does not have a coolant tank....it has just a radiator and a cap.....the fuel return lines are a simple fix....most of the time the ends can be snipped and placed back on till new lines are bought....they are super cheap and can be picked up at any hardware or auto parts store...

Plus sides of owning a full euro,

Better build quality
Manual climate control only found on euro and 240d's
Type m pump, extra horsepower
Cloth interior...rare...
Exterior color is also probably rare
Rare euro bits
Way easy to add the more desirable euro headlamps if not already equipped..

Wish I could say what it was worth and if it was a good price, but with out photos its up to you really....

And just remember no matter what model you buy or turbo or not....you will have the same issues....

Weren't 123s built at Sindelfingen by the same hands regardless of where they were delivered? Aside from the few with a 5 in the 7th Euro VIN position which were assembled for the local market.

More than a naturally aspirated US 617 but not more than any turbo 617.

Sixto
87 300D

Crank windows and green cloth interior sound interesting. Non turbo automatic sounds boring. Got pics?

another plus with the euro NA vehicles is the pump... it's sought after on the performance forums, as it's easy to get rebuilt for 400HP power in exchange for a BUNCH of $$$

I had no idea they didnt have a coolant tank. I just saw the nipple near the cap on the radiator without any hose and took the cap off and didnt see any fluid. That makes me feel a little better about it. I was wondering how long if at all she drove it without any coolant. She said her son must have taken it off.

As for the Euro deal. She bought it from a German fellow who brought it from Germany with him. The car is white with dark green carpet & door panels. The seats are a little lighter green cloth. It had the manual climate control.

I drove a half an hour to see it. SHe told me it was in excellent condition and ran great. I got there the paint was in ok shape, good buff would help, glove box broken and hanging open windows werent working and it was leaking diesel like it was peeing. I also noticed it didnt have a washer fluid tank and the lines were sitting there. Thats when I noticed the coolant tank. I didnt ask to drive it. SHe does have all of the service records for about the last fifteen years. Shes had it for 10 of them.

I might buy it. Im only looking for daily around town driver. Seems like it would be a little more reliable than my 87 300d. There were only a couple vacuum lines for the **** off and trans.

Thank you soo much for all the help. The info on the coolant tank really helped. ill have to tell her I was wrong about it needing one!

No you don't.

Use every flaw or perceived flaw you find as a bargaining chip to get the price down. I would never pay $2500 for that car as described, but I'd be on it for a grand or under.

Ha I know I don't! I talked to her today. She said she might take $1500 lowest but she will have to think about it. I had the same thoughts as you Skippy $1000 or less. Ive had enough German cars to know there is always something else that will need fixed even if it seems perfect when buying. Ive had about 30 BMW's & Audis over the past 10 years. I always miss stuff on them. Mercedes are new to me. Ive had my 87 300d for a out 5 months and even after all the research I did on it I missed a whole bunch of stuff

What have you seen the euro ip's going for?