Parts car? Maybe not after all. New purchase - 1985 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

uberwasser · #1 02-19-2014, 11:05 PM

So this was posted in the Craiglist alert thread:

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

1985 Mercedes Benz 300D

1985 Mercedes Benz 300D - $950

1985 Mercedes Benz 300D odometer: 172415 automatic transmission

The Good:

172,000 miles. Odometer is accurate. All oil changes were done at the correct intervals. These cars will go 250K+. Great for people who want to do veggie conversions.

The Bad:

It sat in my driveway for a while and wouldn't start or jump. Needs a battery and possibly a starter. A/C not working. Probably needs some steering fluid (groans when turning hard). Isn't a great highway car. Maxes at 80-85. The paint job isn't too pretty. You'll have to tow it.

A cheap option for someone who wants to invest around $500 to have a good about-town car or veggie conversion.

Must sell! $950. Serious inquiries only.

Charlie

I went and bought it. Didn't pay quite that much.

At first I bought it under the presumption that it was going to be used for all the rust free body parts.

However, as I looked it over I also got the inkling that all was not as it seemed; i.e. that it wasn't as bad as it was being portrayed.

I got it towed home Monday. I dropped in a good battery. Here is the result:

First start up of 1985 300D after purchase - YouTube

Other problems noted by the previous owner?

Car won't shut off, and door locks don't work. Solution? Re-attach vacuum line at door lock system check valve. Car now shuts off and door locks work when running. There are obviously some leaks so it doesn't work when the car is shut down, but I've been through that and fixed that on my '79 so I'm all good with fixing that.

The steering groans. Solution? Add fluid. Groan gone.

Won't go much over 85 mph? Not sure yet, but I'll be replacing fuel filters as a start this weekend.

Will need to look at the A/C. Per the sticker on the radiator support it was converted to 134a.

A few other things I've noticed so far:

Brakes probably leak; the rear chamber on the reservoir was low. Will need to investigate further. Worked OK when filled with fluid.

Short bypass coolant hose is leaking. Just fixed this on my '79 so fixing it on this will be easy; I even have some bulk hose left.

Transmission shifts nicely firmness wise. But it shifts way way too early by my estimation. It shifts twice by 25mph on light throttle. I cut my teeth on my '79 and the transmission is very very different. Any advice on adjusting shift points is appreciated.

Some little electrical things aren't working. Tach. Antenna. Dome light. But I looked and the fuses are kind of funky looking so I'll replace them and see what happens.

I only got it running and out on the road for a spin around the block today. Will do some basic stuff this weekend so I can get it smogged and registered.

I think it may be a keeper!!

Picture in my carport:

Oh and it came with receipts and a filled out maintenance booklet going back to 1986. Was well cared for until recently, and will be again.

POS · #2 02-20-2014, 12:26 AM

Heck of a deal. Congrats.

BillGrissom · #3 02-20-2014, 01:17 AM

Good deal. My M-B story is similar. Heck, my car fleet even looks almost the same. I have a 65 Chrysler Newport parked beside my 300D.

I paid $400 for my 84 300D as a parts car, mainly for the engine to fix my 85 300D. I ended up repairing the 84 (cracked LCA pivot support) and my son drove it 3.5 yrs. I later found a $300 engine for the 85 which turned out to be perfect (>400 psig all cyl). Both purchases via craigslist.

The 85 car is primo now (son driving it) and I am polishing the 84 as I drive it. The son needs a dependable car because he is 400 mi away and fairly helpless, plus in medical school with little time and can't risk his fingers.

ImBroke · #4 02-20-2014, 05:54 AM

I was wondering if some of the symptoms weren't simple fixes. Congrats on what appears to be a great purchase.

aieeegrunt · #5 02-20-2014, 09:05 AM

Argh I guessed right on this car but was too far away to buy it. Glad it went to somebody who will take advantage of this great find!

TnBob · #6 02-20-2014, 10:26 AM

Sounds good for soo radically needing a valve adjustment.
Replacing and cleaning all the fuse terminals sure helps, just dont use the aluminum fuse elements ones.
From what you say, Id sure be flushing the power steering fluid and all the brake fluid.
Great deal from what has come up so far.

rscurtis · #7 02-20-2014, 10:37 AM

Sounds good to me. That's waaaay beyond a parts car.

uberwasser · #8 02-20-2014, 10:57 AM

Yes, it ran quite smooth and quiet compared to what I was expecting.

Valve adjustment is on the list. I have a little stash of copper fuses.

I have a power bleeder that I borrowed from a friend while doing a 4 wheel brake job on my '79. So I'll flush them this weekend. I also have plenty of power steering fluid on hand, and a new filter to install.

Over on another forum I got advice to 1) "mess" with the Bowden cable, I'll have to look that up 2) adjust all the throttle linkages to spec 3) check fuse on OVP box...to perhaps get the tachometer working 4) adjust the ALDA.

By the way, in the trunk I found the following:

A small parts washer, looks to have never been used
A car cover
A cheap 2 ton baby jack, will be good to put in the Plymouth's trunk for tire changes
Some jack stands
A few Mahle oil filters
A few other odds and ends

I'm looking forward to tinkering this weekend.

Zacharias · #9 02-20-2014, 11:03 AM

Isn't ironic that a solid, decent car like that gets 'undersold' on Craigslist, then there are pages of junk guys to try to pass off as a going concern.

By the way, on behalf of everyone in the northeast rust belt: I hate you people who live in the southwest. Really

.

Love that Plymouth tho.

toomany MBZ · #10 02-20-2014, 11:06 AM

That was me, I believe.

I've adjusted the Bowden cable on both my cars to shift late, a matter of personal preference.

Turn the plastic nut CCW to make the shifts later in the rev range.

Peak horsepower is achieved at 4350 rpm, at least when new.

EDIT: referring to post #8.

uberwasser · #11 02-20-2014, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharias

Isn't ironic that a solid, decent car like that gets 'undersold' on Craigslist, then there are pages of junk guys to try to pass off as a going concern.

Yeah, I think I was the only one who had looked at it with any serious intentions to buy it. He seemed surprised that I made a confident cash offer...he definitely scared off buyers with his description and he continued to undersell it while I was there.

Quote:

By the way, on behalf of everyone in the northeast rust belt: I hate you people who live in the southwest. Really

.

Love that Plymouth tho.

Ahh, well, if it helps you feel better none of these cars have working A/C. So just let that ease your sorrows as I drive it around this summer in 115° heat.

It always seems that the A/C work just gets put off...

charmalu · #12 02-20-2014, 11:28 AM

Don`t I get a finders fee for posting it???

Looks like a diamond in the rough. If that is a true 172K miles. it is almost new. Ya know they go a million miles.

On the 85, the Tach pick up is off the Flywheel. on the top left side is where the sensor/cable connects to the Adaptor plate. the cable goes to the Black Box behind the pass side Kick Panel. Mine has never given me any troubles since we have had it since 97, and even with the 4-spd swap it still works. so the auto FW isn`t anything special. Some people think there is a magnet or??? something sort of pickup.

Right in the middle of the firewall behind the VC is a flat plug and a large round one. one is the tack and the other is from the box on the back side of the IP. the rack Position sensor. they both go the Black Box.

Change all the fluids, filters, valve adjustment and the trans, you should have a sweet running for along time MB. Congratulations.

If you have to go through the AC system later on, buy one of ROLLGUYS AC bracket kits for the Sanden Compressor.

Charlie

uberwasser · #13 02-20-2014, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by charmalu

Don`t I get a finders fee for posting it???

Looks like a diamond in the rough. If that is a true 172K miles. it is almost new. Ya know they go a million miles.

On the 85, the Tach pick up is off the Flywheel. on the top left side is where the sensor/cable connects to the Adaptor plate. the cable goes to the Black Box behind the pass side Kick Panel. Mine has never given me any troubles since we have had it since 97, and even with the 4-spd swap it still works. so the auto FW isn`t anything special. Some people think there is a magnet or??? something sort of pickup.

Right in the middle of the firewall behind the VC is a flat plug and a large round one. one is the tack and the other is from the box on the back side of the IP. the rack Position sensor. they both go the Black Box.

Change all the fluids, filters, valve adjustment and the trans, you should have a sweet running for along time MB. Congratulations.

If you have to go through the AC system later on, buy one of ROLLGUYS AC bracket kits for the Sanden Compressor.

Charlie

Hmm. Do you want the stuff I inevitably find under the seats??

Thanks for the tips.

Regarding mileage, the maintenance records on it stop at about 150,000 miles. However, the title from the previous owner shows it had 169k miles two years ago. With how little it sounds like he drove it, 172k miles sounds about right. So it means the odometer has worked consistently. Knowing these cars, it may turn slow however.

But the seats have good support, the steering wheel isn't all worn, etc. So there are signs it's still early in life. I'm going to shoot for 2 million miles!

uberwasser · #14 02-21-2014, 06:21 PM

Today I ---

Changed the oil and filter and replaced the very brittle filter housing o-rings.

Performed a diesel purge.

Changed the primary and secondary fuel filters, and the o-rings on the secondary filter bolt.

Flushed the power steering system and will change the filter as soon as it arrives. It needs it, badly.

Changed the injector return lines.

Checked the fuses and replaced a few that looked funky. Thankfully no aluminium fuses in sight.

Tomorrow will be a rear differential fluid change, a brake flush, bowden cable check, and new tires. Then I think I'll do emissions and registration.

uberwasser · #15 02-21-2014, 06:28 PM

The things I've found so far that it will need:

A lower oil cooler line, it's a bit wet

New axle boots.

Tie-rods on both side. Center link looks good still.

A new rear flex disc. Front looks to have been replaced.

Oil pan gasket, valve cover gasket, air cleaner to turbo elbow seals.

Things I've found that look really good so far:

Cooling system, all hoses are soft and new looking.

Belts look good.

Front flex disc.

Transmission mount is in great shape, probably new.

Motor mounts and shocks look to be working well.

Rear suspension stuff looks in decent shape.

Still no rust in sight! Except the battery tray. But no rust behind the tray.

Good window and door seals.