Need Advice before buying 300D Turbo
 

So I have been looking at the 300D Turbos for the last year and my old car has suddenly died! ARGH! The good news is I have found a car and the price is right but I wanted to ask some questions about it's defects to know if I am looking at things which are indicators of major problems or if they are things which can be fixed and not break the bank on this car. So, in my test drive I noted the following: shifting is rough when the turbo is not kicked in, shifts much better when you are giving it more fuel as opposed to creeping along. When I got back off the highway, I noticed more of a shake to the car with the engine at idle than before I had warmed it up. Finally, I opened the hood and noticed a good bit of oil on the top of the block around what I am presuming is the throttle assembly. There was smoking as well in this area. Also noticed fluid (fuel?) around the 3rd and 5th cylinder tops where the fuel lines enter the block...sorry, don't know the name of the part that looks not unlike a brass cap over a sparkplug. Otherwise, the car is in ok physical shape, small spots of rust at the back of the rear wheel-wells (on the surface, not inside the well) and a spot on the passengers door which I would assume indicates a stopped up door drain and the clear coat is gone. The vacuum locks don't work (no real surprise from what I have read), but all of the windows work smoothly and quietly as does the sunroof. The fan works, but given the temperature today I was not able to get a clear assesment of the AC condition. I have no paperwork showing service history and the mileage is 297k. So, I am putting this question to the forum and looking for people's advice.

Thanks,
Mark

If it sounds like a good deal... then I suggest you wash the engine with the engine cold... and call someone like LemonBusters..... IF that oil on the engine took 297 k to get there that is very different from getting there every 100 miles... but an independant service will give you an indication of stuff that is not seeable on the outside.. like if that shake is due to one or more cylinders being low on compression...a major deal.. or just fuel timing and engine shocks worn out.... etc.... good luck,,,, :) Greg

I'd bet that the poor shifting is probably vacuum-related, since you said there's a problem with the locks. If you get all the vacuum leaks fixed, your transmission should shift properly, or at least much better.

Mike