I stepped away from the post for a few days and 3 pages later OMG. I find how this thread has twisted and turned to be very entertaining LOL. This is not my first Mercedes, it is my first diesel, but not the first one in my family. This is one of 6 cars and will be nothing but a toy, if by chance it turns out to be a train wreck as some think it is will be, then so be it, I don't care, will just move on. I have spent a lot of money on my 420SEL (also a toy) and honestly until I get tired of it will continue to keep it running it brings me so much enjoyment. I suspect this new car will be the same (bring me lots of enjoyment and I sure some frustration). I went into this purchase with open eyes and know what I am up against (age, hidden rust and OMG who knows what...). I will think hard before posting on here again as this was a very negative experience - I just wanted some folks to share in my excitement and evidently some find that annoying, well life is to short to be sucked into so much negativity so I am signing off here for a while.

I do honestly appreciate the well wishes, the future will bring what it brings, I took the risk (as we all do with any purchase like this), I did however make it with open eyes, no unrealistic expectation and a lot of research etc.

My '85 is like that. I have been all over this car, and haven't seen any rust.

I paid $800 for it, because it "didn't run" - dead battery. Well, and the paint is ugly.

It will stay rust free in AZ.

The rubber is in good shape, too. It was well maintained. I have records to prove it, back to '86.

Just saying. Your situation, is not his situation, or my situation.

There's simply no need to drag someone down because you've had trouble with old cars and decided to ditch them for something new.

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1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

Since this is your first diesel, take a look at the link in my signature. Lots of how-to guides for new diesel Benz owners.

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1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

Yeah, the latest mod incarnation seems to be negative, okay, that's not fair. Just seems too much latitude is tolerated.

Perhaps it's possible to find a different forum, try Mercedes-Benz Forum

Enjoy your car, feel free to PM me.

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83 SD

84 CD

Owning and actually driving one "50-100 average every day," is "$200.00 to $300.00" a month easy. Anyone that doesn't spend that much is either not driving it much, deferring maintenance and living with broken/non-working things, or doing all their own labor on it. Nothing's for nothing, as some seem to try to have others believe.

^ Give me a break, I, as all folks with these cars, have issues, of course, but spending that kind of coin per month? PER MONTH!!! That's not realististic!

Where are the mods?

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83 SD

84 CD

So, now you've resorted to name calling those you disagree with?

I didn't write that to which you responded to in your post.

I'm thinking your lack of reading comprehension may be at work here?

Just saying. Your situation may not be his situation, or my situation.

There's simply no need to drag someone down because they didn't write that which you thought you were responding to.

Well aren`t you the barer of Sunshine. Wow, talk about raining on someone`s parade.

Note: click on the box, pic didn`t show.


436 × 640 - flickr.com




First time I heard the members are tired of the excitement of someone sharing their new ride.

Talk about pulling the rug out from some one`s feet. Yikes.!!!!!

All cars are a money pit, new or old.

Iam still excited about our 80 240D we have had 4 1/2 yrs, almost 371K miles and is not a money pit. It is our daily driver, and doesn`t cost $200 - $300 a month to operate. She isn`t anything special, just ivory with bamboo interior. Although, from time to time there is some maintenance that needs to be done. Tires, brakes, fluid flush, oil changes etc.......


I can not believe the negativity in this thread. Now if the OP was asking to have his new 300D picked apart to see what we could find, that is another thing. I guess it is a bad thing to share what we have accomplished and or express any excitement or happiness here. too bad.


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Nice looking W123, finding good one`s this many years into their lives, is getting more difficult.
Looks like you scored. Drive her and enjoy the ride.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

Oh if I had an extra 200-300$ a month, I could soooo spend it on both my cars a month...

As it stands, I just fix what needs to be fixed....sometimes I can go many months before anything needs fixing, sometimes only a few....just completed a 5500mile trip and nothing went wrong on my car except a torn axle boot that was cracked before I left...

I drive my cars many miles probably 200 miles a month....and I have nothing to worry about....

Yes I am also going over the cars with a fine tooth comb so I know whats what....

They are great cars, I take good care of them and they take care of me.....they are a huge huge labor of love and if you have extra money, you will be spending every cent on them.....always something that needs replacing..

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Wow this thread is a wild ride. No wonder the OP got spooked.
Just to clarify where I was coming from. I certainly wasn't trying to give the impression that these cars are not great value if well cared for. My 2-300 a month 'shooting from the hip' number included purchase price of a old Benz, and all maintenance. Most of which we perform ourselves. But some of which we can't. That's one of the appeals. Most people don't perform self maintenance on their newer car.
Heck. I put an average of $300 a month in diesel alone in mine. My point was ONLY meant that you get a much sweeter ride for less than a modern car. And I stick by it.

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1981 300TD
1985 300TD

This is not OD. This is for technical discussion related to Diesels. Any non technical discussion should be kept to a minimum or moved to OD.

Well technically I am now able to do everything on my car as it has invaded my life and living situations

Okay Okay I will shut up now....

Back to dinner and a movie in the back seat

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I spent $1200 replacing all of the big ticket items on my MINI and I haven't spent more than $20-30 a month on it for little things for upkeep and oil changes. I hope it doesn't catch fire tomorrow!!!