Buying a 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 05-30-2002, 03:56 PM

How much should I pay for a 300D? My friend at the dealership says he can get me a good Mercedes diesel (most likely a 300D) for 2500 dollars. For this amount of money, how much mileage should the car have? This is going to be my son's first car. Is this a good first car? I see many repair posts, most say their good cars, but will this thing burn holes in my pocket for repairs if in good condition? I can do most of my own work.(used to work exclusively on Volkswagen Beetles, many repairs there..) Will this be more reliable transportation than lets say a Honda Civic of the same period. I am just curious if this a good daily driver, or more of a car to tinker with. Thanks very much.

#2 05-30-2002, 06:55 PM

My cautioness ( don't remember if that's a word) is because of my lack of ownership on german automobiles. The only one I owned was a VW Beetle, and to put it bluntly, it was a pain in the a**. This was the second car my father bough me during the gas crunch days, and it was so horrible. Tinkering tinkering. I just don't want to get screwed. I made a big step in the year 2001 when I traded in my Chevy Cavalier (crackd head) and bought a Honda Accord V6. I dont want my kid to have the same disappoint I did lol. Never really had as much respect for German engineering after the Bug. I always thought of a Mercedes as an extremely expensive tinkerers car, for those with lots of money, but I checked out diesels, and all I seem to hear is about there great reliability. Just don't want to get screwed with a marvelous piece of German enginerering that sits in my backyard garage as I constantly repair everything on it. I know these cars arent, but I don't want to be to zealous. Bad Bug flashbacks, I guess thats all lol.

engatwork · #3 05-30-2002, 07:35 PM

Parts for the MB diesel are no more than for a Honda. We have had a Honda product in the family since around 1987 and have never kept one past around 150k miles. I find them to be nice cars but without the "soul" of a MB diesel. I am of the opinion that the Hondas are downright boring.

84300DT · #4 05-30-2002, 07:52 PM

Kyle, all what TXBill said and I'll add - just think , YOU will be able to sleep at night knowing your child is in one of the safest cars on the road today.

As you can see I have also owned many VW's but none compare to the solid feeling of a 300D.

The Warden · #5 05-30-2002, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by TXBill
What you ideally want is a car that checks out thoroughly by a Mercedes technician that KNOWS diesels. Seems there are plenty of Mercedes techs that don't know squat about the diesels, or not as much as the owner/operators of these cars on this site.

Two questions. First, what's the best way to go about finding a diesel-knowledgable tech? I ask 'cause I have to find one in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, and it looks like I'll need to find one around San Diego as well, depending on what this '75 my girlfriend wants looks like.

Second, what exactly is a PPI?

Thanks! IMHO my judgement's okay, but I've been burned a couple times before and don't wanna take another risk...

The Warden · #6 05-31-2002, 11:53 AM

Bill, thanks! I'll wait 'till it's closer to time to go out there...I still don't know when it's gonna happen; hopefully the van'll go on eBay next week...I'm pretty close to getting my pickup running

zachv · #7 05-31-2002, 12:35 PM

Just to put in my two cents, I would like to tell of my history with 300D Mercedes.

I saw one for sale a little over two years ago and offered the guy a lowball figure-AND HE TOOK IT! An '85 300D Turbo w/ 150k miles that was in great shape. I picked it up and that was my first. I expected it to be like my other previous vehicles, including a VW, and need many repairs, but since owning it I have only done normal maintenance, and lots of tires due to bad alignment. Nothing abnormal or expensive has broken and the thing runs like a champ for my wife. In short, I believe these cars are a major contributing factor for the high reputation for the Mercedes line.

Last week, I came across an '82 300D with 250k miles and took a drive in it. It is just as tight as the '85, runs clean, and is in pretty good shape-bodywise. The guy sold it to me for $600!! So now I have two. I had to put brakes and a battery in it so far, and intend to do a full tune up and tires. I will have less than $1500 in it and expect to not do anything else, but maintenance, for atleast three years. Compared to $300-$400 a month car payment I have a better and safer car,IMHO, that is saving me a decent penny.

If I could get one of these things to last until my child will be driving I would not hesitate to put them in one at all. That will be 17 years from now since my wife is not due until November. I doubt my 300Ds will still be around, but neither would a Honda

#8 05-31-2002, 03:19 PM

Hey thanks for comments! I have caught the fever. My friend at the dealer hasnt responded, but I have found on in classifies. Mercedes 300CD. Blue green color exterior. MB Tex interior. 180K miles. Says "In fair condition." He wants 900 dollars.....good deal?

Also, are there any unique problems with the 300CD? They have the same engine and components as the 300D, so are they just as reliable and great?

#9 05-31-2002, 04:30 PM

Kyle,
Here is my rookie $.02
Two months ago I was in the same predicament you are faced with. I wanted to buy a good, dependable car, outright. I was looking at the ’87-’90 Accords & Camrys.
I came across some MB 300’s in the paper & I started doing some research.
I had never owned an MB before, but I do have good repair knowledge about older cars.
I looked at several cars, being cautious on one hand, and on the other realizing that buying any used car is basically a crap-shoot. I had made up my mind however that I did not want to buy from any dealership. (No offense, just my own hang-up) I found a 1980 300D with over 300K miles on it about 40 miles out from where I live, in a rural area. (most of Texas)lol !
The guy wanted $2000 firm, I drove the car, I took of for a PPI at a local diesel guy in town, and made the decision to buy. I gave the guy $1600 cash, and he took it.

While the car is not mint, it needed a paint job and the AC doesn’t work, but I feel that I have done well. I have already driven 2000 miles on the car and I feel it is very dependable. I have fixed almost all of the things that were cosmetic, and I have learned a lot about Mercedes. The one thing that I know now, is that I have really missed out on owning a great car before now. I am planning on buying another by Christmas, hopefully one with AC. I also know that I will be able to keep this car running because parts are readily available, and there is a tremendous amount of support here. I also feel that I have possibly made some friends along the way, as I am now part of a special brotherhood! I have attached some links to some pics of my car.

Robert

http://home.attbi.com/~frickfamily/mb-1.jpg

http://home.attbi.com/~frickfamily/mb-2.jpg

http://home.attbi.com/~frickfamily/mb-3.jpg