I purchased a TD with 627,000 miles on the original engine! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #1 09-29-2019, 04:27 PM

Yes you read it correctly. The guy I bought the car from put 450,000+ miles on the car in the past 15 years after buying the car from the original owner (original engine/trans). It has had several transmissions since then, but the engine is supposedly original, and has not been removed for a rebuild at any time since new. However, it is in need of a valve job at least. The valves have no adjustment left, so the valve seats replaced is probably the minimum the head needs. The car needs a major cleaning and interior refresh, but the body is pretty straight with only some fading paint on the hood and roof. The TD has the third row seat. I will probably change the wheels, but retain the fairly new tires. The car reportedly has new axles, recent brakes all around, rebuilt trans, and the most important of all= completely rebuilt SLS (rebuilt struts and valve, new spheres and pump). The plan is to clean and refresh the car from top to bottom, and front to back. That will include a rebuilt head, new motor mounts, fix oil leaks, clean engine/bay, change wheels, replace worn out upholstery and spring boxes, clean and dye the carpets, etc. Hopefully this will turn out to be a nice high mileage example TD........Rich

EDIT: Oh, and it needs a new windshield too!

R.Diesel · #2 09-29-2019, 04:47 PM

Cool! Good luck with it!

pawoSD · #3 09-29-2019, 05:39 PM

If the engine truly has 627k without any major servicing then I'd say it really needs to be opened up and gone through as all sorts of things like vacuum pump, timing chain, oil pump and chain/tensioners...all of it....are just a disaster waiting to happen.

Looks like a clean and well cared for W123 wagon though!

Stuff doesn't stay that clean around here!

ROLLGUY · #4 09-29-2019, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

If the engine truly has 627k without any major servicing then I'd say it really needs to be opened up and gone through as all sorts of things like vacuum pump, timing chain, oil pump and chain/tensioners...all of it....are just a disaster waiting to happen.

Looks like a clean and well cared for W123 wagon though!

Stuff doesn't stay that clean around here!

It is actually not as clean as it looks. It is filthy, and worn out inside. That will change though. I have a nice set of seat skins as well as a good spring box. The interior should clean up nicely. I will try to get and post some before and after photos.

Diesel911 · #5 09-29-2019, 11:13 PM

Opinion: If the Oil Cooler Hoses are seeping replace them before driving anymore.

t walgamuth · #6 09-29-2019, 11:25 PM

Rich you are a wild man!

I agree to check at least the chain guides and that pesky lower chain which is very much more likely to be worn than the main cam chain.

The benz oiling system though really takes care of the bearings with its high pressure and volumn. If cared for religiously the bottom end may still be very good.

vwnate1 · #7 09-29-2019, 11:40 PM

Looks like a good beginning Rich ! .

Keep us posted as you go along please .

ROLLGUY · #8 09-29-2019, 11:48 PM

The TD was part of a trade (and some $), so I probably only paid $500 for it if I figure what I had in the other car. For what the guy did recently in repairs, I'd say I did pretty good on the deal. Even if I have to put a couple grand into the car, it will be worth it. Even with the cost of a new windshield, a rebuilt head, and many hours of cleaning, I doubt I will come close to that. Other than a rough idle, a motor mount that is metal to metal, the car drives pretty good......Rich

97 SL320 · #9 09-30-2019, 06:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROLLGUY

It is actually not as clean as it looks. It is filthy, and worn out inside. That will change though. I have a nice set of seat skins as well as a good spring box. The interior should clean up nicely. I will try to get and post some before and after photos.

Clean as in 6 year old cars from road salt states look worse than 40 year old cars in your state.

wallbenz · #10 09-30-2019, 01:49 PM

I am looking for advise.

3 options to make daily driver.

85 300sd- 88k miles/clean in and out... midwest car- seeing some Rubber/joints/bushings that need help... around $6k

81 300sd-- 125k - clean in and out -- never been in salt/snow-- tons of $$$ put into by original owner (money to burn- inc- trans/ac system/ etc.)-- $10K
Needs- nothing at this point

or
2016-- e250 bluetec--$25k-- I will have diesel delete (cuz - I own heavy duty trucks- and the DPF's are a joke)

what will be the best/cheapest daily driver--
I have a backup car-- and a relatively cheap/reliable indy- that knows those old SD's very well!

any help- opinions/experience-- would be appreciated

GregMN · #11 09-30-2019, 02:17 PM

Of all of the parts that make up that car that have to keep working to get the odometer to show that mileage, I am most surprised that the odometer still works....

tmessenger · #12 09-30-2019, 05:10 PM

If you are in the Midwest check out this low mileage 1988 300D for 3k on facebook. If I hadn't just bought a low mileage 79 300D I be all over it.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/754460798339089/?surface=product_details

Quote:

Originally Posted by wallbenz

I am looking for advise.

3 options to make daily driver.

85 300sd- 88k miles/clean in and out... midwest car- seeing some Rubber/joints/bushings that need help... around $6k

81 300sd-- 125k - clean in and out -- never been in salt/snow-- tons of $$$ put into by original owner (money to burn- inc- trans/ac system/ etc.)-- $10K
Needs- nothing at this point

or
2016-- e250 bluetec--$25k-- I will have diesel delete (cuz - I own heavy duty trucks- and the DPF's are a joke)

what will be the best/cheapest daily driver--
I have a backup car-- and a relatively cheap/reliable indy- that knows those old SD's very well!

any help- opinions/experience-- would be appreciated

ROLLGUY · #13 09-30-2019, 08:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregMN

Of all of the parts that make up that car that have to keep working to get the odometer to show that mileage, I am most surprised that the odometer still works....

The previous owner fixed the odometer many miles after it failed to turn the numbers. He thinks it actually has several thousand more miles on the car than is shown on the odometer.

okyoureabeast · #14 09-30-2019, 09:00 PM

Highest priority is rust . I'd rather have a rust free car than a mechanically sound rust bucket. Especially the floor panels (underneath the sound deadening material) and the battery tray.

Easiest way to see this is by taking it to a car wash or using a hose to see where it leaks.

ROLLGUY · #15 09-30-2019, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by okyoureabeast

Highest priority is rust . I'd rather have a rust free car than a mechanically sound rust bucket. Especially the floor panels (underneath the sound deadening material) and the battery tray.

Easiest way to see this is by taking it to a car wash or using a hose to see where it leaks.

Thankfully this was a CA car, and there is no rust evident.