Got a nice 82 300SD, Somebody Pinch Me!

[ollo]

Background: seldom read diesel discussion since I sold my 240D. Got old & transitioned into having work done for me. I decided my W211 wagon & W220 sedan would see me out. Both good mechanically, but recent electronic problems left me in a loaner GLC while dealer sourced a rebuilt Mercedes part for the W220. Service writer advised "you should just sell these old cars & buy a new one". Told him GLC was really nice & quiet, handled great & I liked the brakes but I could make a long list of things I didn't like about it. Decided to find a W123 with decent interior and paint, plus an engine/trans that could 100k or so.

Made a ranked list of 5 in my area. #1 was a W126 claiming a "new engine". The poor pics showed a possibly good interior/exterior. Seller was prior owner's daughter & her husband. Dad gave her car in 2011 when he quit driving. Was used for a year as 2nd car, but they didn't like its noise, vibration & smell so parked it for 7 years with an annual 1 or 2 hour drive on country roads because they knew was bad to let it sit. Did do a couple oil changes during the 7 years. Asking $4800

Drove up to Battle Ground, WA expecting to find a $2000 car with a wrecking yard transplant engine.

2 people had looked at it previous day, but passed after a short drive. I put on coveralls & crawled underneath. CV axle boots looked good with no cracking, shocks looked new, lots of new rubber suspension parts, they had service records from dad's purchase in 99 through 2011 plus dads hand written journal. Zero rust apparent, original paint in very good condition, Mertex interior in Sienna was best condition I have seen for the mileage. (252,000)

Receipts show: front & rear window replaced, front is Mercedes, rear after market visually undetectable body and repaint near trunk lid. New engine/head from Rasmussen Mercedes at 215,000 mi in 2005 for $10,400 & Jan 2006 coolant pump replacement for $1800. Pump replaced under warranty Feb 2006 after CC and AC control burnout. Looks like dealer ate cost of CC, split labor + new radiator/hoses with owner (tech notes "installed 5 amp fuse in pump circuit per shop foreman).

Car so nice in & out now, was near showroom back in 99 but receipts & owners notes indicate engine NOT maintained well & had really low compression. Owner spent large $$ at dealer & inies trying to improve engine, then went new. Dad was a retired machinist in La Center, WA who had car repair business that also sold firearms & sporting goods.

Car started instantly, drove as expected after sitting 7 years. Sluggish off line, late turbo spinup, very harsh shifting, but everything (sunroof, cruise, windows, power seat) worked. Shifting & driveability got better during 45 min test drive. I only saw cracking on brake lines, lower ball joint rubber disintegrated, starting to rust, but no wear yet. Car tracked straight but quite a bit of play in steering wheel. It was around 80* F, AC blew cool, not cold.

It was Friday the 13th of September, but I didn't haggle, paid their price, parked my wagon at the local Wal Mart & drove my new diesel 86 miles home. Longer I drove her, the better she behaved. Hard to believe these kids didn't appreciate what dad gave them. Been hampered by having my home up for sale, but have replaced rubber brake lines, changed all the fluids but differential, had new lower ball joints done with a steering box adjust. New tires, new oil pressure sender, new coolant reservoir, and did a valve adjustment.

Front seats look good, with just 1 small bad spot on drivers bolster, but both have pleats starting to collapse. I got new Mertex front seat, arm rest & head rest covers at a sale price & a friend in town who used to work for Harrah's agreed to install them mid December. Think the old covers are good enough to sell used on the Bay for a few $$. Now have 255,000 miles showing, so ready for my 1st oil change & new engine is @ 40,000 miles. Just nicely broken in. Some recent pics. Don

[filp]

Congratulations! Looks clean

[ollo]

Thanks, I honestly never expected to find one so nice. I had an 81 300SD back in the 90's,but it wasn't nice as this one, mostly due to leather starting to show small cracks & wear.

Had the R134 AC system recharged locally after checking around. Their machine was automated, showed removed .4 lb, with full charge of 2.1 lb. Surprised it still blew cool with so little refrigerant.

Last pic shows a new Mercedes gas cap I swapped for the black plastic one. Never liked the plastic ones, but metal were NLA for a long time. Just recently read of the gas cap substitution. Fits and works fine, but handle doesn't line up fore & aft with valve cover like the old ones did. Still has the star tho & goes better with the engine.

Radio & power antenna both worked but grew sporadic right away. Installer said the antenna had frozen up so I put in a new one along with a refurbished, newer Becker like those used in W140 and W124. Had the model in a E420 and liked it better than this 1982 one that was on its last legs. Don

[ROLLGUY]

I'd say you did well. That super rare interior color is the "icing on the cake" in my opinion. Enjoy it!

[t walgamuth]

Looks very nice! Right color for you too!

[GTStinger]

Beautiful find.

[ollo]

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Looks very nice! Right color for you too!

Matches my hair! (white)

[t walgamuth]

hah hah!

[wschotty]

Wow, that is a beauty, and with a new engine! That is quite a car for that price.

[biopete]

Nice! The w116 300sd is one of my all time favorites if not my favorite. If I could have only one , i think I would go with that one over any other.

[Father Of Giants]

It really does pay to save for a nice example.

[ollo]

Originally Posted by biopete

Nice! The w116 300sd is one of my all time favorites if not my favorite. If I could have only one , i think I would go with that one over any other.

W116 were from 1972-1980. Our 1st two Benz were a 73 280 sedan(W114), then a 76 280S(W116), both had twin cam M110 engine. I know their strengths/weaknesses. Parts for either are problematic today, so I would hesitate to use one as a driver. But, think this W126 is tops for a classic driver parts wise. They're a natural, more refined evolution of earlier models. Mine is well beyond what I expected at a good price. Have seen a few nice 114/115/116 models for sale over the years but always with big $$$ price tag.

[okyoureabeast]

I love the SDs. Never was a fan of the US spec headlights, but I've seen cheap w126 euro drop ins that are gorgeous.

Super jealous, she's a pretty ride! You'll be riding that for the next century.

[WDBCB20]

Great find! Good move buy!

[vwnate1]

Looks like you did very well here .

I too like the seat color .