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  #1  
Old 01-11-2021, 10:51 AM
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Question on 93 300D

Not sure if this is the right place to put this post...
I'm looking hard at 1993 300D, with 211K miles on it.

I'm looking at this as a kids car for my 17 year old. I can't inspect the car in person :| because it's an online auction and I missed the preview window. But the carfax looks great and I talked to a friend who is GM at the local MB dealership and he says it's fully serviced by the MB dealership where the vehicle is located. The last service was at 207K miles.


I'm leery because I can't see it in person first, but I think I want to go for it if I can get it at the right price.


Just want some thoughts on whether this is something to pursue or run away from.
thoughts?

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  #2  
Old 01-11-2021, 11:43 AM
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1987, 1991-1993 300D are best diesel years car to buy. It is a turbo 5 cyl om602. However, I would be cautious to buy it from auction sight unseen. Don't get emotional and stick to your budget.

Be prepare to spend another $2k+ to fix up a 28 years old car.
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W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
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1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.
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  #3  
Old 01-11-2021, 01:10 PM
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Those are great cars. I personally like the w126 diesels but that’s just me.
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  #4  
Old 01-11-2021, 01:49 PM
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Low mileage for that car is a good sign, as is dealer service. These cars are service-intensive but great drivers and very safe as well as fuel-efficient. Is your child excited about this possibility? It may be more your dream. If the price is attractive I don't see a lot of downside
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  #5  
Old 01-11-2021, 03:39 PM
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That was the first car for our son when he was 17...a 92. He scoffed at it at first because it was a used car with a lot of miles. Then he started getting lots of compliments from his classmates! He then went to a 99 E300, then a 98 E300....but now drives a CR-V!

As long as it doesn't have a lot of deferred maintenance, go for it at the right price. Just prepare yourself to spend money on maintenance in the future.

One thing to note. In 93 there was a production run where there were timing chain issues. For details see http://www.w124performance.com/docs/mb/OM60X/OM60x_Timing_Chain_TSB.pdf.
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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
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Last edited by shertex; 01-11-2021 at 06:10 PM.
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  #6  
Old 01-11-2021, 07:23 PM
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So my son is excited about it, his friend whose a gear head told him it's an awesome classic. (17 year olds know everything ya know).

Thanks everyone, I won the auction, hopefully this isn't an Oh what have I done moment . Paying 2,300 for it and pick it up on thursday.
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  #7  
Old 01-11-2021, 08:43 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by vikingGoalie View Post
So my son is excited about it, his friend whose a gear head told him it's an awesome classic. (17 year olds know everything ya know).

Thanks everyone, I won the auction, hopefully this isn't an Oh what have I done moment . Paying 2,300 for it and pick it up on thursday.
Great to hear! Let us know what questions you have as you get to know it...lots of folks on this forum glad to help.
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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife
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  #8  
Old 01-11-2021, 09:44 PM
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Went through almost the same thing last month with a '83 300SD. The boy has his learners permit and will drive the Benz at the drop of a hat while actively pushing back if I ask him if he wants to drive my '01 Maxima. He'll drive it but says it's too easy.

Michael
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  #9  
Old 01-12-2021, 02:51 AM
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Properly serviced at a dealer on a regular basis. It probably is in good condition. You would not pay those service bills on a bad car.
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  #10  
Old 01-12-2021, 07:21 AM
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1991 300D 2.5 Turbo
 
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I picked up a '91 300D a few years back. One owner. 113,000 miles. Sight unseen in a city over 200 miles from me. It had been sitting (driven infrequently) for 2-3 years, iirc. Truly one the best cars I've ever owned. I've had to do some maintenance stuff (shocks, struts, fuel filters, tires, tie rod, flex disc, brakes, muffler, belt tensioner) in the first 18 months of ownership, but it was "daily driveable" right out of the gate. Heck, even the AC worked after putting in some r12.

Not a bad car for a teen... enough power to get on the highway but not so much power as to be a temptation.
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  #11  
Old 01-13-2021, 11:59 AM
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so got my hands on the actual carfax.
oil was changed every 5K miles (at dealer)
alternater was replaced at 182K.
thermostat replaced at 166K
glow plugs were last sevice, they were changed at 207K miles in 2018.
2 owners, but the second owner had it from 96 until now.
I think it was regularly run/maintained until the last year or so and then his estate went up for sale. I'll put up some pics once I get it tomorrow.
I plan on changing out the oil this weekend. Maybe the tranny fluid but gotta research that part.

@Bengoshi2000 I like that you named your 300D "Rocinante" the expanse is an awesome series..
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  #12  
Old 01-13-2021, 12:45 PM
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Changing all fluids would be a good idea so that you have a baseline.
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14 E250 Bluetec "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 153k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 171k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver, 142k mi, wastegate conversion

19 Honda CR-V EX 61k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife
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  #13  
Old 01-22-2021, 10:21 PM
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Ok I finally have the vehicle in my possession. There was an issue where the auctioneer didn't verify a clean title. That had to be cleared up before I took possession, that got settled and I have it in my name now.


So I just drove it home and had a couple of questions and a few observations, pics I'll put up over the weekend when it's light out to take them.


So first question is the oil pressure gauge, what's normal here. I think from some of my reading was normal but just gotta ask.
So with engine warm, at idle or below 2K rpms really the pressure gauge is in the middle (0 is bottom 3 is top). As soon as rpms go above 2k the needle goes to the top of the gauge (3). The engine doesn't sound abnormal or anything, I do know the oil needs changed as I checked it and that oil looked awful on the dip stick. Just black as black can be. It was getting dark and I had to get the vehicle home so just said screw it and drove it home.



second question is on performance.
what's "normal" on a 300D 2.5 turbo? I believe the engine needs basically just all the fluids changed out, I will examine but regardless change both fuel filters and inspect the air filter and most likely just change regardless.

When I first took off the vehicle was *really* sluggish. The engine fires right up. But the acceleration was almost at the it's not safe to pull out in traffic level.
Now... It did get a good bit better after I put some fresh diesel in it and drove it a bit. I had to drive about 60 miles home, over an Appalachian mountain and up a highway. While it was pokey then car didn't really have any issue going over the mountain nor cruising at highway speeds. Though you have to floor it to get any sort of "acceleration" out of it. I suspect a clogged fuel filter but dunno yet. Any suggestions on something I'm not thinking of? (i.e. outside of filters and fluids).


an observation, this car was this guy's cream puff. inside is in great shape, I think the outside is in good shape and will clean up really well. The steering is still precise, the suspension is tight. The car handles and rides far better then a 28 year old car aught to. anyhoo pictures forthcoming...
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  #14  
Old 01-23-2021, 04:21 AM
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Oil pressure gauge is acting normally.

This car should be able to do 0 to 60 in about 13 seconds. Yes, I would start with fuel filters.
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  #15  
Old 01-23-2021, 04:31 AM
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I will add that boost issues can be tricky to diagnose on this car. One of the advantages of doing the wastegate conversion is that it eliminates a lot of the potential culprits.

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