Any 300 series design flaws
 

I'm interested in buying a 300-series diesel from the 1980's (most likely a D, SD or SDL). I was wondering if there was a particular model/year that I should stay away from due to design flaws or factory defects. Any help would be great

The only one I'm really aware of is the 350 SDL. Although I'm sure I might find someone who disagrees with me on this. Give it a bit more time, and you'll have some great responses coming in. Good luck.

Jason

1985 300D. Can't get much better.

air con
 

I agree, the a/c system is about the only weak spot on an older M-B diesel (or gas for that matter)- our 84 TD that had the entire system redone 5 years ago, just quit blowing cold air- compressor seized. Open the roof and windows now I guess...

Other smaller considerations:

Get manual door locks if you can, electrical central locking systems are failure prone after 20 years and costly to repair (with my Jaguar, I just take heart that I live in a relatively low crime area...). My 300SD at any rate has a clever feature the driver's door cannot be locked other than by using the key outside, a great precaution against locking the keys inside (and doubly important, as they are the only keys I have for this car).

Roll-down windows would be nice but probably rare on a luxury car from the 1980s, and I personally have not yet had any problems with electrical windows, they do not seem nearly as failure prone as electrial locks.

Unless the car has been ridden in very little and has been kept garaged, vinyl seats beat leather after 20 years unless you are lucky enough to find rip-free leather which you can easily restore with products available on the market.

Notice I have mentioned the interior items--my experience has been engines and transmissions are far cheaper than bodywork and particularly interior parts and work!

This site was mentioned in another thread...

http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/cars/problems/tsb/service1.cfm?SearchTopic=Vehicle

you could just look through the subjects for all the 300's in that... also.....

alldata.com

has lists of tsb's and recalls for various vehicles.....