I'm looking a 87 300D. I have a few questions and observations for your consideration.
The car has a nice appearance, new tires, brakes and is overall in very good asthetic condition.
It has 170,000mi. the asking price is $3500.

I noticed as the car was started, the glow plugs took a rather long time to complete their cycle. on the order of 15 seconds (this may only 'seem' like a long time to me due to the fact that i own a 2000 vw TDI which glows for like half a millasecond)

It started well aside from that (40 degrees F outside today)

The car has plenty of power and the brakes are fully functional.

When we got out to swich, so i could drive, I noticed a rather unpleasant amount of lifter noise. The owner said he was running staight 30w motor oil non synthetic. I assumed that the thick oil was causing the lifter noise.

The gear selector is apparently missing some bushings and causes it to rattle unless posistioned just so.

No rust

Small abrasion under the rear drivers side door.

And finally my main concern... the car is reported to get only 16 miles per gallon. this is the whopper and the reason I am afraid to get the car.

Please tell me what you think. thank you.

-rob

I want better mileage

my opinion: always start with the odometer. they are notorious for going out of calibration. once you establish it is in good working order, move on to IP timing, dragging brakes, etc...

Unfortunately the car sold hours after I looked at it today. Now I'm bummed.