Hello All!

I am looking at my first MB diesel purchase and wanted to get some ideas of what I "should" look for. The one I am going to look at Friday is an '85 300TD wagon. According to the seller it has less than 200k miles and "runs fine".

Not that I'm not a trusting guy or anything, but I don't know anything about diesels in particular. Other than obvious things like parts haning or what-have-you, what pointers can I get from all you experts?

Thanks for any help!!!!!

kma

Welcome to the site--I have learned much here--you can, too.
First use the search function--this has been discussed many times. You may have to try several searches until you hit the right wording, but keep at it, the rewards are great.
In a nutshell 123 chasis cars have few problems-- climate control is one, and water leaks/ rust is the other.
The engines/trannys/ overall mechanicals, are BULLETPROOF!
Other items come up because the cars don't die at typical mileages--one of these is the driver's seat. Most cars are long in the junk yards before seats wear out. Not the Mercedes! When you sit in the seat pay attention whether the seat is straight and level. Compare it to the front passenger seat. If there is a difference figure on replacing it, or rebuilding it.

also the odometer quits and the cruise control usually will not work...but these engines really are great..but welcome to the Mercedes Diesel world.. there is more info on this forum than any manual you can buy..

__________________
2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

Hey guys, does this thing have the self-leveling suspension? If so, someone needs to advise him of how to check it and what the potential repair costs are? I am certainly no expert, but he might want to be careful about this one.

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Dave

1982 300D
352,000 miles

123 yada yada yada self leveling blah blah blah.

Take the car to MBAutowerks for a pre-purchase inspection!!!

Welcome to the Mercedesshop Diesel Discussion forum. This website is sponsored by the owners of MBAutowerks, which is in Atlanta. Take the car there before you buy it and they'll give you the skinny. Many of us around the country wish we had such a good shop so close by. MBAutowerks

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Ohtooman, unless it's a euro car it most likely has SLS.


kashbaugh,
How much are they asking for this vehicle?

You should check for the following:
1) Rust under doors and in the floor boards (pull up carpet and look underneath car for rusted out panels)

2) Unusual driveline vibrations under acceleration and at speed (should be rock steady and no buzzing, vibrations or unusual noises)

3) Look for evidence of leaks at the sunroof (if leaking it may be nothing more than a clogged drain but can be much worse- see this: Leaking may not be due to windshield gasket)

4) If you buy it, make sure you get the roof rack cross pieces (replacment cost $200+)

5) Smooth shifting, no flaring or blown shifts

6) No delay shifting into reverse

7) Check for excessive blow-by (do search on this forum for more info on blow-by)

8) Check self-leveling suspension. Do it this way: Find 3-4 'plus-sized' friends. Open the rear hatch, have friends all sit in the rear cargo area. Measure distance from top of rear bumper to ground. Start engine, let run. Now, measure distance from top of rear bumper to ground. Distance should be greater than it was before you started the engine.

9) Inspect rear suspension (shocks and accumulators) components for leaking hydraulic fluid. If there are any leaks come back to this forum and search on "TD Suspension, hydraulic suspension or SLS" or PM me and we'll go from there.

Obviously, there are many other things that you should take into consideration. What I've listed here is the significant things I could quickly think of.

IMHO, the W123 chassis TD has to be one the finest road cars ever built. Mine's absolutely quirky as hell but I love her dearly.


Good luck,
R Leo

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

My old mechanic has an 81TD. He has used the thing like a truck for years. His SLS has been shot since he got the beast; he just aimed his headlights lower.

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Dave

1982 300D
352,000 miles

Hello Again, All!

I've learned much from your replies and recommendations. I feel much more confident now about going to look at this car!!!!

To answer R Leo, he is asking $2,000 for it. I don't know how "real" that is, but will know much more after I see it.

Rick, I am also gonna take your advice about MBA. I figure it's much better to pay someone that knows what they're doing than muck it up myself!

Again, thanks for all your help so far. If I buy the thing I'll probably be wearing you out with "how-to" questions!

kma

I think 2K is a give away price for a good 85 TD.......
William Rogers......

Kashbaugh, if you get the chance post some pics of your vehicle once you get it.

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Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)