Y'know, I come to this site every day, but have had very little to say over here in the Diesel Discussion board as of late.

This is a good thing, 'cause that means that I haven't been having any trouble with my 300D. Other than replacing the one rebuilt axleshaft that went bad, at no charge, I haven't needed to do anything (other than preventative maintenance and general putzing arund that I tend to do, such as the throttle linkage and some minor interior stuff) to my car since January.

This car has thus far proven to be a very good purchase, and I'm very happy with her performance. If she keeps up with this, hopefully I'll be able to finally get the guide rod mounts and those fuel lines done, then she'll be in great shape as far as the drivetrain and suspension go.

I know that, due to the nature of this board (tech help for diesels), sometimes you don't really hear the "good" stories, so I thought I'd share.

Keep on dieselin'

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

Sounds like me -- except for the mysterious total loss of electrical power on the 280 SE (probably a loose battery cable at the starter, the battery ends are tight now) and the rear suspension links on the 300D, nothing going on (the Volvo is out for the count, won't start, but that isn't really germane to this forum).

I drive a Benz every day, the AC works, I'm cool.

I still need to put the front subframe bushings in the 280, the 300D needs the rest of the rear links and subframe mounts and the AC fixed, but none of this requires posting, just doing. I plan to get ALL the links for the 300D -- the new ones are beefier, they don't cost that much, and I'd just as soon do it all at once and be done with it. I'm going to drop the rear subframe out, replacing the mounts is WAY too much trouble lying on my back on the floor under the car. I can use air tools with the subframe out, and since I have to drop the diff anyway, why not just take the subframe down and get it over with? I figure Sept. or Oct. I'll need to do the same next year on the TE, it's getting noisy back there, but no torque steer problems yet.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

I agree we all need to hear the good stuff. There's nothing wrong with posting technical questions, afterall that's what this board is for, but it's nice to discuss other stuff too. Heck right now I'm battling with a rusted floor on the passenger side of my 300D, but I'm optimistic and will take care of it. In fact I love my 300D so much that I recently sold my new Civic because I drove the Benz more anyway. Before that I had a new Corvette which I sold for the same reason. Call me crazy but I love the W123 diesel more than any other car.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Yeah... need some good stories and not just problems. Brag if you need to!

Let me start...

I just washed both my diesel and E420 and ... I'm serious.. the 300CD just looks nicer! The headlights, the elegant C-Pillar and trunk, the window frame (pillarless)...oh and the big chrome grille!

too bad the front lower spoiler now have a hole in it! damn NE winters!!!!!!!!!

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

I really give you guys credit that have the patience(and in some cases resources) to keep these cars running. I ran out of time, money, and patience with my car, but i really hope it goes to a good home and someone who can figure out some of my wacko wiring(hahahha, i have pity on that persons soul, i dont think i could even re-figure out what i did in some places....) Good work guys, the old mercedes certainly are beautifuland it's already known that they will have that classic look forever.

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

I'm probably still in the honeymoon phase with my Benzos (hehe, I guess denial aint' a river in Egypt!)...I've had no really significant problems so far (believe me, I've racked-up the miles on Marlene!!) and, most importantly, SWMBO hasn't been stranded by her 300D.

But, from the beginning I've been committed to getting my two MBZ up to an established level of maintenance. Fluids, valve adjustment and simply keeping up with the niggling little stuff is just part of the responsiblity that goes along with using 20+ year old cars as daily drivers.

IMHO, there are two things that are a sure bet to put your soft, pink body on the side of the road.
1) Inattention to belts
2) Inattention to the cooling system

I subscribe to the notion that if you maintain these two systems regularly and comprehensively you will eliminate something like 90% of your roadside breakdowns (don't ask how I know this).

Consequently, both Lilly and Marlene are scheduled for full cooling system refits. Citrus flush, all hoses replaced and gin-yoo-wine MBZ coolant installed. While I'm in there, I'll reinforce that under engineered inlet neck on the radiator too.

It's a lot of work and inconvience to own and maintain the old Benzos but, every once in a while there's a payoff.

The other day, I sold the '92 S-10 Blazer that I've been driving for the last 8 1/2 years. I dropped by my insurance agent's office to cancel the coverage on that vehicle and the clerk questioned why I was canceling the NEWEST car in my fleet.

"Well," I said, "because the two that are 20 years old, are simply much better cars."

Regards all,
R Leo

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I havn't posted much either in the Diesel Discussion in the past few months, I havn't really even been looking at posts over here. People always have the same problems that I have posted on several threads with the same problem, several times . I mostly post on the Open Dissusion board these days. Oh, and with my new job in the Lumber Yard, I doubt I will be posting a whole lot anymore since I will be working alot, then be sleeping alot from all the hard work I will be doing...

....is running so well now, resplendent in its manganese brown livery, that I have finally decided to tackle replacing the leaking intake manifold gaskets, air plenum doughnuts and injector seals on the 380SLC. Talk of high labor content! All motivated by a failed CA smog test, as the air leaks were confusing the mixture control.

Look out for pix soon on my site - if I tell you there will be some one hundred of these that will give some sense of the labor involved.

Nice topic Warden - by its nature, this board addresses problems most of the time, so we tend to overlook just how relaible these old vehicles are.

My E300 is fabulous!

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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

My two OM603's are running strong.. Can't kill 'em, even the 350 never gives up.

My sister's '87 300D is running better every day,
My previous car, an '84 SD, is still running strong with 342K miles on the odo. Just saw it a couple days ago. Paint still shines well!

Bit of bad news, though. My first car, a W123 300D, has rusted out beyond recognition (owner never waxed it). Last time I heard, it was in an accident (owner slammed into a trailer truck). It burns me up though.
When I owned it I kept the car pristine!

Makes me choke when I think about it,

Oh, well

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

I have been sort of holding my breath for the past couple of weeks as I have almost 500 miles on the rebuild. Had a few oil leaks due to holes in the front of the engine that I should have put bolts into on assembly. Its running fine now , using no oil so I will go back to Amsoil in another 1K and maybe quit pooping the hood every time I stop to check her. It really is nice to drive a car with all the stuff like clutch and radiator new, its an experience I,ve never had

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

STEVO

It's going to be hard to keep it looking good if you don't stop pooping that hood....

Wes

Wes....... When ever I tell someone about my screw up of leaving some plugs and bolts out that the machine shop took out, they tell me a story of "ol so and so that put the pistons in backwards, or what ever, lots of stories about screw ups, engines becoming "door stops"...so I don't feel too bad about a few oil leaks. I,m starting to turn up the radio and not worry about "listening" for strange sounds.

Maybe I should start a thread asking for "automotave screw up " stories,

Steve

Steve

Don't do it!!

I'll never find the time to post all of my screw-ups.

One day when I was leaving my local parts supplier, I made the off-hand remark that I'd be back as soon as I broke something else. He responded, "See you in a little while."

Actually, it's not that bad, but I've had my share of trial and error repair jobs. I think you learn more that way (if you can stand the extra expense).

Cheers,
Wes