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  #1  
Old 07-26-2003, 12:54 PM
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Location: st paul, mn
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considering a 300sd

I went and looked at a 300SD for sale locally, I am looking for something a little bigger than the 300d for road trips with my wife and 3 kids.
I got some questions:
the motor is shaky at idle speed, the owner has a new motor mount for the drivers side. It is even shakier than my 300d. Do the turbo engines idle rougher than non-turbo?

The 2-3 shift is really fast, it only stays in second for a couple seconds or less and goes hard into gear. I understand that there is a vacuum operated doohickey that is supposed to modulate the shifting. Does this thing get clogged up and/or will a vacuum leak cause this too? The door locks work, they all unlocked with the drivers door with the car sitting in the driveway before I started it.

What is an AC compressor going to cost? is it a DIY thing or best to pay a shop for this? I have never messed with AC, most of the cars I have had either did not have it , or it did not work, but on this one it would be nice, since it is a lot quiter at 75mph with the windows up.

There are the beginnings of some rust, but just bubbles - most '81 vintage cars around here would be about 1/2 gone by now.
He is asking $3500, which seems like a reasonable place to start. any answers and opinions are very welcome.
thanks, Andy

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Old 07-26-2003, 01:02 PM
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The turbo engine should not shake anymore than the non. Motor mounts may be a start. You should be able to inspect the mounts and determine how badly they are worn. Severe shaking can be caused by injection pump issues or one or more cylinders being alot lower on compression than the others. The compressor is pretty easy to change and new compressors (Delco A4) can be picked up pretty reasonably from any discount auto house. If you do resurrect the a/c don't install a used compressor, only go with a new one.

I like my 300SD alot just for the reasons that you stated you are looking for one. Nothing like it on the freeway at 70+ mph.
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Old 07-26-2003, 04:30 PM
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If you do get it, try to stay with the R12. You have to get a license to buy it (only $20, EPA 609 certification), but it can be bought fairly cheap on ebay. It is up to you if you want to do the work yourself or not, it is doable with the right tools. You can just take it to a shop for pump down, or if you have a good air compressor you can get a venturi pump.

I've never really cared for the looks of the W126, I've always thought my W123 is almost to long, but the W126 would make a superb highway driver.

How many miles on it?
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Old 07-26-2003, 08:57 PM
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"
Quote:
I've never really cared for the looks of the W126, I've always thought my W123 is almost to long, but the W126 would make a superb highway driver.
Me too n the looks, the length does not bother me, but the room, quiet, and frequent hiway trips make it veeeeeeeeeeeeery appealing, not to mention the ridiculous power compared to my non-turbo 300d.
IT is an '81, 163,000 miles. The motor does not shake any worse at idle than my current car (`1 motor mount replaced, one to go after I figger out how to remove the bolt with the rounding out head on the driver side mount).
Any hints on the allen head bolt on that one mount?? Unless I get a better suggestion, my next move is to whack in a 1/4"allen socket and get in there with a pueumatic wrench. EZ out is something I would rather not resort to.
-Andy
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'78 300d
'95 volvo 850, wagon
'86 300sdl - engine out, maybe I'll have it rolling by June

whole bunch o' bicycles
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Old 07-27-2003, 12:42 PM
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I don't think you mentioned mileage. Look for maintenence records also. $3500 would be a bit too high if no main records and rust bubbles.
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Old 07-31-2003, 02:33 PM
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Location: Daytona Beach Shores, USA
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The quick shifting is quite normal on a cold engine. Once warmed up, it should shft normally.

My '86 has been doing it since new. No problem.

$3500 makes me sick considering what I paid for it new and its only 14 yrs old. But I love it. Built like a Panzer tank.
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Old 07-31-2003, 02:39 PM
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How much do you think the rust bubbles take off the value? I have everything to fix the rust, if I spend the time on it. Is it really going to be worth my time though? (Pull front bumper, bumper supports, strip all the paint, all the works, blend it with the other paint. Several hours of work.) I have the factory window sticker, and all the maintenance since then. How much would you guess mine would go for?

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Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k
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