I did it...I purchased the 79 300SD! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

acastell · #1 12-12-2003, 09:30 PM

I did it...$8900 later and I am the very proud owner of the Maple car. I read everone's post and still ended up buying the car.

Aside from the front dent, could be repaired, the car is flawless. Everything has been done to the car. I spent 3 hours with the ower changing the Oil, Tranny fluid, Brake fluid, fuel lines, vacuume lines...

The ACC has a completly custom assemlby. The entire thing is metal. These are made by Performance Analysis (Lifetime warranty apparently). They used to advertise in Hennings??

2 Years ago, 12K miles ago, the Tranny was remanufactured at Merceded as well as the Torque converter for $3600. The car drive beautifully!

Every service record back to day 1. Dealer serviced up un 1991. Indy after that.

The rear seat are rehorshaired and perfect...not a sag or bit of wear!

Ausillary fuel tank, range of 950 miles.

Every mechanical component works, lights, climate, clock...EXCEPT the Tach...it is intermittent...

Ran her at 85 mph coming home...simply brilliant!

A california car, original blue plates. Not a speck of rust except for under the battery. The full repair with picture was done a few years ago. Using a scredriver to bang there is absolutley now sigh of think metal...solid!

When lookng under the front of the car, the suspension components are chiny new...very tight driver!

Original books and maual with tons of service stamps.

I looked at 20 cars between 2-5K that were 100% beaters! The owner is a diesel techincial and engineer. He lives 15 miles from my house. He made me promise him that I will cal hi with any questions!!!! He sold me the car for the price (no room for negotioation) as if the car were perfect. He told me that any issies will be resolved as his price is for a sorted car. Of course, I will take this with a grain of salt. But, put a price and having a tutor show you the ropes on your first Diesel.

So, I am thrilled...alreay have 85 miles on it...

So, now the questions...actually, let me search before I ask. You can guess that one of them is the tach. The other is the mior fluctuations of the temp reading (about a 10 degree swing during my drive home, depending on the load)...Oh searching I will go...

Thanks for all of your input....I am excited to learn as I go!

Happy motoring...

Anthony

Please excuse typos...have to eat dinner.

GottaDiesel · #2 12-12-2003, 09:37 PM

I love to see people happy! -- I don't know why, I just do!

Enjoy your car, and have fun with it!!! And take GREAT care of it!

You're a lucky fella!

Pete

#3 12-12-2003, 09:40 PM

Sounds sweet! I saw the pics yesterday, but somehow couldn't see the dent everyone talks about

On a side note, there's a 1980 300SD for sale 'round here, says its Silver, 129k (actual), and Immaculate; for $3600. Wish I had the $$$, cause if its as good as it sounds, I'd snatch it up!

BTW, enjoy the Diesel..you'll never regret switching over

pj67coll · #4 12-12-2003, 09:40 PM

You have a dream car there. I wish you all the best and am extremely envious.

- Peter.

acastell · #5 12-12-2003, 10:00 PM

First off, thank you for the remarks. I am beaming!

OK, i just re read my post and was embarrased at the number of typos. I am not an idiot, I swear. The 'power' of the wonderful smell of food on the table can have negative results on one's spellchecking!

suginami · #6 12-12-2003, 10:09 PM

Congratulations on the purchase of the beautiful maple yellow W116 300SD.

I disagree with some of the others about the price.

It is hard to put a price on such a unique, time-warp, perfect condition, meticulously maintained car. You could search for years and never find another pristine car like this one.

Come on guys.

What is the advice that we always give to those seeking opinions on buying a used Mercedes?

The most expensive Mercedes to own is the cheapest one.

BTW, who is this Dr. Diesel guy, anyway?

Is he a used car dealer that specializes in only Mercedes diesels?

Where does he find these perfect / nearly perfect cars?

suginami · #7 12-12-2003, 10:11 PM

Oh, I noticed you mentioned the car has a dent, but I couldn't find the dent in any of the pics.

Where is the dent?

It can't be too bad since it's virtually impossible to find it.

pj67coll · #8 12-12-2003, 10:17 PM

The only dent I could see in the pic's was a small one just behind the left Indicator lens on the left front fender. You can simply remove that fender and tap the dent out with the appropriate care and tools and it will cost you nothing.

- Peter.

Stevo · #9 12-12-2003, 10:30 PM

Anthony

Good score. It is heard to put a price on a car like that. I love the 116. Enjoy your new ride

acastell · #10 12-12-2003, 11:48 PM

I could spend the next year looking for a car of this quality AS WELL as a buying experience of this quality. Instead, I will be driving a very good car.

Mr Diesel is actually an Engineer by trade who is on a never ending search of 116's and 126' primarily. He will not buy any car that is not worth restoring mechanically. He does not do ANY body work. Therefore his cars are often in very original condition, simply need some engine etc..work. The car must have good history and good bones. He interiviews 60 owners to find 1 car to buy. He is a fantastic guy, very smart. In the now 5 hours of conversation, I have learned (heard, not sure I absorbed much) so much. He can talk to any subject, but his favorite is diesel. He LOVES these cars...his emotional attachment is tremendous.

The dent is in fact the one behind the indicator (front left). It is not bad...the reason it has been discussed is in relation to the high price of the car. You are right, this can be fixed. Upon brief inspection (5 feet away), your eyes actually pass over it.

Well, there is a chance I will drive to Salt Lake City on Sunday/Monday for a 3 day meeting. Not sure yet...when I mentioned this to Mr Diesel, he begged to come with me. After he got my car sorted, he wanted to test the range of the Auxillary tanks. Of all things, he jumped in the car and went to LAX and back (~800 miles), fuel to spare. He is a piece of work. His volume is low, but his quality is high.

I have the alarm set for 6:15 tomorrow am...I will be on the road at 6:30 for a drive to Monterey, Ca and back down via Highway 1. Should be about 180 miles, 3.5 hours. I figured this would be a good bonding experience with my car...

Now I need a name for my car....any suggestions?

Anthony

unkl300d · #11 12-13-2003, 12:26 AM

Hey Anthony, I bought a 240D from John last month.
I drove it down to San Diego for Thanksgiviing to drop it off for my parents.
Yeah he is a nice guy and a tough cookie for business.
I rode in that 300SD. Very Nice.

That Ince red 300sd he had was very nice also. I really liked that one.
I gave him a copy of the W123 service CD. He really likes them diesels.

I find it an interesting coincidece that you bought that car
from the same guy I purchased from. I posted a diesel alert in the cars section last month with his info. How did you find him?
Newspaper ad?? That is how I found the 240D.

Well, enjoy the car, it is a nice one.

Denis

Toblin · #12 12-13-2003, 01:08 AM

Welcome to the brotherhood!

(That is what you joined you know)?

shane83SD · #13 12-13-2003, 01:51 AM

Congrads on your new car. It's hard to find a well sorted one.
Sounds llike Mr. Diesel is an interesting fellow. Saw the ads in the craigslist. Guess I was lucky to get my 83SD, the PO did not advertize as a diesel. Otherwise it might be a victim of Mr. Diesel. Just kidding.

acastell · #14 12-13-2003, 01:46 PM

Denis- Small world! I di find him on Craigs List. On a side not, he called this morning to make sure I like the car. I already put on 180 miles! Not a hiccup...He wants to make sure the car is OK. He mentioned to me that the only thing on the car that he was uncertain about was the Shocks, as they are original. He seemed very confident in Billstiens that they should be OK. He offered to order the parts and install for me. What a guy!

Shane- Yes, Mr Diesel is dangerous. You WILL spend more, guaranteed! However, the reason hs does not bugde from his price is that he knows what he has. It was almost comforting to know that he would not accept my lower offer, even after I left for a day to look at another car. If he felt the car had issues and was anxious to sell, he would have accepted my offer, only $400 leass that his asking. Who really knows!!!

I am glad to join the brotherhood...very nice bond we all share, diesels!

Anthony

acastell · #15 12-13-2003, 01:49 PM

Well, the board already saved me money. I wedged some foam rubber in the tach and it now works. Drove about 60 miles, 2 engine stops.

I have 325 miles on the trip meter (seroed out at last fill up) and I still have all of cars fuel tank full and about half of the Aux tank filled. I have no guage for the Aux, simply knocking in it to hear the difference in sound. I may never fill up!!!!

Anthony