I am interested in purchasing a 1987 300D that is listed for $4400. The exterior color is black, and the interior is beige with a vinyl seat material. The 300D is located in CA.

The odometer on the 300D has 145K miles on it, but the owner claims that it actually has 155K miles since the odometer is broken.

The current owner is the second owner. He claims to have purchased the car in 1991 with 60K miles on it. The owner also claims that he changes the oil every 5000 miles and he uses Wal-Mart brand Super-Tech 15W-40 oil. The owner claims that the rear suspension links have also been replaced, and the transmission shifts correctly except for a sharp 1st/2nd gear transition. There is supposedly no body damage, and no mechanical problems. The interior has no tears or rips, and is supposedly clean. I asked for records, and he doesn't really have any written ones except for the receipts for the oil filters from the dealerships, and the previous owner's records.

The car has these known issues according to the owner:

1) broken odometer.
2) passenger side mirror glass is broken.
3) radio is not functional.
4) A/C doesn't blow cold, owner claims it was converted to R134A by himself, and the A/C system just needs to be recharged.
5) small U shaped crack in windshield near rear view mirror.
6) green coolant in cooling system instead of MB coolant.
7) original clutch cooling fan has been replaced with two electric fans according to the owner.
8) scratch on driver side door needs to be touched up or repainted.
9) various small dings/dents

I feel that the odometer mileage numbers may be lower than actual, and I have not had a chance to look at the 300D in person since it is 3 hours away, but I would like opinions on the price and potential problem areas (including the ones I listed above). I am trying to determine if this 300D is worth taking a closer look at.

Thanks in advance.

-Steve

My major concern would be the A/C conversion which, if not done right, is a very expensive fix (in the neighborhood of $2K) in the 124. The rest of the things seem minor, though mileage could be a problem if the odo is waaaay off.

If it needs recharging, why hasn't he done it? I'd take $2,000 off for A/C that doesn't work correctly. If its the evap leaking (common problem) then that's a $2,000 job. If the compressor or manifold hose needs replacing, that's expensive too.

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Brian Toscano

swogee,

Tell him fixing the AC is necessary before you will buy the car so you can see if it works. Then take it to an AC shop to have the AC checked for leaks and an estimate to fix it if it does leak.

P E H

I have to agree that the a/c system is very costly to repair if not working.

One of the things to look for is if the center vents open properly. If they don't then complete removal of the dash is nessesary to replace the vacuum actuators!! But then you have to do this to get to the evaporator too.

Good luck with the car if you decide to get it.

I love the performance of my '87 turbo.

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current Benz
'87 300TD (white) 168K (on the odometer as of 15 April 2004)
past Benz owned & miles I put on them
'62 190D 20K (white)
'63 190D 20K (beige)
'65 190D 35K (white)
'73 220D 175K (metalic green)
'79 300D 135K (metalic blue)

driving a Benz diesel since'77

Sounds like a $2,500 car to me (at best) "as is".

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Brian Toscano

Check old threads re: 87 300D's through the "search" function. Much has been written about this models strengths and weaknesses. See GSXR's excellent posts and photos. I think the greatest concern with an unknown car is the aluminum head of the 603 engine.

Thanks for the responses. I have determined that the seller of the 1987 300D in question was not being entirely honest, so I guess the search for a 300D continues.

Thanks again for all your help.

-Steve

Walk away from that deal.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

Ken,

But he was getting it for a "parts car" price.

P E H

If the head has not been replaced, I would automatically pass on it.

If you could have gotton it for $2,500-$3k even with no AC that would have been a pretty good buy. But the rest of the car would have to be pretty nice. Heck the engine alone is worth $1,500.

Just check to make sure their is no pressure in the cooling system after the car has sat all night. Other then that I wouldn't worry about the head.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

The original post was from a year or so ago.. I wonder if he bought the car?

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1960 MB 190Db w/ full sunroof
1985 Toyota Pickup
2006 Honda Odyssey EXL R&N
2001 VW Jetta GLS TDI