I just saw a 1980 300td for sale for $1500. this is what the add says:
Here we have a 1980 Mercedes TD wagon with unknown mileage. The odometer reads 118,734 but we are not sure if this is accurate.
The car is in excellent running condition and just had a major tune-up. Here's a list of work recently done:

Valves Adjusted

Valve Cover Gasket Replaced

Throttle bushing replaced

Bench Tested Fuel Injectors and R&R

Replaced Fuel Injection Hoses

Thermostat Replaced

New Hood release

Replaced various Vac Hoses and Lines

Upon inspection of the vehicle you will find the interior to be in pretty good shape. No tears or rips will be found on the seats.
The door panels and headliner are in great condition. This car is very solid and purrs like a kitten. As you can see from the pictures
there's plenty of tread left on the tires.

Some areas of the car need attention. The climate control is non-op (only the windscreen defrost function works),
the cruise control doesn't work, the central vac. operated door lock system doesn't work either. These are all minor
problems that don't affect the car's driveability one bit.

These Mercedes wagons are built like tanks and are extremely safe cars. The Deisel engines are incredibly strong and reliable, and with
the turbocharged engine on this model it gives you an extra kick.

If you are looking for a super safe, reliable car in very good condition that can be driven every day then you shouldn't miss this one. It's ready to jump in and drive.

My question is what could be wrong that would make this thing so cheap? I plan on calling today to go look at it so any help would be appreciated.

john,
240dude

'76 240d
way too many vw's

Sounds like it's got an ugly vac leak under the dash somewhere, but that's fairly easy to fix.

I'd be wondering where a 1980 300TD got a turbo engine though!

__________________
'81 300TD Wagon 355k (Miss Diesel)
'83 300SD 180k
'84 500SEL 190k (Parting it out)

here are some pics
http://f1.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/doki_pen/album?.tok=phCSUBBBDGR_ToZu&.dir=/86da&.src=ph

80 was not a turbo but it does show to have the turbo intake setup. 1981 was a turbo. It may have been a fall of 80 build that was a 81 model.
Check for rust everywhere. Check the rear trailing arms for rust. $1100 each aftermarket. The rust just inboard of the shock mount and near the shock mount.
rust on the fenders just behind the wheels. also on the lower rear corner of the doors.
Check under the battery for rust.
Chekc for blowby by running the engine and removing the oil filler cap to see theblowby, A cheap way to do it.
Door locks, ACC controls-- vacuum. Ac control could also be circuit board.

Dave

__________________
1970 220D, owned 1980-1990
1980 240D, owned 1990-1992
1982 300TD, owned 1992-1993
1986 300SDL, owned 1993-2004
1999 E300, owned 1999-2003
1982 300TD, 213,880mi, owned since Nov 18, 1991- Aug 4, 2010 SOLD
1988 560SL, 100,000mi, owned since 1995
1965 Mustang Fastback Mileage Unknown(My sons)
1983 240D, 176,000mi (My daughers) owned since 2004
2007 Honda Accord EX-L I4 auto, the new daily driver
1985 300D 264,000mi Son's new daily driver.(sold)
2008 Hyundai Tiberon. Daughters new car

I have had plenty of cars that are registered as one year and are really the next model year. I live in the S.F. Bay area so if the car is from here rust shouldn't be a concern but it is a good tip. The pics show a trailer hitch so I guess I should be a little worried about the tranny. The ground is clean in the pics showing the front tires so it doesn't seem to have any really bad leaks. How can I tell if the turbo is on its way out? What about the rear suspension? I can't get a hold of the seller but i'll keep trying and post if I get a chance to look at it. Thanks for the help.

john

I have had plenty of cars that are registered as one year and are really the next model year. I live in the S.F. Bay area so if the car is from here rust shouldn't be a concern but it is a good tip. The pics show a trailer hitch so I guess I should be a little worried about the tranny. The ground is clean in the pics showing the front tires so it doesn't seem to have any really bad leaks. How can I tell if the turbo is on its way out? What about the rear suspension? I can't get a hold of the seller but i'll keep trying and post if I get a chance to look at it. Thanks for the help.

john

Looks like a fairly common example of that vintage exhibiting the typical failures (AC and/or control module woes, various vaccum leaks).

In addition to what the others stated, pay attention to the tranny and how it shifts. Folks often crank up the trans modulator for firmer shifts when they first start slipping. If it kicks like a mule going into second or thrid it may be indication of past troubles.

Check break rotors for wear.

The vin number and ~$5 spent with CarFax online will probably get you closer to the true milage than the seller indicates. Undoubtedly one or two of the previous owners have attempted to guesstimate the correct mileage when selling in the past and that info ought to be listed. At very least can get clues from mileage history as to how many years ago the car hit the mileage showing and extrapolate from there. Reported accidents will also be present.

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)