Almost Mine !!! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dervman · #1 07-21-2004, 01:34 AM

Well after many months of hanging around this forum, reading and receiving knowledge and advice about these wonderful cars, I have finally bought my first Mercedes. It is an Ivory White on Palamino 1987 300SDL with 185k miles, almost completely rust free and with a full (and complete) service history from day one.
The car is in Texas and I have had a Pre-Purchase inspection done by a local specialist (Bens Workshop in Austin). Apart from needing a new Belt Tensioner & Pulley, a Battery and three vacuum actuators for the Climate Control, it seems to be in A1 condition.

Now I am looking forward to flying down to drive it home. Many thanks to everybody on this board for helping in my 'education', it is a great resource. I'm sure I will be needing more advice as time goes on.

Andy

Fuzzball · #2 07-21-2004, 01:39 AM

Congrats on your purchase.....are you going to have any time to spend in good old Austin????

This is the Live Music Capital of the World......if you like music, it's probably around here somewhere.

Dervman · #3 07-21-2004, 01:50 AM

I'm not sure yet but I hope so. Right now I'm waiting for my passport to be renewed before I can travel anywhere - VERY frustrating.

#4 07-21-2004, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dervman
I'm not sure yet but I hope so. Right now I'm waiting for my passport to be renewed before I can travel anywhere - VERY frustrating.

Wow I grew up on the Canadian border in northern Maine/ New Brunswick... We never needed a passport to go over and was under the impression that the Canadians did not need one to come to the U. S.....Maybe to Texas though....:p

Congrats on the car by the way...

Alan Hamm · #5 07-21-2004, 07:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dervman

Now I am looking forward to flying down to drive it home.

Andy

If the car is really in good shape, that will be a fantastic drive. You will be taking, what I believe to be one of the best highway cars out there, on a very nice 2000+/- mile test drive.

I hope it works out great for you and that your cruise control works. Although I don't mind having no working cruise on mine most of the time.

TwitchKitty · #6 07-21-2004, 07:34 AM

I recently crossed into Canada and back to Maine with nothing for ID but my pilot's license. They got a good laugh about that.

Dervman · #7 07-21-2004, 08:38 AM

Its a lot easier for an American to come into Canada and return home than visa-versa, especially if you are a Canadian Landed Immigrant like me. This despite the fact that I came from the UK originally - one of the few countries supporting the USA in Iraq. Not only do I have to have a passport, but I also have to purchase a 90-day visa. Oh well the anticipation will just serve to make the experience all the more meaningful once I do get the car.

bhatt · #8 07-21-2004, 03:30 PM

Dervman,

I live in Oakville and imported both of my cars when I moved back here from the states. I'm quite familiar with how the border/RIV/MTO works on this stuff and would be happy to help you out if you have any questions.

I also have a 300SDL and wouldn't mind comparing cars with you if you want.. We can take your car for as spin to make sure everything works and sounds good so you know if anything needs to be fixed.

Neal

Dervman · #9 07-21-2004, 05:49 PM

Thanks Neal. I have sent you an e-mail.

Fuzzball · #10 07-21-2004, 11:19 PM

Dervman,

When you get to town, you absolutely must find a good Bar B Q. I would suggest "Salt Lick" out on Capital of Texas Hwy. Pay a single price, eat till ya gotta be rolled out the door, but man do they know how to do the Q.

I grew up in suburban Detroit...escaped as quick as I could....but when I had friends from out of state visit, I would always take them across the bridge into Windsor to see Detroit from the clean side.

Anyways, have a great trip!

william rogers · #11 07-22-2004, 01:13 AM

I had a friend in the sixties (long haired hippy by golly)who crossed into canada at Winsor Canadaian Costom found a small bag of Marijuana in his VW van .They took the reefer held him for eight hours and then sent him back to US, Costoms on the US side found traces of Marijuana that the
Canadaians had missed in the van. They arrested him and held him for several days till friends made his bail. He ended up loosing his beloved VW van and paying a goodly fine..........

William Rogers.........

#12 07-22-2004, 01:22 AM

For all to see, I just wanted to share my very first rallycross with my trusty 300SDL.
I was running production class at a SCCA event amongst Subaru's and alike.
I did quite well actually and can't wait to see the results posted on
http://www.nwr-scca.org/rallycross/July_18_2004.htm

The video of me in the SDL found it's way to a Subary forum:
http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7087150#post7087150

- and here is the link to the video itself:
www.zero2blur.com/merc.mpg

I had a blast and will do it again with my wife actually.

Jari

PS. Who knew that an S class could handle offroad. Just take out the childseat and paint 110 on the window.
- oh yeah and pop the sunroof for the helmet.

#13 07-23-2004, 11:23 AM

Hey Dervman, Congradulations on your purchase. How did you find out about the 300SDL here in Austin? I love my 300 SDL, jet black with palamino interior. I've only got 160k miles on mine and i've pumped in about 2k for just up keep and repairs. Bensworkshop does all my repairs here in Austin. Very reliable repair shop. He has a modern state of the art buiding. I go there often for service on my car and there are at least 25 MB's in his lot always, from new to old. I've been to other repair shops for info etc here in Austin and there are far less cars in there lots. Your drive home should be a good test for you. The belt tensioner seems to be a problem for the 603 engine. I'd have Ben check it out and maybe repair it before you make that drive back. While your in Austin, you should check it out. Its a fabulous city on the edge of the Hill Country here. Lots to do here. Check out Bens website, if you've never visited it.www.bensworkshop.com

bhatt · #14 07-23-2004, 12:26 PM

300SDLTOM, you make a good point..

Andy, you should have that tensioner looked at because it could strand you on the way home. I've heard if it fails, you can take out a good radiator too, so the job quickly becomes more expensive when you could have just changed a tensioner and belt.

Mine started making a "chirping" noise at idle which went away when I applied tension with a screwdriver. I drove it for a bit and replaced it as soon as the parts arrived (a week after it started making noise).

Neal

Dervman · #15 07-24-2004, 01:17 AM

Thanks Tom & Neal,

The Belt Tensioner was indeed on its way out (the previous owner had told me this so no surprise) so Ben did replace it. I was very impressed with the detail of his PrePurchase Inspection and the way he kept me informed all along the way. The only other major items were a weak Battery and some Climate Control actuators - the Fresh Air vents were stuck open. These have all been attended to. The A/C required re-charging but then they found the Compressor Clutch was defective so hopefully a rebuilt replacement will fix it. Only worrying part is they could not find any leaks, but obviously there has to be one as the system was charged up last year after some replacement hoses and receiver/dryer. I also had Bens Workshop do a 30k service which was due.

I found the car through this forum's For Sale section.

I'm looking forward to the drive home. Time will be tight, but I hope I get some chance to look around while I'm down there.

Andy.