1987 Mercedes 300D Turbo - $3000 San Jose - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

sixto · #16 07-28-2012, 09:21 PM

I wrote this response to someone's inquiry so I might as well share it with anyone else who'll read it:

This is Jeremy's car that I've had since May so he still knows more about it. I haven't done anything but drive it since. I have the blue '87 which has 100K miles more but fits me better.

It was delivered new in NY but must have been stored winters because there's no rust above, below, inside or out. The one iffy spot is a corner of the right rear door window. It was in an accident prior to Jeremy's acquisition in late 2006. The original panels were repaired though it was not a good job. You can tell the left fender and radiator support were pounded back to shape. The hood gap on the driver side is off horizontally and vertically. The bumper is original to the car so the impact must have been above bumper level. Carfax makes no mention of the accident. The paint is passable but they did an awful job of masking.

It runs well but isn't as powerful as my blue car. It's peppier off the line then thinks about whether it wants to continue accelerating as it gets into third gear. It gets back into boost then keeps going. I don't know what that's about but I've eliminated all the usual suspects like turbo, oxidation catalyst, ALDA, fuel strainer and filters, etc. I notice it because I have the blue car as a reference and bragging aside the blue car is the quickest '87 300D I've ever driven (I've never driven Dave/gsxr's 300Ds). Jeremy never thought there was a problem with it.

The oil leak Jeremy meant to fix by replacing the head gasket (and head) still drips a little from the rear end of the engine. It mixes with a transmission front pump or front seal leak and leaves a puddle on the ground. Clean and dry everything and you'll see oil on the ground again after 3-4 days. No need to add engine oil between 3,000 mile changes and who knows how long it's gone without needing more transmission fluid. Annoying leaks, embarrassing puddles, but not debilitating. The steering box is weeping.

Jeremy gave it whatever it needed and has service records since his acquisition. It has a new Behr radiator since the accident (maybe not so new anymore), #20 cylinder head from last year (original head was not overheated), various engine and suspension bits, etc.

It has a number of Jeremy's mods including:

- VDO EGT, engine oil/trans oil temp gauge, boost gauge in place of ashtray
- c-pillar reading lights
- afterglow
- vacuum gauge underhood and in the gauge cluster
- ammeter by the battery
- block heater cable
- built-in battery charger
- trunk liner from a late 124
- front seat fry catchers

I replaced a missing shift rod bushing and installed a used lower horsehair pad from a later 124 to restore the shape of the driver seat.

Sixto
87 300D^2