Here's the new Mercedes I bought for my girlfriend. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JiveTurkey · #1 08-18-2010, 10:54 PM

Heya Peaches. Here's the newest addition to the herd. (We're up to four Mercs!!

) It's an '84 300SD with 250,000 mi (402,000km) so it's definately the highest mileage vehicle I've ever owned. I really really like it so far.

Minuses;
-Cruise control is out, doesn't matter
-came with "taxi tint" which has been removed with a razor blade
-right rear window is secured with duct tape. this invites investigation as soon as I get the chance
-Transmission thunks on some shifts. Not violently enough to spill a drink, but it can be noticeable. (Vacuum modulator?)
-passanger power seat fore/aft adjustment is kaput. Its all the way back, and the motor engages when you push "back." nothing happens when you push "foreward" even with the switch pulled off and the center "stick" pushed foreward. Since all it does is switch polarity on the motor I'm assuming the motor is still good.
-AC / Heat controls are elaborate but both systems function extremely well. Defroster works, all vents blow (in a good way)
-crack in corner of windshield
-fuel tank reserve light is on, but otherwise the sending unit works fine
-passenger rear door doesn't open all the way. It looks like the check strap isn't letting it out far enough.

Plus side
-engine is strong with no leaks. Filters look newish.
-stainless steel brake lines, rotors are good, fluid looks new, incorrect aftermarket pads, ABS works.
-sunroof works, clock works, all interior lights work as they should, newish stereo (sounds great, fader still works from original set up) sounds like all speakers are there
-quiet and comfortable, suspension is tight and all bushings look good, new shocks (bilstien) good tie rods, tires are good (not crazy about the wheels but they're not disgusting)
-wipers work great, washer fluid dispensers work great, NO RUST!!!!!!!!
-no dents or dings, paint is weary but looks save-able with a good power buff
-all the outside trim is in good shape, radio antenna functions, all three original keys and a HUGE sheaf of paperwork dating back to '84 from every owner.
-most of the interior wood is in good shape save the center console pushbutton panel which is pretty cracked and bedraggled. power mirror adjuster works, no bad smells other than some smelly old horsehair pads.
-inside leather is pretty decent with a couple wear spots here and there, no cracks on the dash

All in all it's a pretty solid car. I paid $900 bucks for it and put 70 miles on it today.

Heres the teaser pic for tonight, the girlfriend and I are going to detail her Mercedes tomorrow so you guys will get more pictures then. Now taking help with names.

The Clk Man · #2 08-19-2010, 09:21 AM

Nice Benz man, can't wait to see it when you get done with it.

SwampYankee · #3 08-19-2010, 09:29 AM

Mercedes are forever.

And the "JiveHen" of course.

G-Benz · #4 08-19-2010, 12:53 PM

Nice find! For $900 you shouldn't feel any guilt having to put some $$ and a bit of sweat to have it pretty much perfect.

Other than the tranny issues, having a leak-free and trouble-free motor, working climate control, and freshened underpinnings can put you at ease as far as not having to deal with the expensive "nickel and dime" stuff.

Congrats! Can't wait for the "after" pics.

If it were mine, I'd probably start off by shopping for some Bundts...

bhatt · #5 08-19-2010, 01:10 PM

I owned an '83 300SD many moons ago, and from your list, some of those things can be fixed quite easily. I don't remember all of the details exactly, but here are some tips so you can start to search for the fixes on this forum.

Cruise control - look into resoldering the points on the cruise control board OR exchange for a rebuilt. You can't send a resoldered one in for rebuilding, so choose one or the other.

Right rear window - likely the sliding jaw in the regulator has failed and won't hold the window up, hence the tape. I came up with a pretty cheap fix a few years ago.. search for "sliding jaw" and my username. Worked well for me and a few others here on the forum. I was told that MB window motors NEVER die and 99.9% of the time it's the regulator. That has been pretty accurate over the 5+ MB's I have owned.

Transmission - the 1-2 shift is affectionately known as the 'neck snapper shift' in these cars

If it thunks into other gears, look into it, but the 1-2 shift firmness is normal.

Fuel gauge - The gauge (E - 1/4 - 1/2 - 3/4 - F) and the "low fuel light" are separate from each other. One can work while the other fails. Pull the rear seat bottom (two latches on the front edge) and then unbolt the back of the seat. Lift it out of the car (careful you don't scratch anything with the metal edges... don't scrape up your door jambs!). You'll see a HUGE socket looking thing and you need a big socket to get it off (or vice grips). Can't remember exactly but it was somewhere between 25mm and 50mm in size. 46mm seems to stick in my mind... Once you unbolt that socket, you'll see that it's the fuel sender. Clean the wire carefully (don't break it!) and disassemble/clean/reassemble the unit. There is a small nut on the bottom to take it apart. Once done, your gauge and light will work perfectly. Likely algae or something in the tank clogged it up.. keep running clean diesel and it should be fine.

tbomachines · #6 08-19-2010, 01:55 PM

first few tanks in a new (cheap) diesel I'd recommend using Biobor or Startron just to clear everything out.