I'm looking at a 1983 Mercedes 300SD with 137,817 miles on it. He's selling it for $1,400. It is currently inspected until the end of next month (April). What should I be looking for/at? What are the right questions to be asking (if I had ever owned one I might have a clue)?

Help please...

Any type of alternative fuel system(Often kills the engine)

Try a cold start(cold engine) to really see what shape it's in. Check the boots on the rear axle half-shafts. There is other stuff, but you might want to do a search, it has been reiterated 500 times in the diesel section

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617.952-220k-Ported head, 2056V, No ALDA/SALSA/vac
1990 Kawasaki Ninja 600 (80hp; 400lb bike). 1981 KZ440 on E85.

Make sure the AC is working and also the electricals. They can be a real issues when something goes wrong with the AC and heat.

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Current Mercedes
2011 E350 4Matic Sport
2006 CL600
2005 C240 4Matic
2002 E320
1987 420SEL

Some other non MB cars too

What's it look like? What condition?

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An average Joe's 39 year quest for knowledge, financial freedom, and much more.
1999 E300TD - 130K - bought new

Matthew 25:14-23
"Faithfulness in big things happen only when faithfulness in small things has been demonstrated."


Let's hit the road, and feel right at home......

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There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes

$1400 is cheap enough, but, Carfax it....MB odometers from that era usually were broke half the time.

Check condition of seats and pedals to see if 137k is truthfull or not. Ought to look pretty good with no sagging in the seat or displaced seat noodles (ribs) and pedals, shifter and arm rest should show minimal wear.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif.

85' 300d Turbodiesel 311K
99' E300 Turbodiesel 311.5K and counting NO MORE. (Totaled by Indie's liability Ins after a major oops)
09' E320 Bluetec 66k

Post that question in diesel discussion.
And get ready to read

See:

http://home.concepts.nl/~vlimmere/tips.htm

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