I've got an '81 300SD with 271K miles in need of (at least) a turbo repair/replacement. I've used Southern Star in Anniston in the past, but they seem to think very highly of their work...

Any idea of who else might be good to take a look at this for a reasonable price?

Also - anyone have an idea what this vehicle would be worth repaired? UNrepaired?

I see you are new - Welcome. One of the first things you should know is there is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes.
Value is determined by a lot of things and can't be determined just by stating year and model. Is it a beater or a show car or somewhere in between? Over here your average 126, 123 in that year range is probably $1500 - 1800 in fair condition, with some known minor problems.

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

Thanks. I have owned the car for about ten years, but it has been sitting idle (garaged) for over 3 years. The car is probably on the low side of average, having some body dings, a crack in the windshield, and cracks in the leather interior...

I really enjoyed driving this car daily, but I'm not sure I want to keep sinking money into it...

It's the typical "heart" or "head" problem. You love the car and hate to see it go but the thought of pouring $$ into bothers you. After you get through that it all boils down to economics - can you afford to bring the girl back to her former glory or would you just be better off with a newer car. It is not a problem at all to drop way more into these older cars in repairs than what their actual value is and that is thinking with your head. I sort of like the older models and enjoy the frustrations they bring, that's thinking with your heart.

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

I know of a repair shop in the B'ham area if you're willing to take it that far.
Alabama

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

I was at a cruise-in one summer night last year in Rainbow city. A young, mid 20's fellow came over to my car, expressing his admiration. I talked with him for a while, and discovered he worked for a shop in Albertville. He said they specialized in BMW and MB. We talked about timing chain issues related to the 117 engine. From our discussion, I determined he knew what he was talking about. Wish I could remember the name...????

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RM Smith
1988 560SL

"Where is it again that we are going, and why are we in this handbasket"?

Thanks, all, for your input. Though I really love the car, I think at this point economics may overrule.

The car does not crank, so Albertville or BHM are a little too far out...

While chatting with a mechanic doing work on another of my vehicles yesterday, I found out that he has worked on high-end vehicles in the past. BMW, MB, etc. He said he'd be willing to take a look at my 300SD. His name is Eddie Paris. Anyone heard of him?? He seemed to be knowledgeable...

Still looking for a qualified local mechanic to work on the 1981 300SD.

Any recently joined member know?

I have a 1993 300SE and I have spent a fortune trying to keep her on the road. I just moved to the Anniston area and I heard that southern Star was the "only" place that I should take my MB to.

I need to have the head reworked, valve job, water pump and if they can, I need the sunroof repaired. The head and valve job will cost more than $2,000 alone. I usually do my own repair work but this stuff is out of my league.

I'd also like to have her repainted but I'm afraid to trust the guys in this area. Does anyone in the Anniston, Birmingham, Atlanta area know of someone that really understands how to paint one of these animals correctly?

Greetings, and welcome to the forum. There is a huge amount of know-how to be gained here...

Other than Southern Star, I am still not aware of anyone locally to work on MB's. I ended up using Jonathan at Blue Ridge MB in the Atlanta area to do some major work, though he is over 100 miles away: Blue Ridge Mercedes

As far as painting, I have a friend that I haven't seen in a while, but he has done tremendous restoration work and paint jobs on both automobiles and Harleys. I'm not sure if he's still in that line of work, but if you'd like his name, PM me...

I recently came in contact with a local mechanic who has done work on Sprinters owned by my small business.

He had done some small jobs for me, but last week installed a rebuilt tranny into my 300SD. He is quite knowledgeable and reasonably priced, even though the bulk of his work is not old Mercedes...

Contact Mike at:
MD AUTOMOTIVE
297 Lenlock Ln
Anniston, AL 36206
ph: (256)820-0910
fax: (256)820-0911

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Mine: 1987 MB 420 SEL - 62K (Dec 2019)
Mine:1991 MB 350SDL - 244K (Aug 2011)- Totalled 9/14/2016
Mine:1981 MB 300SD - 326K mi (July 1997)-sold
Wife's: 2008 MB C300 Sport - 92K mi (April 2009)

Recently I gave Michael a call regarding some estimates for a few things for my 300SDL. Seemed knowledgeable with reasonable estimates. Will update later after having more experience there. Any additional feedback from anyone else would be appreciated.

Update: Also gave a call to Southern Star in Anniston, very knowledgeable with reasonable pricing. Briefly looked at a few reviews online, those look very good too. Southern Star was also recommended by another forum member. Will certainly take my 87 300SDL to them for some upcoming repairs in the near future.

Southern Star (Danny, John)
716 Wilmer Ave.
Anniston, AL

Tel: 256 236 5389

I have been taking my family's 3 MB's to Danny for the last few years. While not cheap, the vehicles are always repaired correctly... They have an older German fellow named Otto that knows his stuff on the older models... I try to do what I can, but between knowing virtually nothing about electrical issues, and a back that gives me a hard time, I have been performing less of the labor (except for oil changes) lately...

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Mine: 1987 MB 420 SEL - 62K (Dec 2019)
Mine:1991 MB 350SDL - 244K (Aug 2011)- Totalled 9/14/2016
Mine:1981 MB 300SD - 326K mi (July 1997)-sold
Wife's: 2008 MB C300 Sport - 92K mi (April 2009)

*bump*

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Wayne R. Dempsey, Founder, Pelican Parts Inc., and Author of:
101 Projects for Your BMW 3-Series • 101 Projects for Your Porsche 911 • How to Rebuild & Modify Porsche 911 Engines • 101 Projects for Your Porsche Boxster & Cayman
• 101 Projects for Your MINI Cooper • 101 Projects for Your Porsche 996 / 997