My '85 300D just turned over 90k miles. I am getting ready to head off to college in the fall and I'm making an effort to replace any parts on my car that are prone to failure/wear so that I will not have to worry about major downtime away from home.

So far, I've done the following over the course of the past year in addition to regular oil changes and fuel filter replacements, whether the parts were truly bad or not:

• Installed new Bilstein shocks all around
• Installed new front-left ball joint (went bad)
• Replaced all fuel lines throughout car
• Rebuilt sunroof motor (gear was stripped somehow)
• Installed new sunroof cable (gear had ruined cable)
• Installed new breather hose
• Installed new monovalve
• Replaced rear brake pads
• Adjusted valves
• Installed new valve cover gasket
• Installed new oil cap seal
• Installed new front brake pads
• Installed new front brake rotors
• Installed new rear brake pads
• Installed new parking brake shoes
• Installed new air cleaner mounts
• Installed new hood pad
• Installed new battery
• Installed new MB ATP Type-8 Wheels with Continental ContactTouring 205/55R16 tires
• Replaced U.S. lights with european lights

The car runs very well now - I love it, and have zero complaints :) Is there anything else I should look over? Problems that these cars typically have? For example, I noticed another post about someone having a clogged EGR valve. Such checks aren't mentioned in any of the maintainence manuals in my posession, so I could have a problem and not even know it.

Thank you for your time.
Chris

Chris,

Sounds like you're pretty much ready to go! The only other thing I'd do if I were you would be to locate a good European independent or MB dealer nearby your university so if you ever run into trouble, you'll know where to go. What city is your school in? Some of us on the board here may be able to help in finding a good shop for you.

Aaron, I'll be attending West Virginia Wesleyan college this fall, which is located in Buckhannon, WV. I plan to major in business administration and computer science, with a minor in mathematics. I've always done my own work, but I won't have a garage to work in during my first year of college. It would be great if I could find a good local shop that's familiar with MB diesels, just in case I ever have a problem that I can't fix on the road.

Hi Chris,

Hopefully you will see this, but I was searching for Euro lights for my 300D. Sounds like we have similar cars, mine was in the family and just turned 100k, that's nothing for our cars especially at sweet sixteen!
I'm kind of into mine too, don't ask me why, I should be tricking out my ML, but I am. I got some 8" wheels and 17" tires, just trying to make it look cool I guess.
In that vein, I want some bright Euro bulbs for my 300D, Xenons would be a dream, but what did you do and where did you source your parts?

water hoses?????
 

I would replace all of the water hoses. If you have been consistant with oil changes then your timing chain is probably good to go awhile longer. Make sure you keep the radiator coolant clean/changed. The window regulators will eventually go out on (based on how much they are used) you but they will die a slow death. Changed the rear differential fluid lately?

I have found that anything that is rubber needs replacing on mine.

Jim
'85 300D 219k miles
'95 E320
'97 CRV

I second the rear diff gear oil change and suggest also flushing and changing the brake fluid.

I forgot
 

about the brake fluid. If used long enough I have seen it make brake calipers go bad.
Jim

things to do...
 

All belts and every rubber hose you find under the hood. Blown coolant and heater hoses are notorious for leaving people stranded and they cause a lot of damage when they let go (overheating and cracked heads). Do a good flush and fill while you're at it. Make sure you use MB coolant and distilled water. Also, and I'm not sure if this applies to your car, but if you have the replacable voltage regulator/brush pack in the back of your alternator you should go ahead and replace that too.

Secondly, I would go through your entire under-hood electrical system and hit up all battery cables and electrical connections with, depending on the connection, either sandpaper a file or electrical contact cleaner. Follow up with dielectric grease. Up here in the NE, corrosion on electrical connections causes lots of problems.

Lastly, new fuel filters, an keep a set for spares in the trunk.

Greg

Chris,

If you start feeling "crazy" enough to sell it, let us know first! Good luck in school!