Regarding that 500SD, if it is a US car, it would have started life as a 350SD, not a 300SD. I'll concede that the dealer would have done them a favor by replacing the 3.5l engine with a 3.0l engine.

Sixto
91 300SE

Yeah, I thought it was kinda fishy too.
If only he'd included a picture of the engine.

I've never heard a 5.0l AMG Mercedes diesel to be honest..
If it was real.. boy imagine the torque it has..

but apparently, he's got good feedback.

Check this one out, I wish I could buy it straight away!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/aw-cgi/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=593598429

BTW,
CD_NY,
That's a nice 190E, what's the mileage anyway?

Read a little closer, and you'll notice he says "This Mercedes mechanically is identical to the 1992 Mercedes 300SD."

Anyway, you can get a good example of a W123 300D Turbo for under $3000. I picked mine up for $2900 with a rebuilt transmission and completely overhauled climate control system. Perfect interior too. Had it checked out by a tech and everything looked good. Had 169K miles at the time. Keep your eyes open and wait for the perfect one to come around.

I'm very happy to have received so much input. Many thanks!

A few notes:

- I'm interested to see that no one has recommended a 190 (except for the guy selling his! -- which I had seen on eBay, but was under the impression that you had sold it?). Any particular reasons the 190 appears to be the red-headed stepchild of the Mercedes family?

- First car I ever drove was a 1978 300D. It was my best friend's parent's car that they bought new in Germany in 78. Loved it, but unfortunately it literally rusted away into thin air.

- I owned a 1984 230TE (which I eventually sold to a denizen of the forums) and liked it all right, but it never held the same panache as the 300D for me.

- Given everything everyone has said thus far, I'm leaning more towards a 300SD as I'll likely be using the car on longer trips and comfort would be highly appreciated.

So that said, is there anything in particular I need to look for in buying an 81-85 SD (besides climate control systems)?

Thanks a stack!

Paul

I believe tranmission in the 300SD was improved a couple of times. Get the latest model year you can find.

Sixto
91 300SE

I put a rebuilt transmission in my '80 300SD and the rebuilt was as different as day and night and all for the better. The rebuilder said he used all the latest level rebuild parts. It works great.

Cost was about $1200 including new vacuum valve and rebuilt torque converter. I bought it direct from the rebuilder and put it in myself. MB wanted about $3000 plus tax for trans alone. They know where they can stick that. Maybe that's why they wanted to close this web site.

P E H

If you go for a 1985 300SD, make sure the trap oxidizer has been removed.

P E H , could you tell me where you got that bebuilt tranny for $1200 for furture reference! Do they have a web site?
Thank you William Rogers

That price is not unheard of. The independent (Ed Zander) I use did my three speed. It has a rebuilt converter and was set up to shift crisp like I wanted for $900. Heck it even will give a baby chirp when it hits second.

__________________
Happy Benzing
Darryl, Hill
2005 SL55 AMG Kleemanized
1984 500 SEC
1967 W113 California Coupe
[SIGPIC]
https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/myphotos

I own both an '85 300D and a '90 300SE and had an '84 300SD. My opinion is you should find one that's well cared for with at least 175K on it. That may sound contradictory to what everyone has been taught, low miles being better.

However, my experience has been that the higher mile cars, if taken care of, have had all the major $$$ stuff replaced and are ready to go another 100K miles. Further, you can pick one up cheap because most people are afraid of any car with more than 100K miles. My big three to look for are...Tranny, A/C and paint. Each one of those can run $2K plus.

For example, I bought a really nice 300D with 125K on it about three years ago. I've replaced alot of stuff that probably adds up to $4-5K (not bad really over 3 years). However, the two S class cars bought with over 200K, I spent less than $500.00 per year on repairs.

All in all, I think a 300SD is a sure bet. They ride great, get 25MPG and your friends will think you must have gotten a raise. Just keep $1000 in the bank in case a big repair crops up and you'll be OK.

__________________
Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)

Looks like everything swings towards the 300SD, value for money wise.

The '83/84 300SDs actually look so similar to the later ones. Except for a few body panels and the headlights.. but I'd swap them w/ the Euro ones anyway.

Everyone in Indonesia craves the AMerican style headlamps.. i bet it aint gonna be hard to bring the headlights when I go back and ask for a swap!

Tranny/AC/paint. Why not engine?

You're right.. there's almost always a 300SD on EBay, and in those class ads..

To Bill Rogers:

The name of the shop that rebuilt my transmission (actually they rebuilt theirs and took mine as a core) is called Clark Auto. It used to be located in Clark NJ but I received a notice that it moved somewhere else in NJ. I don't have the notice anymore. They specialize in rebuilding MB and BMW auto trans and that is all they do. They don't even install them or sell parts. It seems like a top notch place to get a MB or BMW trans at a reasonable price. The owner came from Germany.

I called about a rebuilt on MON and they didn't have any rebuilt in stock because they don't usually stock any that old ('80 300SD). He said he had a core and would rebuild that for me. THR I got a call that it was ready. Since it was only about 200 miles from me and I was in a hurry for it, I went there FRI to get it and turned in my core trans. I was shown how to check and adjust the vacuum valve and told how the restriction in the "Y" connector works.

The building had many shelves with rebuilt trans on them. Must have been 50 or more trans ready to go. They will ship trans anywhere by UPS now that they ship up to 150#.

Sorry I don't know the new address and I don't think they have a web site. I found them in Hemmings Motor News (HMN)where they advertised. You might find them there in the MB parts section. I don't have a new HMN with their new address. If you don't have a HMN, I'm sure someone here will look it up for you. Their phone number when I went there was 732-396-8837 but it is probably changed by now. I got my trans about 3 years ago so the price might be higher by now.

P E H

Thanks a bunch the transmission is my only real worry on my 81 SD as the replacement engine has only 66k and I maintain it by the book or better.
William Rogers......

You know, this web site is the most helpful spot for Mercedes information. I have 270k on my 84 300D with a manual transmission and recently one of my C/V boots started leaking. I was thinking of selling it and buying a 1998-1999 E300 DT. They are still selling for MSRP even with 20-40K miles on them. No deal. Then I thought, who else would have a Turbo Diesel with a 5-spd. Answer: VW. I drive 110 miles each day to/from work and something was appealing about 49 mpg. Test drove the 2001 Golf TDI. The ride does not even compare and they want close to $20k for them.

My solution: Keep the Benz and put a few hundred bucks into a new rear axle and replace the fuel line at the exit of the tank. (Funny coincidence how the first C/V to go was right under the fuel tank.

I really appreciate knowing how easy it is to work on the W123's. As this is my first Benz, I thought they were all like that. I guess not. I kind of like not having a computer on board. Armed only with the Fastlane, Performance Products, and the 123 Maintenance CD, I can get any problem solved within a week and be back on the road. I am so grateful I found a Do-it-Yourself garage in North Olmstead, OH for $7.50/hour lift time.

Some other comments: 270k miles - original windshield is all pitted - I guess I will anty up in the spring and put in new OEM glass.

Ohio climate is starting to rust out my driver's side rear fender and back door. - guess I will undercoat to try and protect.

Anybody know when the official recommendation is by MB for replacing the timing chain?? Can't seem to find that on the CD.

Thanks,

__________________
'06 E320 CDI 51K miles
'02 VW Jetta GLS TDi 120k miles
'99 Ford E350 7.3L Powerstroke 200k miles -sold
'84 Euro 300D 5 spd manual 317k miles - sold

Go to ebay and search for#: 593680891 This is a `1982 240D with 152K miles on it located in Los Angeles. Airfares are cheap now.

__________________
'76 240D-Sold
'78 240D-Sold
'85 300 SD, 165K-Sold
'88 300 TE, 165K-Sold
'64 Porsche 356C Cabriolet- under restoration
'86 560SL 124K Miles-Sold
'94 320E Wagon, 74K Miles-128K Miles JUNKED
'06 E350 Wagon, 84K Miles
07 SL550, 14K Miles