looking for a commuter...1982-1985 300d

[dwcasey]

Am I crazy? We're getting rid of my wife's car and will only have my 1994 C280 with 123k miles. The "new" car will be my commuter and she will drive the C280.

Before I bought the C280 four years ago, I was looking at the 300d's, but was leary about the mileage, maint, etc.

Now, I'm looking again and have found a few 1983 model 300d's priced from the low $2k to low $3k and what appears to be a nice 1982 300SD. All have mileage from 125k to 163k.

Much diff bewteen 300d and 300sd besides body and trim options?

Is the ride much better in the 300sd?

Anything special to look for as far as problems or stuff that should have been fixed by now?

All these cars are for sell by private sellers and are within about an hour of here, so I'm planning on hitting all of them in one day if possible.

I guess I could just buy an old Honda or Toyota, but I would feel safer in an MB and I kinda like the older style and the dependability of the diesels and their gas mileage.

Thanks a bunch!

Will this car just be used for taking yourself to and from work? What kind of drive do you have to work, stop and go, freeway, country roads, how far?

Do you perform some or all of your own maintenance?

Have a great day,

[dwcasey]

It's about a 20 mile commute one way (my house to work parking lot) 80% interstate and 20% stop and go. If I get out at lunch and do some driving, probably more of a mix, I would say 50/50 highway vs. stop and go.

Also, the driving around at lunch could add 10 or so miles, so I would say 50-60 miles a day would be a conservative estimate.

I would say that it would almost never be taken off paved roads.

This would be my primary day to day driver.

I don't do my own maint. I'm not saying that I couldn't, but I currently don't.

Are you talking about oil changes and filter changes or something a little more involved?

Thanks for the reply.