I have the chance to buy a beautiful 1975 300d with 128,000 miles for around 3500-4000 dollars...I've never owned a mercedes, but want a 300D or SD VERY much...I don't work on Cars...I want a good long-lastin car (I've had my convertible bug for 25 years) which is why I've zeroed in on a Mercedes Diesel...So is 1975 just Too old to deal with if the mileage is this low....I need advice please...........Thank You, Linda

15 years ago I bought a '75 300D with 100,000 miles on it for $6000. I paid his asking price. I wouldn't pay more than $2000 for a '75 in good shape.

In my opinion, that car was prone to rust. Anything rubber on the car is likely to bad, and the stuffing in the seats becomes brittle and falls apart. I could be wrong about the paricular car you are looking at though.

For $3500-4000, I would look for a mid 80's 300SD. The W126 body is much better and you get a turbocharger. That's exactly what I'll be looking for when I sell my current car.

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

The problems mentioned by the previous poster can be dealt with by means of adequate cash resources for restoration work, but you must decide whether you really want a DIESEL and understand the issues of engine maintenance and performance peculiarities, starting with . . . starting procedures.

Linda,
The W115 chassis is beautiful to drive and mechanically simple. However, as others have mentioned, very prone to rust and at that age, in need of full suspension rebuild to bring back the great handling. I wouldn't pay much for an unrestored one...

The W123 chassis that came later is the one that is more "bullet proof" if you are looking for longevity. W126 is good, too...

Cheers, Andrew Seidel.

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86 560SEC
85 500SEC Lorinser
83 300D Turbo
75 240D

I mention the W126 because Linda expresses an interest in an SDL. I myself (I think) have decided upon an '87 300SDL as my next purchase. (Unless an '87 300D comes up that I can't pass up)

The W123 is the '78 - '85 300D and is a MUCH improved version of the earlier chassis. Look for a later year model. I'd suggest '83-'85.

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Linda

If you don't know how to work on cars (and I assume you don't really have any desire to start - please correct me if I'm wrong) and want a good reliable car that will last a long time I don't think a 76 240D is the answer.

Mercedes-Benz builds great cars but keep in mind your candidate car will be 26 years old. You can't really expect any any car approaching its 3rd decade of service to be trouble free.