Educate me, diesel W115 owners!
 

For years, my family owned diesel cars (mostly Peugeots), but I've only ever owned petrol-powered cars.

However, a 1975 300D (I think it's a W115, I think) has become available locally and my wife has fallen in love and I'm persuaded to at least take a look.

So, educate me vintage diesel owners - what am I letting myself in for? What biodiesel blends could I use in this car? Anything I should watch out for? What will frustrate me with a W115, and what will thrill me?

Number one thing to watch for is rust. Rockers and quarter panels rust out. Check them carefully and I would pass on any car with substantial rust unless it is a throw-away price. These are unibody cars so the rockers are part of the car's "structure".

You can run any biodiesel up to B100 in them though you might have to replace some rubber hoses in the fuel system but it is no big deal to do that. The W115 is an especially easy DIY car, very simple and intuitive in most cases to work on. Good luck with it.

Rust and blower fan are 2 common problems. Rust would be a deal breaker, non-functional blower fan means no defrost and it can be a very long job to repair.

I've had my 76 300D for over a month and I love it. Acceleration is decent from 0-40 mph, slow above 40mph although it cruises nicely at 60-65 mph.

I really like the classic old school looks of the 114-115s, even more when they are equipped with the factory fog lamps and painted hubcaps. Pre 74 models are even nicer with their smaller chrome bumpers.

To clarify....
 

There are two interior fans.

One is for the ventilation and defrost, the other is dedicated to the A/C.

A/C fan is a slam dunk to get to, the ventilation fan is a major job.

If you have to have a defroster to pass inspection, this is a major impediment. If not, once the car is moving, you can get a surprising amount of airflow out of the system with a fan boost.

Rust is the other biggie.

I've been driving my 71 250C to work a couple of days per week recently, and I'm falling in love with this chassis once again. What a nice, classic look as you glance over the hood at that star with the false radiator cap, and the two high fenders. Makes my 83 300D and 90 560SEL look pretty bland by comparison.

These are lovely cars, and have a nice vintage appeal. but remember, they are also old cars, and require above average care and maintenance.

Jim

rust is a huge problem. We just replaced the floorpans in ours (caused from a leaking window seal and 30 years of sitting.)

anyone got a link for fan replacement, I'm afraid ours is going.

Thanks for all the useful tips! Might be taking a look at the car this weekend.

I have 2 115s that I drive. They are a blast to drive. I just got a 1976 240D standard. My automatic 1970 220D is a good car but not as fun to drive as the standard.
Hear are some other people that love the 115s

http://mbca.cartama.net/showthread.php?t=24975