I have been looking at a potential 1985 300d for sale. I would like a mechanic to look at it. It's currently at a dealership. I live about 2 1/2 hours away from the vehicle how could I set something up like this? Do I have to find a mechanic in the same town as the car? If so how do I know if the shop is even reputable?

I would suggest the following:

1. Have one of the moderators move your thread to the Diesel Discussion.
2. Update your profile to include your location.
3. Ask if anyone lives near and would do you favor of putting 2 eyes on it and checking for rust, rust, blowby, and rust.
4. Then if it warrants a Prepurchase Inspection, ask around for names of shops that are near the car that could perform such. Recognize that the dealer selling the car may or may not want to accomodate such a request.

Good Luck!

__________________
daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
Cluster Needles Paint
New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

How can I get a mod to move this post? I also changed my profile to include my location. Thanks for helping me out.

Napa Auto Parts have what's called AutoCare centers - these indy garages are picked by the local store owners to be honest, quality shops. It's not a guarantee you'll find an honest shop, but it's sure a good step. Either call the local Napa store in that area or search the Napa website for the local AutoCare. Then call that shop, explain what you're trying to do, agree on a price for the inspection, then get it done.

I've done this on two occasions and the shop was glad to do a $100 inspection; both times, they were EXTREMELY thorough.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Napa is hard to beat. Make sure they do full vehicle rust check to include the area under the battery.

__________________
1985 300D 198K sold
1982 300D 202K
1989 300E 125K
1992 940T

"If you dont have time to do it safely, you dont have time to do it"

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those who are willing to work and give to those who would not."

thanks for the help everyone