Quote:
Originally Posted by Kenzimurmaid
I just purchased this '81 gold mercedes benz 300sd turbo diesel. I love it, it's got style and I'd like to think I can depend on it. Love that it runs on biodiesel. Not fond of the gas mileage because my last car was a '90 Honda civic dx hatch and I'm not thrilled with the mpg difference! Used to getting 35 now getting 25-28 at best.
I just put $950 if work into her, picked her up for $1500.
Replaced inject/nozzle return lines
Replaced cover gasket
Replaced drive belts
Replaced fuel filters
Replaced fuel primer pump
Replaced air filter housing mounts and mounting bracket
Replaced air filter
Replaced rear brake hoses
Replaced rear brake lines
Replaced fuel return lines
Replaced 5th injector plug
Replaced all 5 glow plugs
Full tune up
My problem now is that it sometimes has problems shifting into drive and one time it shifted out if drive in to neutral when I was already going about 35mph so I had to come to a stop and reshift.
I'm curious if this is a sign of a bad tranny needing replacement soon?
Also the left rear window occasionally won't roll up.
What did I get myself in to?
Also, what could I do to increase mpg?
Would it be really expensive to lube the sunroof in to working order?
I'm a 25 year old female and although I have a good job I'm not in any way made of money.
Thoughts?
Much appreciated!!
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"25 to 28 mpg" is outstanding mpg for your SD. I drove an SD a decade and one half ago, so I can relate. My sunroof always worked perfectly in 305K miles. Mine's transmission always worked perfectly. I would change it's fluid every 50K miles, draining the torque converter every time as well. My rear windows required new metal/plastic lift parts at least once each. I replaced my glow plugs just once. I really enjoyed my SD, but that was almost 15 years ago that I sold it. They are potentially more problematic simply because of their age and usage or lack thereof over the decades.
Old used cars are just that - old and used. They require large amounts of parts replacements, parts fixes, and the labor in time and money to accomplish this work. All my vehicles are old and used, have lots of miles on them, and they all require occasional time and money poured into them. Just last week, I poured nearly $2K in parts/labor into my 14-year old E-Class diesel, getting it ready for it's new owners. That's the way it go. It costs money and time to own old used cars. It takes at times, a lot of time and money to keep them going. I prefer buying MB diesls used to new, and keeping them not over 10-15 years in their total age.
Although the MB car model you bought was known to give a lot of miles for little out-of-pocket for transportation needs over time.......the Wild Card of a car you now possess is now over 32 years of age. Anything, and everything can happen repairwise and parts failurewise to car that aged. Those are just the facts. To me, you have to love the car model to continue poouring money into the car you own. I love 'em, but have limits on the "pouring." I think it is realistic to expect you will spoend perhaps another couple three thousands of dollars getting it to be a reliable, and roadworthy motorcar. Only you, cam decide when to pull the life-support plug of continued money spending on a car.
One more thing........if you cannot get your 31 yr. old SD dependable enough to actually BE dependable, you're going to have to furnish yourself with alternate means of transportation. THAT, is why many have numerous old cars - something that will start when you need to get somewhere. As long as you have multiple cars, it shouldn't be too much of a problem, provided you keep them all in decent repair.
We're always here to help, or offer advice and opinions on these wonderful MBs.