Looking at a 1984 300SD -- sold originally in Europe
 

I don't know what differences there are or could be between a car sold in the U.S. and a car sold in Europe. A quick search didn't bring up any relevant threads, Does anyone know of anything interesting?

Otherwise, I have to share my excitement about this car. I drove my 300D to my dad's house today for a visit, and they mentioned their neighbor had a car that looks 'kind of like mine' that the neighbor is thinking about selling. We drove past the gentleman's house at one point, and what did I see? A lovely gray 300SD.

After I pestered and hopped up and down a little, they called the prospective seller, who invited us over to have a look. He also shared a bit about the history of the car. He is the original owner, and they bought the car while on an extended trip to Germany. They drove the car there for about 1200 miles, then shipped the car back to the U.S., where it has been ever since. It was loaned out for a few years to his elderly father, who (I believe) recently passed away, and so now he has this car back once again. The car now has 130,000 miles on it, not a spot of rust, and everything works, down to the antenna. The paint is in pretty good shape, as is the body. It hadn't been driven for a few days, but started right up for us cold, with no smoke. Also has a virgin ALDA ;)

He says he checked the blue book value, and thinks it's worth about 2200 ;) I told him that if he decides to sell it, I would be pleased to buy it, and please let me know. He's going to 'think about it' tonight. I sure hope he decides to sell. I think he was pleased at my knowledge about these cars (thanks to these forums!) and suspect he's more inclined to sell it to me for that reason.

As far as I know, the SD models were only made for North American market, so I bet it's a US spec car bought via the European delivery program. Run the vin number by your insurance company and see if they appear to become confused.

WW-

If this car was bought from MB as part of their european delivery plan, the only difference I can think of would be the neat safety triangle attached to the bottom of the trunk lid. My parts car 300D had one and the W116 300SD I just acquired has the mount for it , but not the triangle.

Its hard to remember , but there was a time when the US dollar was strong, and one could take delivery of a new MB in Europe, drive it around , and have MB ship it home for you for a very attractive price. Sounds like a decent car for the money.

Rick

My 81 SD was a Euro delivery car. The MB service phone number in the glove box lid was a number in Austria IIRC. The records indicated the things they did to Federalize the car when it arrived in the US. It was minor things.

The format of the VIN will tell you if it was meant for US or Euro delivery, as will the language of the various decals around the car. If there's a manufacturer tag on the driver side B-pillar claiming the car conforms to DOT requirements, it's a US-spec car.

Most telling thing I can think of is EGR. I haven't seen a Euro MB Diesel of the 80s to early 90s that has EGR.

Sixto
95 S420

I'll have a closer look at what you describe, sixto and rs899, if I get the chance (gosh I hope he decides to sell!). I did notice that his medical kit (never opened!) was different from mine and had German text on it, where mine is in English, but I don't know whether this means anything.

Palangi, had the guy been certain he wanted to sell, you can believe I would have copied down that VIN :)

Buy it and sell your 300D for parts! :D

Heh... I have an attachment to the 300D, although I've only had it a few months :) I may keep it and continue to fix it up, or it may need to be sold (silly for just me to keep three four-wheeled vehicles, when the garage only has room for one!)... but all this assumes that car is for sale... trying not to get my hopes up too much :)

Good luck WW. And good luck trying not to get your hopes up. Mine are up FOR you.
Jimmy

if it's a euro model, it should have manual climate controls...

WW

As was said before, as far as anyone knows, the turbodiesels were meant for the US market only.

A Euro-spec car in general may have:

Manual climate control
Cloth seats
Euro lights and bumpers

Upon entry into the US,it would then have to meet US safety and EPA requirements that were in effect at the time. :(

A MB European delivery program car was built specifically with the intent of meeting US regs after cruising around for a few weeks in Europe. It was built with all the wonderful features that you have become acquainted on your 300D:

Pushbutton climate control
EGR
MB tex seats
Ridiculous US DOT lighting standards

This sort of car still had to meet German law that requires a safety marker that can be displayed in the event of a breakdown. You may also (hopefully) see a service record performed at 1000 miles somewhere in Europe (my part car got its first service in Heidelburg).

Good luck -sounds like a sweet deal. I vote for dumping the Jeep.

Rick

I would suggest buying it:).

Do it again, do it again. :)

My euro car has the original purchaser's name on the data plate on the door jam. Cloth seats, etc, as noted above.

1982 Euro 300D NA Manual shift, manual sunroof, front windows converted to electric, aftermarket cruise, no automatic climate control

I would have to agree with the Euro delivery program thing. From the way you describe the car it sounds like a steal. You need to take some pics and post them to give us a looksie.
@ 130,000 miles that thing isn't even broken-in yet.

By your description, this is definitely be a European delivery car; it had MB tex seats and pushbutton climate controls.

I suspect the guy is going to think about whether or not to sell it for a few days. I think he is attached to the car, understandably so. If he says he'll sell it, though, I'll be over there the same day with cash in hand :D

Heck, you are already almost an expert on that engine (well, some parts of it anyway). the 126 body is not that different. More Luxo and a bit more complicated, but nothing you can't handle. Unless you really need the 4x4, you can dump the jeep and enjoy the big Benz! I'm envious already. And we'll all help out with any questions as usual.