What should I look for to tell if a 85 300D is worth buying? Asking price is $2,000. 170K miles. Looks good in pictures.

Also, the seller says it is a turbo diesel. Is that correct when it is badged 300D?

Thanks

Seriously, what to look for in W123 diesels accounts for perhaps half the posts here...good luck.

A 300D turbo will be badged 300D. On the right side of the trunk, another badge will say 'turbo diesel'. A '300TD' is a wagon.

Lots of things to look for, and I'm no expert, but I'd say the biggest thing to look for is rust. In and around the wheel wells, around door trim, jack points, below the rear window, in the floor, the bottom of the trunk, and under the battery tray.

Nonworking AC is expensive, if you want it to work.

At 170K, it probably has not had a front end rebuild (lots of suspension and steering parts), but will need one around 200K, more or less. Having it done is very expensive, like $1200 or more. Doing it yourself is less so. Tons of people on this board are experts and have discussed the various pieces of this work at length.

Proper fluids and levels gives you an idea of whether the person selling the car has maintained it well.

Lots of things to check in terms of the engine; if you have no idea what to look for and can't find what you need here (hint: thread search), you really should just take it to a Mercedes shop for a pre-purchase inspection.

But you should really do some searching/reading. I'm certain people have posted entire prepurchase checklists here.

The price you will pay also has alot to do with the area you live in. In some areas these cars will go for more than in other areas...

Is this car for sale? Please e-mail me at krawsczyn@starband.net