hey, i am a college kid.. finishing up my last year... i have been a member to this site for a while mostly todo some research for my fathers cars... but this question is for me...

i want a 300DT what is the best year for me to look out for..??
any known problems to look for??
anyone have one they can sell to me??

let me know guys..
looking forward to owning my first diesel..

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Turk..
00 S500 W220
93 300SE W140
01 C 240 W203
86 SVO Mustang (Turbo Pwr'd.. hehe)

Good choice!

In my opinion the 1985 w123 300TD is the best year, and im sure many on here would agree. Choosing the 300TD is easy. The w123 300TD is THE one to have. However, FINDING one is going to be the hard part.

Not sure how familiar you are with the older W123's, but they are one of the most robust Mercedes-benz diesels ever built, if not THE most. The 617 engine will keep running running and RUNNING. That said, your main concern is going to be fiinding one that has a somehwat healthy suspension, and one that has been cared for fairly responsibly. Theres nothing more expensive than a Mercedes that needs lots of work. (Its a different story if youre a DIY mehcanic.) The 300TD features a load leveling rear suspension which are typically sagging and in need of attention at this day and age, and fixing that is one of the more expensive cost issues related to the wagon. otherwise it is for the most part a 300DT sedan. Typically non- functioning features of these cars tend to be Climate control units; preventing incoming cabin air to be temp. and speed regulated. The A/C compressors are usually siezed, and oftentimes the vacuum systems have a leak preventing the door locks from locking and unlocking all together. The front ends are usually shot- and a complete rebuild of the front suspension may be necessary. These issues are the more expensive issues to fix that are quite common. expect to spend a decent amt of money to get these things working. The cost of the A/C compressor and climate control unit repars can run typically from $1000-$2500 and up...
The front suspension can run you up to $1500 and more.

An ESSENTIAL aspect when considering a 300TD, or ANY diesel, is wether or not it has had regular oil changes- ~every 3K miles is preferable. Records need to be present, and they need to verify the service intervals and current mileage shown on the odometer. A diesel that has had regular and frequent oil changes will last much longer thhan neglected examples.

Another IMPORTANT point to check is the compression of the cylinders. High compression means thhe engine is healthy and strong. Poor compression means anything other than that. A mechanic can check the compression of the cylinders, as well as perform a PPI, which is preferable, as it lets you see more closely what the cars strong points are, weak points are, and what should be repaired and what is in good shape. Having a good PPI donee can svae you LOTS of money, rather than deciding to just buy a car and find out afterwards that it needs more work than anticipated.

When you finally find a wagon, be sure that when you go to see it that the engine is cold and that is hasnt been tuurned on. The behaivior of a cold 617 engine can tell you alot about its health. When you drive the car, after it has warmed up, should have strong thrust when accelerating, and the turbo should kick in around 25mph when going from a standstill. If the car feels sluggish, weak, or meager, variious issues may exist. Again, a ppi can address this issue.

Another common issue on these cars are oil leaks. Dont let them scare you away- a 20+ year old diesel engine will typically leak a littel oil, and oil leaks are quite common. As long as the oil is kept level, and the leak isnt TOO large, the engine will be fine. But it is always good to repair, or have the leak(s) repaired, to ensure that the loose oil does not damage other engine components, and to keep your car healthy. If you find a 300TD that has excessive amounts of oil leakage then that NEEDS to be addressed with a PPI.

I guess thats just a brief overview if what to look for, but all in all, as long as you find a 300TD that has service records, and has been responsibly cared for, youl be in goood shape. Once you have addressed the typical repair items, youll be squared away for driving plenty of pleasurable miles in your 300TD. These are excellent cars, and if the engine is in good health, a little TLC can bring back the car from the dead... unless youre lucky enough to find a one of a kind cherry 300TD that needs minimal work.

Goood luck!
I'll post some links to some used MB diesel sources shortly.

__________________
Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

A 300DT is not a vehicle that you should blindly purchase with a few tidbits from this forum. They are all more than 20 years old and most of them have "issues". You want to identify these issues before you plunk down your hard earned money. Otherwise you will be spending all your spare time and all your spare money keeping it running properly.

A 300DT can be a fine vehicle to own and you can certainly be proud of some of the finer examples. However, my strong advice is to have a knowledgeable mechanic perform a pre-purchase inspection of any candidate for purchase. Remember this well:

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz.

Well said Brian Carlton!
Short and simple!

BMWTek-
I will also highhly advise against buying a 300TD that doesnt have any service history. Although a PPI can sometimes reaveal a diamond in the rough- a car that has no history but is in nice shape, it is highly unlikely.

Having maintenance records can tell you ALOT about how the car has been treated, and what work hhas and hasnt been done. It will also verify the milegae on the odometer as I said earlier.

And as both Brian Carlton and I have said, DO NOT buy a car before having a PPI performed!!!!!!! Bottom line.

Best Rgrds!

__________________
Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

Your long version was right on the money, as well. I do believe, however, that a person who is brand new to these vehicles needs to rely on a PPI, and/or a service history, rather than their own judgment based upon some absorbed knowledge from this forum. It's just too much data to absorb in a short period of time to attempt a rational and educated decision.

I'm shopping too and have looked at an 84 300D with 256k. What's a PPI?

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1983 M-B 300D, 148K, daughter's ride
1983 M-B 300TD, 120K, my ride
1985 M-B 300SD, 102K, wife's ride
1969 HD FLH, 45K, restored/hobby
1996 Chev Suburban, family taxi/tow vehicle
1990 John Deere Model 240
1942 John Deere Model LA
1985 16' 4Winns ski boat

it doesnt necessarily have to be a td.. i can go for a sedan.. just wouldnt mind the extra space...

I am in Morris COunty New Jersey.. if anyone knows of a car that is for me in my area... let me know??

is there a W123 registry??? a owners list??? a company who refurbishes w123's???

i want an almost perfect example.. planning on keeping it for as long as i can...

__________________
Turk..
00 S500 W220
93 300SE W140
01 C 240 W203
86 SVO Mustang (Turbo Pwr'd.. hehe)

I like the 1987 W124 TD's with a 603. I prefer the 603 over the 617 for added power, fuel economy, and smoothness. I also like rare cars and a 1987 300TD is a very rare car.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Pre Purchase Inspection... very important on MB's!!

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1960 MB 190Db w/ full sunroof
1985 Toyota Pickup
2006 Honda Odyssey EXL R&N
2001 VW Jetta GLS TDI

Here you go:

http://gullwingmotorcars.com/searchresults.html

Search the site for "1985 300TD" Price is $7950.

Seems a bit pricey, but, if the mileage and condition are legit, it's probably worth it.

For sure look over the vac system and mind the trans, both can cause more problems than you can imagine.

The 300D I owned was pretty solid except for the vac system, my pump took a dump and cause sooooo many problems it wasn't even funny...

Aside from that, Veloce300DT hit it right... use common sense here. This car is OLD. Look it over, or get someone to come along that knows what to keep an eye out for.

Good luck

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Here is an example of an '84 300D, been in the same family since new, no apparant cracks in the dash, a really nice looking car. Silver w/ black interior $5K You won't find many like this these days.
see: http://www.craigslist.org/pen/car/56278880.html

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

Talking about buying used 300te's or td's. I've bought 2 on ebay, sounds risky, but here's the strategy. Find one where a friend, preferably a motorhead, can preview it first for you. I found ours in cities where I had friends, pays to have friends.

Seems like any MB w/ some miles will need the mandatory $1900 service once you buy it, or if you're good, about $800 in parts plus your labor. Less if you're lucky.

There's probably no better wagon on the road for $4000 - $6000. Good luck.

Jerseyjeff
92 300 te 4 matic
94 300 te

If it don't leak, it ain't a benz. It has what we call, a "self-lubricating chassis"

I'm not sure how soon you want one but as soon as I finish the engine, I'll have an 83 300CD for sale. maybe another month or two.

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

1985 300tdt for sale
if you are interested drop me a line, blue green, palo leather, third seat, 215k miles second owner all maintence records since new, fanatically maintained, no oil leaks, climate control good, new afterglow glow plug system, excellent overall, runs excellent, garaged kept, too many cars, delvac 1 every 5k, all fluids mobil syn, 5900.00 firm any questions 303-246-4909 Ron