well, ive started a list of all the things i need right now, in order to make this car run at its best...im coming up on the 200k mile mark soon, and i dont want to limp across it...i want to roll over it and know that i have a car thats in great condition, and not be thinking about how much crap has to be done to it....i thought maybe some of you could offer some suggestions as to what else i could do or replace on a car that is at about 200k....heres whats on my list so far, and most of these are pretty urgent...

replace radiator, expansion tank, hoses(leaking)

replace upper and lower oil cooler lines(leaking)

new motor mounts, and tranny mount(engine shaking like a martini at idle)

bearing bracket bushings, or maybe new bracket altogether( depending on cond.)

air cleaner bracket(broken)

replace all vac lines and fittings, at least in the engine bay(just as preventive maint.)

turbo oil drain seals and tube(leaking)

have hood hinges replaced and hood realigned, minor body work as well(not high priority)

whatever A/C work needs to be done(hopefully a cheap fix, not a high priority)

new water temp sending unit( shorted out)

thats what i can see needs to be done now...everything except the hood and the A/C work totals over $600 from fastlane without shipping...what id like to do, is use my income tax return to buy most of this at once and save some money, then i can do all the work on my weekends off....heres what ive done recently, maybe you guys can help me finish my list off...im just wanting to know what things i should be looking to replace or adjust as my car crosses over 200k....in the past few months i have...

adjusted valves
replaced fuel filters
oil changes and filters
replaced B2 piston, K1 spring kit, trans filter
replaced return fuel lines
replaced glow plugs

maybe we can use this as a list of things people can do when eveything else is running right, because there is ALWAYS something that needs doing to these cars sometimes we can overlook the smaller stuff that can make bigger problems when they fail

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1985 300SD 192,000miles...Astral silver/ Grey MbTex

1983 300D 194,000miles...White/Tan MbTex...my newest addiction

revision....replace ENTIRE HOOD after leaving the hood unlatched and driving across the street for cigarettes, hood flying open...oh yeah, and replace windshield from where the hood smacked it, cracking it...

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1985 300SD 192,000miles...Astral silver/ Grey MbTex

1983 300D 194,000miles...White/Tan MbTex...my newest addiction

Not to stand on my soapbox, but if you stopped smoking you would have more money to put towards your 300SD.

one pack a day = $5-$6x 365 days in a year.

Off soapbox.

Something always needs to be done on these cars, I would do the engine mounts first their cheap. The cooling system can probably wait another month or so.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

nah, go ahead and preach...i need it...i cant tell you how many times ive added up how much i spend on cigarettes, and i still smoke the damn things....i think today was a sign...quit *****in smoking and your hood wont fly off your car, you idiot!


ive got a couple good connections down here with people who do body work and such...i think if i can get my hands on a hood fairly cheap ill be alright, i already have some good hinges waiting to be put on....i have GOT to find another source of transportation, depending on my having good enough sense to keep this car on the road daily isnt working out too well....

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1985 300SD 192,000miles...Astral silver/ Grey MbTex

1983 300D 194,000miles...White/Tan MbTex...my newest addiction

If you feel like taking a drive......
We have a chain of four (4) U-Pull it yards in the greater Baltimore area. They all work off of a common price list and charge $1 yard admission. They publish no inventory so you actually have to go and look. The good news is that I saw 5 or 6 W126s last month when I was in one of yards. The bad news is that turn-over is fairly rapid, although the addition, or should I saw ceation of that fourth yard may slow the turn-over rate.
The price for any and all HOODS is $30 + $2 core.
What a deal!
The name is " Crazy Ray's"