Hello All

I am going to be looking at/buying a 1985 300d with 142k this Thursday

Can someone just give me a quick prep and run down- what to do, look for etc.

have not had a diesel in 7 years and the itch has returned big time

Car had 2 owners, some records and has a clean car fax

Thanks very much

JP

rust, odometer function for starters. Gotta be a wealth of info. if you search maybe "inspection"? Good luck.

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

To check central locking system, make sure doors and fuel door open and lock.
Check tranny shifting
check for excessive smoke
check glow plug system, light should come on then go out
check the usual, brakes, belts, hoses, etc...
check for water leaks, interior and trunk area
check cruise control
make sure air comes out of the center dash vents and floor vents
I can't think of anything else off hand
good luck!!

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1984 300D Turbo Sedan (Hilda) 272,115 miles.....
Anthracite Gray/Palamino Leather, I am 3rd owner

2001 Dodge Stratus (Silver) (wifes) 55814 miles...

1982 280TE Wagon Astral Silver Metallic/
Anthracite Velour
260,512 miles (Eva)

1969 230 Sedan Olive Green/Black MBTex
4 Speed Manual
84,213 miles ????
Haus Frau


2004 Boreem Ninja Pocket Bike
Highly Modified 49cc (Ling Ling)

Einigkeit und Recht und Freiheit

Using carfax for milage verification is about as good as inserting a single didgit in your anatomy. It has got to the point that I just forget the odometer and use many methods to try to evaluate the aqured milage. In fact from now on will not buy any 123 that is not subject to a complete check over at a garage. Called pre purchase inspection. Have not been burnt yet but think if cars are not really checked out thoroughly it is going to happen. In most cases expect the seats to look almost new at 140k and thats just for starters. Of course if someone has spent the money to really stay on top of this model that is the one you want. Someone coined an expression I read on this site and never forgot. There can be nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes. It implys take your time in the selection process and be thorough as well. Also another expression is you can never put the low miles back into a high milage car without spending far more than an individual will want to. My best thought for last. Find and take a buddy along that owns one to keep it all in perspective from the start.

check for rust. Also, remove oil cap while idling, look and listen to fumes coming out. With low miles, there should be very little. Look underneath for rust, also under door trim, all around fenders. Transmission shifting is important, smell ATF, RUN away if fluid is burnt. Inspect vehicle carefully for rust. Coolant should be yellowish or orange, not bright green. But, most importantly of all, especially if you plan to keep it for a long time, you should find out how much rust it actually has.

P.S. - Don't forget about the rust!

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'82 300SD - 361K mi - "Blue"

"Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement."

listen, look, .........and duck.

Here's a comparable 300D (1984) asking 4750 CDN; 189000Kilometers. Watch for AC and blower motor/heater problems typical to any vehicle of this age.
http://www.mbclubcanada.com/preownedcar.asp?carid=770

Just about every used one I come accross the push button unit does not operate as designed in regards to changing the vents that the air is blowing out of. You can still find them without any rust - at least around these parts.

A friend at work has just (he is paying for it today) purchased one for his 16 yr old daughter to drive. I checked it out Saturday morning and recommended it to him - I've been helping him look for about a month now. Anyway, it is an antracite gray '83 300D with 207k miles, absolutely no rust, records 2" thick since 1990 by the current owner. It will be a very good car to bring back. I told him I would even purchase it from him if he decides he does not like it. He picked it up for $1800 and I told him to plan on putting at least $1k into it and it will be a very good first car for her.

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Jim