Hello All - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mbenzgoodyear · #1 04-19-2005, 10:52 PM

Hello, I am new to the forum but have been reading threads for about a day and realize the amount of knowledge within is very large. I currently own a 85' 300DT, I recieved it as my first car when 16 and will keep it indefinately. However as with all older Mercedes it needs a bit of work. The seats are the next mission to tackle and was just looking for either a kit or a shop that will either rebuild or repair the seats. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

TomJ · #2 04-20-2005, 12:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbenzgoodyear

Hello, I am new to the forum but have been reading threads for about a day and realize the amount of knowledge within is very large. I currently own a 85' 300DT, I recieved it as my first car when 16 and will keep it indefinately. However as with all older Mercedes it needs a bit of work. The seats are the next mission to tackle and was just looking for either a kit or a shop that will either rebuild or repair the seats. Any insight will be greatly appreciated.

First car? At 16? No wonder no one has replied. We're all jealous and pissed! You lucky basta*d!

For the seats, I just found junkyard cars with good seats and swapped them in. They cost me $12. Seat covers (that look tacky) would cost more than that. Otherwise, just go through the phone book and find an upholstery house that does car seats (make SURE they add a lower back support, these strait seats will kill you on long rides)

You might also try Mercedes Source for seat rebuilding kits.

BTW, welcome to the forum (lucky basta*d)

mbenzgoodyear · #3 04-20-2005, 01:00 AM

Bear in mind that I am only 23 as it is, so it isnt like I had it in 85' brand new, lol. I have checked a few junk yards and cant seem to find that many seats in anywhere near ok condition. Seat covers dont do any justice to the original seats, I would like brand new seats, but the MB classic parts dept doenst carry em, which sucks. I may have them rebuilt or may do it myself.

Also does anyone know how to get the seat belt buzzer to work. I have checked the wires and everything looks good, the only thing I can figure is the ignition isnt working as it should.

dmorrison · #4 04-20-2005, 01:51 AM

Ok, welcome to this crazy world.

New seat covers might be a bit expensive. So continue to check the yards for parts. Also, if you have been doing searches on this forum you will find lots of aftermarket sources for your car.
For NEW seat covers look here, many forum members have been satisfied with them.

http://www.worlduph.com/default.html

Don't have a cow with the prices. You do have a Luxury car. But other solutions will come up for you. Ebay, used parts etc.
My daughter, who is 20, has an 83 240D. But she also has a father who is on his 8th Mercedes. I do all the work on the cars. My personal problem.

But she is right there with me learning and getting greasy.

Seat belt buzzer. Its sounds like the buzzer unit has gone bad. IF the reserve light ( that is the small triangle light next to the fuel guage) comes on before the car is cranked, Key on, engine off, then I would not worry about it. The buzzer is connected to a test circuit. Your reserve light in the fuel tank is on it. If that test OK then it could be the physical part of the buzzer and not the circuit. If the light does not come on then we can approach that problem.

Here is the Service manual for your car.

http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/Service/Library.html

You have a W123 body. OM617 turbo diesel.

Read and learn. You will have many a question. Please ask us here. We will answer just about any question to help you learn your car.

I would suggest getting the Haynes manual on the W123 deisel ( check Half Priced Books for a cheap copy). It is a place to start and again ask questions. Do searches. You can learn all this stuff, it just takes time. My daughter is of course in the learning phase of her car ownership, just as you are, and she is learning quite a lot.

Again welcome to the forum.

Dave

mbenzgoodyear · #5 04-20-2005, 02:03 AM

Thanks for the info on the buzzer. The fuel reserve light does come on when the ignition is in position 2 and 3. I have the Haynes manual, since day 1 of when I got the car, and there is no mention of the buzzer, however skinnerbox.steaky.org does have a bit of info on this. Does anyone know how much the buzzer unit costs?

Mention to you daughter to jump right in and get her hands dirty. Luckily I bought my Benz from a retired MB mechanic so it has all records and has been kept up well. I did, within the first week replace the alternator, stereo, drivers window motor, but have been fortunate not to have any major problems ( cross my fingers). Thank you very much for the information.

dmorrison · #6 04-20-2005, 02:16 AM

Fast lane has it for $75

http://catalog.eautopartscatalog.com/mercedesshop/sophio/wizard.jsp?partner=mercedesshop&clientid=mercedesshop&baseurl=http://catalog.peachparts.com/&cookieid=1I104VJOM1I104VP7T&year=1985&make=MB&model=300-DT-001&category=P&part=Seat+Belt+Warning+Relay

Sounds like youhave done quite a bit for a "newbee", great. You seem to have experience with the car.

Having the Haynes helps, but it sounds like your ready to get into the Service Manual.

Dave

pawoSD · #7 04-20-2005, 02:28 AM

I got my SD at age 17, and I am coming up on 19....

except I still owe $$ for it....so I didn't really "get it" or anything..... My goal is to spend as much as is needed to keep my car on the road forever.

mbenzgoodyear · #8 04-20-2005, 02:40 AM

I am with you on that. I will do whatever it takes so that the Benz on the road.

barry123400 · #9 04-20-2005, 09:43 AM

Just keep looking in junkyards for interiors or buy a rusted out car with great interior. They are out there especially in rustbelt and you may sell enough other things to get your money back. Just about any approach is cheaper than buying new seat materials etc in my observations. As for keeping a car longterm that is in daily use it does require a plan. If you live in an area of little rust you have a head start. Stockpilling future need parts as they become available at a reasonable price is a good ideal plus at some point these cars will no longer have cheap parts available. The other item is to keep upgrading car so in each year it is in better condition than year before. This gives you the basis to continue with ownership rather than dealing with an avalanche at some point. Also value of the car will rise to compensate eventually as it becomes a real antique. At some point it is possible you may not want to use car as daily driver and if in tip top shape you are far more likely to want to hang on to it.

BodhiBenz1987 · #10 04-20-2005, 10:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbenzgoodyear

Bear in mind that I am only 23 as it is, so it isnt like I had it in 85' brand new, lol. I have checked a few junk yards and cant seem to find that many seats in anywhere near ok condition. Seat covers dont do any justice to the original seats, I would like brand new seats, but the MB classic parts dept doenst carry em, which sucks. I may have them rebuilt or may do it myself.

Also does anyone know how to get the seat belt buzzer to work. I have checked the wires and everything looks good, the only thing I can figure is the ignition isnt working as it should.

What color is your interior? I noticed a decent-looking 123 in a junkyard in PA ... smooshed in the front but the seats could be fine ... it looked like it had a blue interior, although I couldn't tell as I drove by. It is not extremely close to where I live, but there is a possibility I will be driving past there Saturday; if it's still there I can take a look. But I'm guessing you don't have a blue interior, right?

I think it's great that your willing to put so much into the car. I'm 23 as well, and have the same attitude about my 87 300D. It's been a part of my family since I was 6, and was one of the cars I learned to drive on. My dad gave it to me "officially" two years ago and I've been trying to learn as much as I can ever since, so that I can keep it on the road as long as possible.

mbenzgoodyear · #11 04-20-2005, 11:07 AM

Forunately I live in Texas so we dont have to worry about rust, more like the rubber melting and paint fadeing on it. My interior is a tan color, so the blue would look a bit odd, thanks for the heads up. My plan to keep it as long as I can incudes buying one major piece for it every month. This month it is seats, next will be a rebuilt engine that I can store until mine dies. Also changing the oil, oil filters, fuel filters, air filter, power steering, brake fluid and making sure the vacuum lines, are part of the plan. Just a few things to keep this classic on the road.

TomJ · #12 04-20-2005, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbenzgoodyear

Forunately I live in Texas so we dont have to worry about rust, more like the rubber melting and paint fadeing on it. My interior is a tan color, so the blue would look a bit odd, thanks for the heads up. My plan to keep it as long as I can incudes buying one major piece for it every month. This month it is seats, next will be a rebuilt engine that I can store until mine dies. Also changing the oil, oil filters, fuel filters, air filter, power steering, brake fluid and making sure the vacuum lines, are part of the plan. Just a few things to keep this classic on the road.

You're on the right track as far as doing what you can to keep it going forever. Not many people have that kind of dedication. Keep it up and it will reward you greatly in the future.