I don't know how many of you monitor ebay but this guy in cleveland has been trying to sell his 98 300D for months. Has a mechanic that claims low compression on the cylinder and says it is easily fixable. That would make me think it is a valve problem. Either they need adjusted or valve work. The original complaint was rough idling. Any of you 606 guys have any ideas or if this is a good car?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4545966014

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I looked at that car for a while before I bought my present 300D. That is a bad problem to have at that low of mileage. Plus, it has been sitting for a long time. I'd go with a different car, unless you can get it for a steal.

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Ed
-1984 Mercedes 190D 2.2 5-speed gray market(bought@30,000 miles) (Sold back to original owner@170,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes E300DT (245,000 miles)
-1999 Mercedes S500 Grand Edition (80,000 miles)

The internals on these engines are proving to be rather robust. The Finns proved it best

If it was the head that needed servicing I'm sure the seller would have repaired it.

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#dieselFLEET
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'97 E300
'99 E300

I figured there was a reason it wasn't selling. I just wanted to hear some thoughts. I am always looking for a good deal. Though the seller makes it sound like from his current ad that he might not be willing to spend that much. I suppose it couldn't hurt to call the mechanic. Of course the mechanic may not know up from down unless he knows those cars!

If it was a cheap fix it would be in the sellers best interest to fix it. A nice 30k mile E300D is probably worth low $20k's. However in its current condition I would pay less then $10k for it, I would shoot for $8k-$9k.

You would have to assume the engine is shot while bidding and buy it with that in mind. 606's are pretty tough you have to work hard to hurt one in only 30k miles it makes me wonder what other problems are lurking.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

This guy may be straight as an arrow but then again may resemble my dogs rear leg. Milage for starters is extremely low as quoted for year. Also would not mercedes be interested in helping at all with a bad engine at 30k? A case of buyer beware I imagine unless as people quote really goes cheap. Remember thats less than 4k a year total. Of course possible but not too likely. I would ask if all prior service information at dealers present with car.

All good advice. I doubt I will pursue but I was just curious what the forum members thought of this car. It has tantalized and scared me for a a while. I still may call the mechanic just for the hell of it. However unless they really know the newer model mercedes diesel his opinion is probably worthless.