Folks,

This is a hard post. I bought a 93 300 SD and the boss at home says one of my diesels has to go. My SDL has been great, but it has to find a new home. Here are the details, good and bad. Please PM with questions or offers. I have a lot more pictures than I will post. I can email as requested.

The car is "smoke silver" with palomino leather interior. It has 278K on it. There is NO rust on it anywhere ( alright except for 1 tiny spot in the drain channel of the trunk near the left hinge. It has been plugged with silicone. It has no body damage except 2 small door dings on the driver's side passenger door.

I'm asking $3000 for the folks here, I will advertise locally for a bit more. Let me know if I'm off base.

History:

I bought the car from an estate in Florida 3+ years ago. I've driven it from just over 200K to its present 278K. It is reliable and gets mid 20's mileage depending on conditions, more on the highway, less in stop and go with the AC on. It starts great, even in 15* weather this winter sitting outside, 1 glow cycle.

The car was repainted before I got it and it is a good job. There are some chips on the front of the hood and around the fuel door ( pictures available).

Before I bought it.. much work was done by a dealer in FL, including an evaporator and radiator. I have a stack of records.

In my ownership I have gone over a bunch of things, including:
- replaced the ac compressor 2 years ago
- new actuators in the dash, all vents work
- a tie rod end and center link
- Alpine CD player and new speakers
- center bearing, vibration is gone
- replaced an ABS sensor, ABS light issue gone
- new battery this February
- new brake calipers all around, new hoses, and new pads in January
- rear sway bar links
- added aftermarket chrome wheels
- Michelin Symetry tires, about 2/3 worn
- new floormats
- new glowplugs a year ago
- Mobil 1 for the past 45K miles, it uses/drips 1-1.5 quarts in my 4500-5000 mile change cycle. Oil pressure is 3 at speed and about 1.3 at hot idle.
- I refilled the fan clutch with the Toyota fluid. I think I overfilled it since the fan was on most times. I bought a new clutch and installed, but the car runs a bit warmer. Up to 100* but not over unless you have just come off the highway and stopped. Never over 105*.
- the radiator and transmission were just flushed. The rear end was done when I got the car.

What isn't so good:

- the front seats are worn. There is a hole in the seat bolster on the drivers side, and cracks in the outer panels of the seat bottom. The armrest is worn also. If I was keeping it I was going to by sheepskin seat covers and an armrest. The backseat is great as is the rest of the interior.
- original timing belt, vacuum pump
- the overboost switch has been bypassed, been that way since I got it
- the suspension is "loose", not sure if bushings or other attention will be needed. It passed NC inspection in Jan.
- It needs shocks, included but NOT installed are 4 new Bilstein Comforts
- the drivers seat base up and down adjustment (rear of the seat) doesn't work. I have a complete used seat base from another SDL included but not installed.
- the wood is a bit cloudy, a few small marks on the dash wood around the AC.
- the few paint chips mentioned above, on the front of the hood and around the fuel filler door.
- the headlight surrounds are cloudy and the passenger side one has a 1"x1" hole in it
- the IP leaks just a little oil , not fuel. In 4500-5000 miles it uses 1-1.5 quarts of oil (M1).
- it needs a door check on the drivers side rear door
- the cruise control has just started acting up.. I suspect it is solder time.
- the rear package shelf is sun faded
- there is a 3/8" split in the dash at the drivers side speaker corner

Bonus Points:

- I have a nice car cover that was given to me that I never used
- a copy of the 126 CD manual
- when I thought the rear window seal was leaking ( see trunk lip rust note) I bought a factory seal
- a used axle ( bought for vibration debugging)
- a used ABS sensor for the drivers side ( I bought both and hit the bad one first try)
- the new shocks and seat bottom mentioned above
- I have a copy of the original sticker from MB USA

I'm located 30 miles North of Charlotte, NC. I can assist with transportation from Charlotte, Hickory, or Greensboro NC. Also possible delivery to a reasonable distance.

Let me know if I'm off target here. It is a good solid car that will need some work, but not immediately. Lots of life left in it with a little attention.

Chuck

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other side

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you have seen an SDL by now...

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backseat - good shape

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good, not great, all motors work

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view of the dash with alpine radio

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drivers seat - forgot I did put in a new seat bottom spring unit.

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cracked - should replace

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have not been getting worse since I've had the car

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hard to see in the picture, 1 appears to have been there at repaint time, 1 newer one that happened while I've had the car.

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I've seen them on ebay for about $150. The drivers side is cloudy but no holes.

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Chuck,

You have definitely put some time and effort into that vehicle. The work closely parallels what I have done to this one over the past year.

It shows very well and certainly doesn't look like it has 278K on the clock.

I would presume that it is time for some front end work at that mileage, if the PO hasn't ever done it (they rarely do).

In any case, I think that $3K is a very fair price for that vehicle, provided the transmission is in good health.

Good luck with it. Hopefully it will go to one of us who can appreciate it.

My dad may be interested in this car. I'll relay your info.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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Chuck
Do you still have this car?--email me off list at pjjam1@aol.com
thanks

do you still have the car?

Thanks, Roger

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rbarr8