Visiting a candidate car on Tuesday.

What is common trouble with this model and how to check please?

Have owned a 1984 300D for a decade and love it.

Thanks for any advice!

best wishes,
Stephen

Welcome to the forum.

A model year will be helpful.

The 606 engine is pretty robust but problems can be difficult to diagnose such as with those valves in the intake manifold that can cause surging, and some problems aren't cheap to repair. Glow plugs cost more than in older MBs and the afterglow system shortens their life. I've read of one too many 606 glow plugs breaking during removal to believe that it's a fluke. I haven't read of hidden or potential problems that can be forecasted in an inspection.

If you're looking at a W210, some seem to have problems with front suspension towers rotting through and collapsing even in cars that don't see salt. Scary.

Your best bet is to take it to a reputable independent MB shop for a prepurchase inspection. In fact it's the only safe bet.

As Brian said, what specific year car you're looking at so others chime in.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Sorry, my bad

This particular one is 1999.

Thank you [both] for the kind replies.

You hear alot about the glowplugs breaking upon removal, and can be a costly fix. The plugs (as AKLIM and others will agree) should really be loosened and re-antiseized every year or two to prevent seizing.
There is a current active thread about spring perch failures, and also not a bad idea to have the front wheel bearings repacked every few years or 100,000 as I have seen these seize and wipe out the steering knuckle shaft.
make sure the candidate car has good service records, including on-time replacement of the fuel and air filters, dust and charcoal filters, coolant and brake fluid, etc. If this stuff has been overlooked, there could be other overlooked problems......
Gilly

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