I am in Florida, Tampa to be exact, and I am looking for a good reliable 300td. I came across an ad with a 1983 300td for $3,400. When I called the guy he said he had removed the rear third seat but he has a 1980 300td stick shift that he could sell me for the same price. He said the miles are just over 100k. He said it is in mint condition with no rust at all. He said everything works and the inside is also in mint condition.

He's going to call me tonight with the exact mileage and I'll get the VIN number from him then. He works on his own cars. He said this '80 td had belonged to a very wealthy man that only lived in the area (Ft. Lauderdale) for two months out of the year and the car was garaged it's entire life.

From what I have read, I have no hope of this being a turbo. What should I look for when I go see it? Does anyone know of any good mechanics in Fort Lauderdale?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!

I'm wanting to buy one that I can learn to work on myself (with my boyfriend). We want to learn together and use biodiesel on it.

I have spent probably 40-50 hours researching these cars. My heart is set on a wagon. We have three dogs and my boyfriend is a drummer after his 9-5 job.

PLEASE HELP US!!!

Wagons are not real easy to find... what was it about him taking the third seat out which nixed that deal for you ? That seat is not a normal seat... it is cute but I would not put a child back there to ride... and I don't think adults fit there....

The 123 wagon is one of the most beautiful cars I have ever seen... so I don't blame you for deciding that is what you want...
If I were you I would acquire paper copies of the Mercedes Factory shop Chassis Number One and Two manuals for that car...and a Turbo Diesel paper manual... along with the Haynes general 123 shop manual... ( and actually read them... something many forget is necessary )
If you study them before you go to look at Wagons you will be FAR ahead of the game in knowing what to look for...

The guy said the 1980 300td is in much better shape. The '83 is in the shop getting a new transmission.

I guess the third row seat isn't a huge deal. I did think that it would be useful for when my rather large family gets together for movies etc. The pictures I've seen of those seats look like two people could fit back there. Granted I thought it would most likely be two of the kids.


Would I be better off with the '83. It is probably a turbo!

Where can I get the manuals???

I just got this one on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7984089356&ed=1120656352000&ssPageName=ADME:B:EOTB:US:6

You need to call the guy back and see if he is talking wagons in both those instances... would be VERY unusual for that to be a stick 1980 WAGON...
call him back .. what I took your post to mean was that he offered to sell you a sedan .... but a turbo sedan... people use td as short for turbo diesel... when we here use the factory meaning of ' sedan , touring' for TD...

I know the 300td is a wagon. (TD standing for touring diesel, not Turbo Diesel) He told me the 1980 is a wagon that is a stick shift. I read on one of the forums that someone had a 1979 300td stick shift, so I thought even though they are rare they are out there.

I have read on a forum that the wagons weren't turbo until 1981. How much of a difference does turbo v/s non-turbo mean? I also read a few things that said the 1980 has a 617.912 N/A engine. Do you know anything about those engines and what the N/A stands for?

Thanks for the help!

N/A is normally aspirated (non-turbo) But fear not, if it has a stick it will be fun to drive and get out of it's own way just fine.

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

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

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

Do you recommend somewhere to buy the manuals you mentioned?

I just reread your last post and realized you took '80 to mean a sedan when I just did it short for 1980. I wasn't aware of the use of the '.

I think I may have found a gem!! I'll keep my fingers crossed!!!

Most regular foreign parts stores will have that Haynes ( like Van's in Austin)but I got mine from a regular old O'Rielly's... for the others you probably need to watch Ebay...
Also check Amazon.com or Abebooks.com

call the guy and get the VIN... we can tell you almost everything about it from that...
including whether it is a Euro model... the most likely situation if it really has a stick shift...

I'm getting the VIN tonight! He's taking the car into the shop tomorrow to get inspected.

I hope this car is my new baby!!!

We expect digital pictures soon...
Are you having an independant Pre Purchase Inspection done on it ?

I am worried that you have fallen in love with a particular model and will not inspect the items which need to be looked at until it is too late...
I can worry about that because I have done that all my life.... cost me a lot of money... but I can either fix or replace anything on a car... with you just starting out you might get caught with something too expensive to fix unless you have someone knowledgable and independant inspect it...

Apparently the shop that was recommended to me (on this forum...another post) is owned by a guy that grew up in Germany and is very knowledgable about those cars. He had two 300td at his shop today. I feel confident they will give me an honest assessment.

The owner of the car was more than willing to take it in for the inspection. He's going tomorrow. I am crossing my fingers and toes that it checks out. $3,400 is a great price if it does.

There is NO way I would even consider buying a car before a third party mechanic checked it out. I haven't seen pictures yet but have been told it is white with dark blue interior. He said he hasn't listed the car to sell and just took some pictures that needs developing. He said he would go to Kinko's to send me copies. The mechanic will be my eyes at this point.

It's about a four hour drive so I wanted to be sure it was worth the 8 hour round trip before I go look at it.

I'm excited that finding a mechanic and getting it in so soon to look at worked out (so far).

If all goes well well pick it up next Friday (not tomorrow). My boyfriend works M-Thurs. during the week so that is the soonest we could make the trip. I will be sure to post pictures ASAP.

Sounds like you have everything under control...
That will be a long 7 days.... LOL

may be a euro model. if so be wary of the rust worms. should drive great though.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Yes, that 1980 300TD with a stickshift (manual trans) is indeed a Euro-version. There never was a manual transmission option for the USA-versions. It would be nice if you could post the VIN or Chassis-number and the forumers can decode it at the MBCR (Russian Club) website. Euro-models are quite desirable too due to the seldom-seen options many may have... I have one (1984 300TD-T), for example, and its as sweet as ever.... You're on the right track, researching etc... and many forumers here are more than glad to help out with their opinions and advice... Post pics when you get the chance, I'm sure we'd love to see them...

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The guy said he would call me tonight with the VIN number and actual mileage. It's nearly 11pm and I haven't heard from him. I called and left him a message around 9:30.

I already set it up with the shop down there for him to take it in tomorrow because he said he would. God I hope he hasn't changed his mind for some reason, or worse he lied about the car in the first place.

If anyone knows of a good deisel wagon for sale near or in Florida please let me know.
sandihunt@groovewell.com

My mechanic actually called me today with a buyer for my car. It's just a little nissan sentra I will need to unload when (I'm staying positive), I get my wagon.

With Hurricane Dennis breathing down our necks we (my boyfriend and I) hate to go down to just one car right now. I would need to have a wagon before I sell my car. Hopefully this one will work out and I will not lose this potential buyer of my nissan.

Everyone's been great!!

Thanks a bunch!

I'll keep you posted!!!