Yeah, I bought a 1984 300D for my daily commute since Hans was assasinated by a deer. I only need something to last a year or so and I didn't want to spend a lot of money. I didn't. The car is a one owner (owner's niece has driven it for the last couple of years) with meticulous records. Every scheduled and non-scheduled service performed at an MB dealer (I didn't know there was a 360k service). I drove it and was favorably impressed. It had been sitting for 2 weeks, yet started right up. Ran great on the hiway. Trans shifted better than Hans ever did - no slipping. Sunroof works, ac needs a charge (new hoses a couple of years ago), power antenna works. Has a bit of wheel well rust and paint is faded on hood and roof. Front seats have been covered since new and look new. I have the window sticker and it shows that the seats are leather - a $1000 option (total sticker price, $33,000). New radio and tires.

From the service history I find:

No work, other than routine service and a couple of modulators has EVER been done to the transmission. That's 400k on an original transmission and it still works great!

Engine had every MB recommended service up till 380k. They don't explain what they did in the records, but I'm assuming it might include injector cleaning, etc. They usually cost $5-900, not including oil changes and other service done at the same time. The only thing done to the engine, aside from motor mounts, air cleaner mounts, valve adjustments, etc. was a new timing chain installed at 340k (note: invoice is stamped " timing chains should be changed every 80,000 miles or severe damage may result"), the oil filter housing gasket replaced, oil cooler lines, and two vacuum pumps.

New brakes 4k ago.

Biggest problems over the life of the car:
Power antenna replaced 5 times.
Front brakes and pads replaced many times.
Water leak on passenger side (resealed windshield and trunk - still leaks)
AC system has had compressor replaced twice, several hoses and lots of R-12.
Two cruise control amps ($522 each).
RH halfshaft replaced at 330k.
Radiator at 320k.
Air cleaner mounts and bracket replaced many times.

Has recent new rack dampner pin ($222)


Has had oil changes every 3000 miles and uses less than a quart between changes.

Spare tire/wheel never mounted.

The niece loved the car, but decided to sell it when it hit 400k regardless of how well it was working. She bought a new VW TDI.

I would love to get this car to 500k on its original engine/transmission. I'm sure I'll have challenges ahead, and I'm grateful for this forum. I still have Hans as a parts car, so most of the mechanicals parts are at my house.


If I'm an idiot for buying this car, fire away!

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1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer