Hello Gentlemen,
I'm Robert Thomas, and I'm a diesel addict. Currently own a 93 Chevy C2500 Turbodiesel truck (modified) and a 89 Jetta diesel. I love them both but have been wanting an older MB diesel for a while. I would like your opinions on the car I looked at today. I have found a 84 300D Turbo. Nice and clean, 173K and everything works. Cruises nicely at 70+mph with a bit of wind noise. Things I noticed: valve cover leak and a good bit of seepage-most of oil pan bottom of crankcase is wet, but not dripping, even after a drive. Very slight leak at power steering hose union and lower oil cooler fitting. Most rubber on car slightly dri-rotted, typical for TX, cv boots, some of the ac hoses, weatherstripping, etc. Interior/seats very good, 3 thin cracks in dash. Small crack in windshield, 3" terminates in rock chip-will pass inspection. AC works, new compressor and some hoses, but still "leaks", still R12. New tires. Glow plug light only flashes briefly, owner instructed me to just count to ten and then start. Engine started (from cold) and ran smoothly, only slight smoke on moderate acceleration. Valves recently adjusted. Transmission fluid was clean and didn't smell burnt. Trans seemed to shift "early", but otherwise was smooth and positive. Car drove well, did not wander. Paint is very good except hood and roof-they are moderately oxidized, typical TX. No rust visible, jack/spare, etc. all there and some spare belts, etc. Passenger side rear footwell showed signs of water running at some point. Left orange "rust" trail in floorboard depressions, but no damage. No "musty" smell either, no moisture. Seems like a very nice car for 2K and change. My only concern was the possible H20 leak. The oil leaks, etc. I can fix. Will farm out the AC work. What do ya think? Thanks and sorry for the long post! RT

[Edited by RThomas on 02-05-2001 at 06:57 PM]

Sounds like a deal!!! Most diesel engines leak some oil. If it drives out ok then buy it. The parts are CHEEEEP for a 300D. Easy to work on too... I just wonder if a 5cy MB engine will fit into my Landrover??...Good luck.

[Edited by GA-W123 Diesel on 02-05-2001 at 07:38 PM]

__________________
2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

RThomas,

The car does not sound bad mechanically, but I worry about your assessment of the paint and rubber door seals. This car is not a Chevy or Volkswagen. If they have been given reasonable care, they will hold up in the Texas heat better than anything I've ever seen. The paint and rubber should not show decay if they have been taken care of and spent some time in a garage.

The oil leak on this car may not be easily fixed. The crankcase is ventilated into an oil seperator in the bottom of the air cleaner, if the engine has blow by this will leak some, if it has a lot of blow by it will leak alot. There's not much to do about it except overhaul or put up with it.

The water in the rear floorboards is because of stopped up drains under the hood hinges and a passage from that area inboard to two more drains.

One of the things that make an MB much different than other cars is the incredible durability of paint and chrome. If the paint is less than great shape, you're probably not looking at a very well cared for car.

If you can possibly get an honest statement regarding oil consumption, this will be very valuable information. If the engine is not using more than a quart of oil in 1,500 to 2,000 miles, the engine probably has many more miles left in it.

BTW, I live in Texas too, so I know about heat and these cars. Cracks in dash are not uncommon.

Best of luck,

I will!

Sounds as if you've given the car a thorough going over.. and the price is great. Don't forget the two most important tests: 1) Have someone stand outside the car and evaluate "if you look good behind the wheel" and 2) When you drive it, does it make you

__________________
Nello Tare

1982 300D (266,001 mi.) looking and running great

Previously owned:
1976 450 SLC
1983 300D
1976 300D
also
1982 Jaguar XJ6 (loved, but gone)

Welcome!

Sounds pretty good to me. If you don't buy it e-mail me. You should take it to a reliable shop for a pre purchase inspection, including a compression test. I wouldn't buy any diesel without one. It will tell you if the oil has been changed properly.

The water leaks are easy. Look under the hood hinge and you'll see a couple holes. take a coat hanger and fish it down the hole and clean all the crud that has built up. If it's really bad,(the wire won't go in),look inside the fender wells, you'll see a bump the size of a roll of pennies. That's where the wire should poke out. You may have to bend the plastic roll back and dig the crud from there to allow the wire to poke through.

I noticed you live in Austin, me too! A good honest tech is crucial to enjoying one of these cars. I recommend German Auto Center. The have taken very good care of me for about three years. They always get me in and do the job right the first time. If you haven't got a tech yet, you should gve them a call; 452-6437, ask for Clay and tell them Mr. Bill sent you.

These cars make great daily drivers. I love mine.

Good luck.

[Edited by Mr. BILL on 02-06-2001 at 01:28 AM]

__________________
Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)

Gentlemen,
Thank you for all the replies. I am overly critical when it comes to vehicles as I try to be as objective as possible when buying one. The paint is metallic silver, which as far as I have seen, takes the greatest beating from the sun. The dri-rot that exists is typical if not better than what I have seen in vehicles this age here in TX. Regarding the leaks, I have never seen a "dry" diesel of any brand, since it was not actively dripping I am not that concerned. I was able to contact the original owner. He claimed to have changed the oil every 3000miles, and it only used 1 to 1 1/2 qts. between changes. With the engine warm and running, there was a slight to moderate amount of blow-by when the oil filler cap was removed, none at all through the dipstick tube. It was owned by an airline pilot mainly to travel between Dallas and Austin. It was purchased from original owner, retired military, who always garaged, waxed, etc. with 84K. Thank you for the info on the drains. I am fairly certain that it probably the issue. The better half will be viewing/driving tomorrow. I will also look into having a compression test done, or I may just cross my fingers..... I like to take a chance here and there. I would also like input as to what needs to be attended to first in an older MB diesel. Normally I would change all fluids, disassemble, inspect, lubricate, etc. Thanks again, wish me luck! Oh yeah, almost forgot, I live in Del Valle, TX. That's just 10min. East of Austin. RT

[Edited by RThomas on 02-06-2001 at 03:02 AM]

I'll buy it before you do, Larry! I'm lookin' for another 300D to drive at least until the odo hits 500K!

__________________
Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)

I said it first! I got first dibs! (I'll trade you my '83 300D for your 500SEL...looks better in my driveway anyway.
-Larry

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Hey RThomas, I lived in Del Valle from 1985 - 1987. Just outside the gate of Bergstrom AFB. From what I hear they closed that place down. Sure would be nice to go back down to Texas. I loved livin' in Texas. Problem was, I was married at the time and my wife (now ex-wife) was from NEW YORK. She had me crackin' up one time. She said she didn't like living in Texas cuz the Texan's were so RUDE! She was from New York! Gimme a break!

Larry, It does look kinda' nice in your driveway. BTW everybody. Those oil spots underneath my 500SEL are from LARRY'S 300D. Not my 500SEL.



[Edited by fz500sel on 02-07-2001 at 01:30 PM]

__________________
Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)

Buy it.The miles on it are great the price sounds like a givaway.The ones with around 100 k are less desiable to me.Around that time you may have to do the starter the alternator the waterpump.Etc.Than your ready for another 100k BUY IT

wow...all these austin guys. cool! i'm in austin myself as well. as far as mercedes mechanics, steer clear of phoenix motor works on 6th street. i'll never take my car there again. they did their best to pad the bill by fixing stuff i had not approved incuding 42$ to replace a headlight!!

about the oil leak on these cars, i'm really concerned now after what you guys have said. mine seems like it leaks too much and i would feel bad if i parked it in a friend's driveway. the car runs and sounds great though. i was really hoping it was going to be a rather simple fix.