New Car Maintenance - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

imagesinthewind · #1 03-14-2006, 11:56 PM

If you brought home a new to you car (78 300SD in my case) what kinds of maintenace would you do?
I'm thinking of the obvious things; oil change, coolant flush, brake check (can a brake place do this or only a MB mech?) and glow plug check.

Let's say the car starts easily, runs well with little to no smoke.
It's also been well maintained with records going back 5 years.

Thanks,
Ginny in Denver

Lycoming-8 · #2 03-15-2006, 12:11 AM

The brake check you can do, and minimum would be to determine remaining thickness of the pads and e-brake shoes. Should also look at the rotors and see if they are smooth and have the required thickness. The glow plug test you have already done by indicating the car starts readily in Denver @ current temps. How does the tranny fluid look, is the level correct, do the records show any tranny fluid or filter changes? Power steering fluid and filter, differential level and color, are several other items to check.

timmyd · #3 03-15-2006, 12:25 AM

Did you get the 75 from the guy in Montana or did that fall through?

JimmyL · #4 03-15-2006, 12:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by timmyd

Did you get the 75 from the guy in Montana or did that fall through?

I was gonna ask the same thing. You did seem to love that car.....

imagesinthewind · #5 03-15-2006, 09:32 AM

Although I love that car, the seller isn't much in the way of communication and I STILL haven't heard from the since Saturday about the condition of the car. Im having second thoughts about the maintenance of it, history, etc.

I found a 78 300SD about 1.5 hours from me (as apposed to 14 hours for MT)and that guy has had his car for 10 years with all the records from 5 years ago. New paint (original color) 2 years ago, interior is great and overall looks like it just rolled off the showroom. All the electrics including the cruise and sunroof work, so I'd say that the Universe was trying to tell me something.
I do still have to get in contact with MT seller and tell them I won't be picking up the car and try to get my $500 deposit back. I figure they let the car sit for 2 months with no fuel and then two days before we were to pick it up they found that the car had issues. Lack of communication, still not able to get the car ready tells me that it's time to give up on this dream and take the SD and run.
I still like the 75 better, love that 115 body, extra tank, but gotta go with the car that's most likely to cost me less in the short term. Who knows what I'll find on the 75 in a month or so if I bring it home.

timmyd · #6 03-15-2006, 07:19 PM

You can get your deposit back! I don't really seem to trust that guy for some reason. I have looked at many of his auctions and something just isn't right. Might just be me though.

Please let us know if he is understanding enough to return your deposit though. That would be good for the board to know!

Ether · #7 03-15-2006, 07:40 PM

I know I love both of mine.

Make sure you check carefully for rust. The achilles heel of this magnificent body style is rust. That and the blasted acc servo!

To many, me included, the W116 is the quintessential MB. Though not as refined as the W126 it is a joy to drive and pretty simple to maintain for a DIY'er.

Good luck with yours.

imagesinthewind · #8 03-15-2006, 07:48 PM

Here's the link for the 300SD.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=4620558671&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

I must say that it's nicer in style and overall, but I really LOVE that W115 in MT. I just have a bad feeling about the car, not starting and the lack of communication. Gotta go with the gut.

Ginny

Ether · #9 03-15-2006, 07:59 PM

Looks nice.

He says that the AC servo and amp have been replaced so maybe you will be ok for a few years.

He mentions a small transmission fluid leak where the shift connector enters the transmission. I have the same leak in one of mine. It's been that way for the 5 years I've owned it. Never been a problem, just keep an eye on the fluid level.

imagesinthewind · #10 03-15-2006, 08:29 PM

Thanks Joe.
I pick this baby up on April 1.

Isn't this a bit bigger car than a regular 300D?

Ginny

JimmyL · #11 03-15-2006, 08:43 PM

Very nice clean car Ginny. I think you got alot "more" car for the $ than the 115. This one will haul kids better.....

You also have the upgraded alum. based servo. That is a good thing.

imagesinthewind · #12 03-15-2006, 09:04 PM

I do have 4 to haul around.
This car will be mostly the hubbys. He drives the same number of miles per day I do, but no kids. I've got the minivan (vomit) for the kids. Thankfully it's got a DVD (Venture) and AWD. Nice to have AWD in Colorado.

Ginny

Hatterasguy · #13 03-15-2006, 10:35 PM

Well its an oil car so in addition to above I'd replace the V belts, a bunch of heater hoses, probably a few power steering lines. Also check the oil cooler and trans cooler lines. If they are wet change them.

Rubber ages so pretty much start replacing anything under the hood.

Ether · #14 03-15-2006, 11:10 PM

I concur with everything Hatterasguy mentioned.

You may also want to check all of your vacuum lines and connectors. All those 3 way and 4 way connectors can get hard over the years and the vacuum won't be as tight as you would like. Be careful though, you may want to replace the various check valves and dashpots while you're at it. Those little suckers have been known to crumble apart when messed with.

Yes, the 300SD is a bit longer (and heavier) than the 300D.

novaalison23 · #15 03-15-2006, 11:34 PM

Remeber me, Im the one you were writing back and forth to from CL. Im glad to see you found one. Still selling mine, but Ive had some people offer me $200. And Im like NO WAY!!!!
Great to hear you found one, and maybe if I still have mine, we can go for a drive together.

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