I have a 1984 300d that I am thinking of using for a airport sedan/limo service. Would also be used for business travel. It has some minor rust that I need repaired and it needs a paint job. Total cost would be 4-5k.

Would it make more sense for me to travel south out of the corrosion states and find a good 300SDL for 4-5k and use that for the limo service? Does the SDL have a bigger interior? It just doesn't make sense to spend 5k on paint when I can spend 5k on paint with a whole other car under it.

Besides oxidizer and head issues, is there anything major to look for when looking at one of these vehicles?

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1984 300D Turbo.

Not to burst your bubble or anything. But I think most people who want a "limo" ride want to sit in a new Lincloln Town car or Cadillac. Most limo drivers I know say the customers always want to ride in the new stuff. Hence they have to keep buying new cars every couple of years.

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1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

I'd go for a rust free SDL, besides being rust free it's more like a limo. I saw a beautiful, absolutely perfect 1987 300SDL sell on eBay for $6k just a couple of months ago.

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1987 300SDL 167k
1992 Volvo 740 140k
1990 Volvo 740 250k
1989 Volvo 240 269k

Anyone want to trade an old Volvo for an '87 300sdl?

I am interested in bringing something different to the market.

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1984 300D Turbo.

will never know its not new unless it looks scruffy.

the back seat in an sdl is as close to a limo as you will get.

tom w

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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.

Depends on limo service I guess. Late model Lincoln's and MB's seem pretty standard. S350 (LWB) would be a good choice. S280's seem to be the limo/hotel car of choice overseas.

I'd look at it from more of a business perspective, these cars are not that cheap to run if you really start to pile the miles on.

You can probably pick up new Malibu or whatever Ford sells for that market (Crown Vic?) pretty cheap. Run a few making money on the low end until you can break into the high end.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I don't know if you've ever sat in the back seat of a 300D, but, if you're anything larger than a midget, the legroom is miniscule.

A good looking 300SDL fits the bill in terms of size and elegance. Even if you pay $7-8K for a good example, the customers will be more than satisfied with it.

The idea of a diesel limo is actually a bit confounding.....

but then i would never rent a limo anyway.

i doubt folks would hold it against a benz. most folks think they are all diesels any whoo.

tom w

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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.

Who wants to take the same old standard black Lincoln limo? Which, for airport runs isn't even a stretched limo, just a stinkin' Lincoln. What's the point of paying $ for a limo just to arrive in a car that no one even bothers to acknowledge? I think anyone with good taste would much rather ride in style in a 300SDL than a bland, blend-in, black Lincoln? I guess if you're trying to hide from someone, go with the Lincoln.

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1987 300SDL 167k
1992 Volvo 740 140k
1990 Volvo 740 250k
1989 Volvo 240 269k

Anyone want to trade an old Volvo for an '87 300sdl?

This would be ideal for airport limo service. Hard to find though.

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.

are very common in the middle east.

tom w

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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.

What is that? A RL (really long)

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1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine

Who was the forum member about a yr ago who started his own taxi service up in Vancouver, BC with all MB diesels???

He can offer some good advice.
BTW...Where are you located??

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'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

I live in minnesota, 30 or so miles from the airport... I am meeting with a guy who owns a limo business in the next week or two, to pick his brain. My 300D draws plenty of attention, I think a prettier 300SDL would draw more. I would personally much rather get picked up in a classic Mercedes than your run of the mill lincoln. I am looking to differentiate myself from my future competition.

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1984 300D Turbo.