Hi everyone! This last weekend I picked up a used 1993 300D Turbo with 197k miles on it for $4800. It's in great shape with only a few issues I'll ask about later (dealer gave it a good bill of health).

Right now I have just two general questions.

1) Is there anything I should know about this car and a Mercedes in general for a newbie like me (I’ve already read some of the other threads related to this type of question but I thought I should ask)?

2) Is there anything I should know about owning a diesel as I've never had one before?

Thanks,
PaulW

1)i have almost the same car with the same miles, heres a list of the stuff ive replaced in the last 20k miles or so:

AC compressor
AC evaporator coil
AC fan motor
shocks/struts all around
cylinder head (whoa)
rebuilt turbo

thats just the stuff i remember. 200k miles seems like when you have to just start replacing stuff, so i hope youre up to it!

2)dont put gas in it

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1991 300 D 2.5 Turbo, 220k
also in the family:
1981 240 D 185k
1991 350 SD 185k
2006 S 500
2005 SLK 350

Paul, try to stay current on all maintenance. Review schedule. Read the diesel forums.

You'll quickly learn that diesels and Mercedes are very costly to repair when big things start to fail. Start a slush fund

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1998 W210 diesel (wiped out by a texter)
Baum spring compressor "for rent"

Ok you guys are freaking me out! No I am not up to replacing all that stuff! Maybe I should just sell now. :S


PaulW

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1993 300D 2.5 Turbo Diesel - 201k miles

Give it a little time. Cars don't run forever, not even MBz diesels. Find out if the car is going to be well-behaved.

Do you know the previous owner, history of this car, etc.?

Yes I know the previous owner and have complete maintenance history. It has always been serviced at the MB Dealership in Tucson, AZ and they said the previous owner has taken very good care of the car and had all maintenence performed. I need to dig into the history more on a car this age there is a lot! For good or bad I really trusted the dealership and there knowledge of the car and its life.
It seems the only major thing that has been replaced is the radiator two times.

Paul

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1993 300D 2.5 Turbo Diesel - 201k miles

$200 and that's my final offer!

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82 300D....went to MB heaven
90 350 SDL....excercising con rods

Hey Paul and welcome to the fourms! There is so much info here for you to absorb that you could read for several lifetimes. Always ask if there is something we can help you with.

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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

Paul,

In terms of what you're looking at for maintenance costs, perhaps my experience will help (I have same car, but a 1992). I bought mine with 137,000 miles and it now has 178,000. Over the course of 2-1/2 years I find I spend about 12 cents per mile on repairs proper and about 18 cents a mile if you include all maintenance. I should say that I don't do any of the work myself....have always taken it to an independent tech.

In my case, it's been front end stuff, radiator, blower, glow plugs, ball joints, plus some more minor items.

Still think I've gotten a good deal. Paid $5900 for the car. One way I like to think of it is adding the $5,000 or so I've spent on repairs and telling myself I spent $11,000 for a great car that's needed no repairs!

In any event, it's a fabulous car....but you will be spending not insigificant money on repairs if my experience is even remotely representative.

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14 E250 Bluetec 4Matic "Sinclair", Palladium Silver on Black, 159k miles
06 E320 CDI "Rutherford", Black on Tan, 178k mi, Stage 1 tune, tuned TCU
91 300D "Otis", Smoke Silver on Tan, 145k mi, wastegate conversion, ALDA delete

19 Honda CR-V EX 75k mi
Fourteen other MB's owned and sold
1961 Very Tolerant Wife

Best diesel car Mercedes has ever made, best enginnered, best build quality and best materials. I have owned three, one brand new. Keep it maintained and the car will out live you. Just ask the cabbies in Amersterdam that still drive them. They trow rocks at the 201s and the 123s