Need Some Advice: Buying 1982 300TD Wagon - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RJSkypala · #1 05-09-2006, 11:18 PM

Hello All,

I am currently looking at a 1982 300TD Wagon that I intend to convert to WVO/SVO. I am a student so my search for Diesel Benz's has kept me in the <$2000 area. The reasons I am very interested in this particular car are #1 the price and #2 I really want a station wagon. The owner commutes with the car about 130 miles everyday, there was a new engine recently installed about 150,000 ago and a new transmission that has about 50,000 on it. The first problem is that the turbocharger is broken, I am not extremely knowledgeable so I don't know the implications of this but the owner still drives it everyday and as long as driving it without the turbocharger does not mess it up too much I don't mind it being broken and will probably replace it somewhere down the line. The other problem, which only happened in the last week since I talked to the owner about the car, is that one of the rear axles has snapped and needs to be replaced. Now because of this the owner has lowered his asking price from $1,200 to $500. I was wondering if a broken axle necessarily connotates a permanent damage and how much it usually is to replace. The rest of the car seems to be in good shape. I am drawn to the car by the relative low milage on the engine and the fact that the owner drives long-distance daily with it seems to be a good indicator to me that the car is in good operable order. Any advice regarding my purchase and the turbocharger and axle would be greatly appreciated.

thanks alot!

Motorhead · #2 05-09-2006, 11:47 PM

did the guy say that the axel at the rear wheel broke or did one of the half shaft joints fail? If the half shaft failed, it isn't a real big deal to replace nor too expensive.
I bought a '84 300D wagon for my wife and I think that the previous owners thought the turbo had failed because it had a new one on it but still no power. I took the boost line off from the intake manifold and cleaned out the gunked up banjo bolt. I still got no boost pressure to the inj pump. I went and checked the over boost bleed off valve that is mounted on the drivers side firewall. I found that it was plugged solid. I carefully cleaned it out with a small piece of safety wire then cleaned it further with some spray cleaner. I also put a BB in the vacuum line to the EGR valve. The engine ran beautiful with full power after that.
The one costly thing on the wagons is the hyd. rear suspension.

mobetta · #3 05-10-2006, 12:06 AM

nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes.

Motorhead · #4 05-10-2006, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes.

AH-MEN!!!!!

JimmyL · #5 05-10-2006, 01:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes.

Nothing more expensive than an expensive Mercedes also.

At $500 bucks, buy it! Buy it fast. It never has to be the perfect car to be a good solid car.
A half shaft is not hard at all to replace, and you can get a used one from ebay or from someone here. Or a wrecking yard for that matter.
Why does the owner say the turbo is inop. Does it just have no boost, or has a more specific diagnosis been performed?

Heck, almost any car that is a current daily driver is worth half a grand. But a diesel MB wagon daily driver..........

Did I mention "buy it".

RJSkypala · #6 05-10-2006, 08:38 AM

thanks. Yeah, I found someone with a used turbo for $150 so I will try the cleaning method and its not that big a deal. It is at the guys shop now so unless I find an axle from someone here pretty soon I may have to pay a little more for it.

JimmyL · #7 05-10-2006, 11:49 AM

If you would include your location in your signature (this applies to everyone), then somebody close to you may have a half shaft.

RJSkypala · #8 05-10-2006, 02:11 PM

Location is Long Island (home) or Hudson Valley in the Red Hook/Rhinebeck/Poughkeepsie are for school. Both are operable.

thanks

Tiredofagasser · #9 05-11-2006, 03:47 AM

Wow you're a lot closer than I am. I have been eyeing that for a looong time! Since September even!!

I will look no longer though. You seem very serious about this. Did they come up with the paper work for the engine/ tranny? I asked and got a maybe response on both. Good luck! Price started @ $3200 I think..

Jim B. · #10 05-11-2006, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mobetta

nothing more expensive than a cheap mercedes.

We all start with that motto tatooed on our foreheads, but.....

with fuel prices, and the WVO/biodiesel craze putting diesel wagon W123 prices into orbit, this car could be worth getting into. Everyone wants a MB diesel these days.

Is it a Euro import, or original sold in the USA? Books stamped by dealer and/or Indie mechanics, condition overall, does it have rear air suspension, in good condition?

Also, is it RUST FREE (fair question to ask of a car found around New York)
floors, rockers, trunk, jacking points?)

Pictures wouldn't hurt our feelings.

Jim B.