Need Advice: How Can I Keep My 300td For Another 20 Years? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#1 06-03-2006, 08:05 PM

I recently bought an 85 300td with only 150k miles on her. I really ove this car. My situation is this: I have a lease right now on a chrysler. I pay almost $600.00 a month on that pos ! I should have just waited and got this Benz, it blows away my brand new Chrysler. My lease is up in 2 years, I know in 2 years I will need a car so when I found this sweet deal on the 300 TD I grabbed it. The benze is a second car that I dont need right now. I will driver her on weekends and for leisure maybe 8k miles a year until the lease is up on the Chrysler, then the Benz will be my main ride. So right now I am doing the necessary repairs and fixing a couple of tiny rust spots etc. Is this practical, to buy a car that I wont really need for 2 years? Will these 123 body diesels ever really go out of style? I was going to put her away in the garage for 2 years, but a friend told me that will do more harm than good and I be better served driving her even if only one day a week.

TheDon · #2 06-03-2006, 08:06 PM

just make sure you never get into an accident that causes the car to be totaled or is totaled

t walgamuth · #3 06-03-2006, 10:48 PM

there is truth in it being hard on a car to not be driven. of course, it is expensive to keep insurance on it and licenses. if not used, the battery will eventually die. the brakes may stick on you and the mice might set up a mouse condominium somewhere inconvenient. so you make your choices. sitting for a year may be cheaper to make repairs from than licensing and insuring it.

if you decide to let it sit get with us and we can make suggestions for storage.

tom w

#4 06-03-2006, 10:49 PM

I would keep it on the road, not in storage, while continuing to restore/preserve it. You should be able to drive it indefinitely (assuming you don't wreck it), it's just a matter of time and money. My 300D had about 150K miles when I bought it, it's now in much better condition with 330K miles. You can repair/replace everything that wears out, up to and including the engine. Rust and accidents are about the only things that can really be fatal.

Hatterasguy · #5 06-03-2006, 10:55 PM

For 20 years? Keep the modern car as daily ride. Only remove MB from garage on nice days, snow is out of the queston. Rain, ehh try to avoid that. Shoot for 3k-5k miles per year. Change fluids based on time, ignore mileage. Be ready to spend what it takes to keep one around. Ie come rebuild time of the engine and trans, come body work time ect.

P.E.Haiges · #6 06-04-2006, 11:58 AM

kobeck,

Your friend is FOS. Look at cars in museums, there many years and still look like new.

Keep in an garage and make sure your garage is humidity controlled and has a leak proof roof.

Most important thing for long term use: Keep it out of road salt. In NY that will mean U need another another car for the winter.

P E H

pastmaster · #7 06-04-2006, 12:26 PM

I have been in your situation for years, and sitting will definately age a car quicker and harder than occaisionally driving them. After having sat in storage for a while, they seem to awaken after about a weeks worth of daily drivng. The fresh fluids and use of the power accessories and their lubrication, really does make a good habit to get into. The electrical systems seem to take a beating by sitting. That's my experiance.

I live in Michigan, and our climates are about the same. Get a beater or another Urban or Winter Car, to use in bad weather conditions. That can also mean our Hot Summers when we have those high humidity 90-100 degree days for a few weeks. The UV and heat will affect old paint and leather, rubber, plastics, more than you think.

My experiance shows that USA cars stand upto this better than High End European Cars like RR, BMW and Jaguar, MB. I haven't owned a Japenese Car, but I think they will stand it better because of the caliber of their electronics, which is better than most.

You have to prepare to drive the car by more than just getting in it and driving. When you put the car away in storage again, you have to prepare it for that by cleaning and protecting the paint, interior, engine and brake fluids, in other words don't ride it hard and put it away wet. Repair what needs to be fixed and keep on top of it, and drive and enjoy it for as long as you will need it, and it will serve you faithfully. If we can afford to put fuel in them! Let me know if you need specifics, and I'll try to help. Enjoy your car!

BioBens · #8 06-04-2006, 03:20 PM

your Chrysler? Either way, get your TD up to snuff. Then drive it on biodiesel for 20 years, changing the oil and filters regularly.

#9 06-04-2006, 09:48 PM

Well, I guess if one properly stores a car in a proper garage etc etc then it would be ok. But on the other extreme, to just let it sit in the driveway for years will destroy her

t walgamuth · #10 06-04-2006, 11:20 PM

absolutely. inside makes a huge difference.

tom w

gtmotor · #11 06-05-2006, 01:09 PM

Move to Arizona

5 inches of rain a year, no snow, very low humidity (single digits sometimes). As long as you keep it in the garage away from the sun in the summer, cars last forever here.

Pete Burton · #12 06-05-2006, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig

I would keep it on the road, not in storage, while continuing to restore/preserve it. You should be able to drive it indefinitely (assuming you don't wreck it), it's just a matter of time and money. My 300D had about 150K miles when I bought it, it's now in much better condition with 330K miles. You can repair/replace everything that wears out, up to and including the engine. Rust and accidents are about the only things that can really be fatal.

I agree. My SD is better at 314K than it was at 220K when I bought it 10 years ago. If you can, get a parts car. Even though I overpaid for mine ($1500

) it's already paid for itself.