I found a 1979 300d euro for sale and hope to get out to see it later today. It has a 4 speed manual transmission. Any specific problem areas that I need to check?

How many miles? At about 250k the timing chain can become an issue. Clutches are generally good for 150k or therabouts. And let the owner start the car from stone cold while you stand outside and look for smoke at the tailpipe and check for nailing (not unusual) in the engine compartment.

The GOOD thing about the car is that it should have manual crank-up windows and NO climate control. This car would make a PERFECT candidate for a later turbo 5 cyl upgrade.

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

I love my 83 300D euro 4spd. HOWEVER, be aware the wiring is different than US, I have yet to find one diagram that maps brown/green to the door switch. Granted mine was made after they stopped the NA 300d in the US but still. That being said, the car has been Federalized, the hacking into the wiring system varies with mileage and expertise. Mine has been a nightmare but the 4spd makes up for it in fun factor. I would love a turbo in this thing.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

How many miles per gallon of fuel do you get?

Is the acceleration decent?

I have had several 300d turbos, which had ok acceleration, but I really don't like auto transmissions. That is why I am interested in this one.

I've always heard that the Euro 123's were far more prone to rust. Look at it closely.

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

It has 330,000 miles on it. Is that too many?

It all depends on the condition of the car. If it shifts smooth and the clutch feels good and most importantly it starts easily and runs well 330.000 isn't too much. The only thing you have to worry is that if it is a euro and has a mph/miles speedo/odometer there are always the kilometers the car acquired before it was brought over meaning that generally the true mileage is unknown. Check for rust in the usual places and if you aren't sure give us a very good description of what you see.

I personally own 2 300d euros, a 79 (built in 78) and an 81. The 79 has some rust but shifts well with an older clutch and the 81 runs like a champ and besides bad paint on a rear fender it is a great car in and out. The 4 speeds with the 5 cylinder are by no means fast but they are a bit quicker off the line over the turbos and I live in california and I have no trouble merging or keeping up with traffic.

An option if the price isn't too high and the engine sucks would be to put in a 617 turbo. Something I plan to do on one of my euro's once one of the engines looses its power.

Good luck.

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-Zack K.

http://www.maj.com/gallery/Boardmong...-Drive/si2.jpg


1983 300d Turbo (Daily Drive) -- 243,000 miles
1979 280ce AMG (Beginning extreme restoration) -- 141,410 miles
1979 Yamaha Chappy LB50 (Awating new points) -- 1411.6 miles

1981 300d Euro 4 speed -- 188,421 km -- SOLD
1979 300d Euro 4 speed (Sold to Brother) -- 257,000 miles

A Collection of w123 AMG Cars and Parts

Hey....... Nice cars in the picture

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My Truck.. 2007 DODGE, 5.9 Cummins, 6spd stick, 4X4. My car..1977 240D, OTHER WHEELS...1955 VW Oval window bug, European Delivery (Holland) with a 1700cc, 2 barrel, Porsche drum brakes. 1939 WILLYS Pick-up. 1967 Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub. 1976 Honda 550F 4cyl Motor Cycle.

I bet he's got a diesel in that blue beatle in the picture.

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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