Hello.

I currently own a 1976 BMW 2002, I have never owned anything but a BMW but now I am thinking about purchasing a 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300SD. The car is a florida car (i am in michigan), there is not one spot of rust anywhere, the paint isnt in the best condition. The interior is spotless also. There are some quarks, speedometer doesnt work (rest of cluster does, so I am thinking maybe the wire has just come loose) slight transmission leak, but is a new transmission last october, the guy says its the seal.

When the car is sitting it has a slight rough idle, the air cleaner housing rattles, when the car is driving it is completely smooth, is this normal for diesels?

How are they one fuel consumption, difficulty in the winter?

The car was listed at 3000, I have talked him down to 1200 since I plan to do a restore and told him the ammount it will end up costing me to do some of the work. should I go ahead with this deal?

Go for it! I think most of them rattle like that. Expect 20 mpg. Anything over that is a bonus. If you are going to drive in Michigan salt invest in POR 15 and wash it daily, or it will look like the rest of them up here in no time.

__________________
1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

Best of luck with the restoration.

John

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John Hughes, was in Landstuhl, Germany but currently in San Antonio, TX


1978 280CE Astral Silver now 59,xxx miles and counting "Silber-Kugel"
1986 300E Black Pearl Metallic 143,xxx miles 5-spd daily driver w/ blk leather "Schwarz-Schönheit"
1989 190E 2.6 (euro) 5-spd Desert Taupe 112,xxx kms Had to leave behind in Germany!!! "Helga"
1983 300D Pastel Beige now 312,xxx + miles SOLD

OBK#24

It's hard to go wrong for $1200 if its running.

I do believe that there is a law against purchasing a rust-free W116 and operating it in MI in the winter.

If there is no law, there should be.

Welcome to the forum, BTW.

Outstanding.
Buy it. Take care of it. Enjoy it for decades to come.

I'd be interested to hear what the odometer reading currently is.

__________________
80 300D 340K Owned 30 yrs
83 300SD 440K Owned 9 yrs - Daily Driver 150mi/day
02 Z71 Suburban 117,000
15 Toyota Prius 2600 miles
00 Harley Sportster 24k
09 Yamaha R6
03 Ninja 250

As the owner of 2 1980 300SD's I heartily reccomend you purchase the car. I love both of mine (much to my wifes chagrin).
The rattling air cleaner is quite common and can be solved easily.
I also would like to know the mileage. If it is in decent condition it's certainly worth the 1200.

__________________
Joe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1980 300SD - 495k miles - 'The Ambassador'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Former Family Members
95 C280
73 280SEL
90 300D
87 300SDL (X2)
86 560SEL
84 300D
80 300SD

LOL you are a nut Brian

Yes I think it is a crime to sentence the old man to the rust belt. Just keep it washed or dont drive him in the salt.

__________________
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

Winter fuel, synthetic oil, good glowplugs, acceptable compression, strong battery and good starter should keep you predictably startable down to about 5 below zero in my experience. Temperatures below that will be much less stressful with a block heater. Many MB diesels already have them. Check for it.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Welcome
There is a law here in our great state of mi however, you are required to give the car to me.

are they difficult to drive in the winter? I know diesel can get like gel if it gets too cold and I have heard glow plugs aren't the most convinient. I will be driving it this winter and start the restore in the spring. Sorry for all the newb questions, I just know 0 about Mercedes, I am a BMW guy

I can only attest to Georgia winters which are of course considerably milder than Michgans. I have never had any problems starting my cars when the temps drop into the 20's around here. You may want to invest in a block heater considering the severe cold likely to be encountered in your part of the world.

__________________
Joe

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
1980 300SD - 495k miles - 'The Ambassador'
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Former Family Members
95 C280
73 280SEL
90 300D
87 300SDL (X2)
86 560SEL
84 300D
80 300SD

Here are a few pics of the car.

Also, the tires are shot on it, they are 195/70/14. I have a set of brand new state police winter tires in my garage from one of my BMW's, they are 185/65/14, will these work?

I am hearing a lot of flack about diesel cars, like I may be getting in over my head? Are these cars difficult to find parts for, or prone to problems?

Attached Thumbnails

       

I'm sure they will fit, but they are about 5% smaller diameter, so your speedo will read 5% high and you will probably decrease your highway fuel mileage by a couple of percent.

Edit: Also take a look at the load rating of the tires and compare it to the original tires. This is a pretty heavy car.