clear florida (former california) title, 1982, 257k miles, no rust, no dents, paint bad, tires dryrotted, interior leather completely shot, dash cracked, starts right up without working glowcycle, nails, tranny good, too much oil in the engine, windows have issues, never been hit, has been sitting with water leaking into the car.

$100. fix it or part it?

Run. Dryrot on the tires and too much oil=water in engine.

I can change the oil and filters and drive it some though. I got some tires lying around. $100 isn't bad for a complete car

I agree, if you can use $100 worth of parts off it, you basically get the rest for free.

I'd go for it but keep a close eye on the engine if you run it.

it sounds like a rod bearing kinda... but also like nailing injectors... didn't watch the oil pressure pegging out dumb enough. too busy being excited I guess
maybe the injectors are bad, maybe the pump is advanced? or the diesel has just gone rancid in the 2 years sitting out

Run down there and buy it! $100 for an sdl is a good deal. If you dont want to do the work sell it for more.
A rough running diesel can sound like it has a rod knock.

I don't think they made an SDL in 82... however, the SD is an awesome vehicle in it's own right, and rust free straight is worth it in my Opinion. leather is always shot, go snag a RUSTBUCKET and swap over some matching MB tex interior. clean the carpets and headliner, replace all the electronics in the dash. and you got yourself a nice car. I love my 82SD, it was in similar condition, and I have gotten it just about perfect now. I still have to go through the dash and repalce all the damaged electronics in there, but I love to drive it, and wouldn't give up mine for anything... well maybe a perfect SDL. mmmmm 6Cyllinder DI motor... mmmmm
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I'd always buy a running MB diesel for $100.00... this one sounds save-able, and maybe worth doing so. keep in mind above comments about the engine, though.

Heck, I've paid $500 for a car in almost that shape, ended up selling for more than that (was honest with the in-person buyer) they wanted to do WVO and I thought that 300D should get that kind of experimenting before, say, a car like my 300SD- which, BTW, proves that leather seats are not *always* shot in these cars- mines still nice, front and rear at 247K...