300SDL Need Opinions - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

powerpig · #1 01-20-2007, 09:46 PM

I can't believe that I'm posting a "tell me what to do thread" but I need some informed opinions to either talk me into or out of buying this beast. Here's the down and dirty:

87 300SDL
One owner
250,000 miles
Exterior fair with one rust spot on front rocker panel
Interior really nice...probably a 9 out of 10
Starts and runs really well. No blowby
Needs front transmission seal
Talked him down to $1149 for the car out the door. (It's a dealer)

Informed opinions appreciated.

#2 01-20-2007, 09:58 PM

what a steal! get it.

Brian Carlton · #3 01-20-2007, 10:05 PM

It's a good price if the head is not cracked.

On that engine it's not easy to tell immediately.

Start it up and observe the expansion tank for any bubbles with the cap removed.

Drive it and thoroughly warm it up. Park it overnight. In the morning feel the upper hose. It should be soft. If it's firm, open the cap on the expansion tank. If the hose is now soft, avoid purchasing the vehicle.

The definitive answer for a cracked head is continued loss of coolant and/or coolant in the oil. But, you probably don't have the time to verify this.

If it's not going to sell immediately, you could possibly get an oil analysis done on it.

Or, just buy it and roll the dice. If the head is found to be cracked, the investment is not very large. It probably can be sold for the same price or it can be parted.

powerpig · #4 01-20-2007, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by henrydupont

what a steal! get it.

I'm really considering it, but the transmission seal may run $600-$1200 to fix. Is it a deal even with the money on repairs?

GRIESL · #5 01-20-2007, 10:18 PM

Sounds like a deal, but I would do as Brian suggested--do as much as you can to inspect head (and I'd add compression). I heard a wise dude on this forum once say the most expensive Benz is the cheap Benz. I kind of wish I had heard that before I bought my "cheap" Benz. Good luck!

powerpig · #6 01-20-2007, 10:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRIESL

Sounds like a deal, but I would do as Brian suggested--do as much as you can to inspect head (and I'd add compression). I heard a wise dude on this forum once say the most expensive Benz is the cheap Benz. I kind of wish I had heard that before I bought my "cheap" Benz. Good luck!

Checked it as much as I possibly could at the lot. Due to the transmission seal, the thing is leaking fluid badly but only from that area. No smoke and the engine is really smooth. Forgot to mention, it has all records. It was well taken care of but the PO did'nt want to spend the money on the seal and traded it in.

GRIESL · #7 01-20-2007, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by powerpig

Checked it as much as I possibly could at the lot. Due to the transmission seal, the thing is leaking fluid badly but only from that area. No smoke and the engine is really smooth. Forgot to mention, it has all records. It was well taken care of but the PO did'nt want to spend the money on the seal and traded it in.

Does it shift ok? I'm a risk taker, so I'd say go for it. Heck if you could show a dieselhead no blowby and good compression on that model, you could just about get your money back selling the motor. Even if you put a new trans in it for 2k, if that's the only thing wrong with it you'd have less in that than I got in mine. All of a sudden I'm jealous. What lot is that car on?

powerpig · #8 01-20-2007, 10:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GRIESL

Does it shift ok? I'm a risk taker, so I'd say go for it. Heck if you could show a dieselhead no blowby and good compression on that model, you could just about get your money back selling the motor. Even if you put a new trans in it for 2k, if that's the only thing wrong with it you'd have less in that than I got in mine. All of a sudden I'm jealous. What lot is that car on?

Your killing me! Here's a pic of the car. I also found another SDL that needs a new injector pump and he's asking $1950.

JimmyL · #9 01-20-2007, 10:48 PM

Buy it, pay to have tranny fixed, never let it over heat, and enjoy yourself a very nice ride.......

powerpig · #10 01-20-2007, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyL

Buy it, pay to have tranny fixed, never let it over heat, and enjoy yourself a very nice ride.......

I really appreciate all the feedback. As far as the other one I just found, how much do you guys think for a new injector pump?

sixto · #11 01-20-2007, 11:03 PM

In a recent thread Larry Delor offered a known good pump for $850. Most places will want an exchange so get the bad one if you get the car.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

powerpig · #12 01-21-2007, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sixto

In a recent thread Larry Delor offered a known good pump for $850. Most places will want an exchange so get the bad one if you get the car.

Sixto
93 300SD 3.0

The car is running but is idling rough. The current owner thinks it may need the pump. It may just need adjusting. If I can get him down a bit, I may get this one.

Hatterasguy · #13 01-21-2007, 02:42 PM

Front trans seal should cost about $400ish. For that kind of money I'd roll the dice.

Chances are the pump isn't bad in your second choice, could be leaking delivery valve seals. $5.

Hit Man X · #14 01-21-2007, 02:42 PM

Check out the rust further.

$600 to replace a trans seal?

You can get a rebuilt one for just a few beans more. At 250K, it's on the way out (borrowed time). Due to the miles, I'd just go through it... at the price of the vehicle, you can't beat it even if you have to drop $1k doing the trans.

Paint looks nice and if interior is nice too, it's worth it even with a dead trans. $2000 is ABSURD for a reman unit. Interior and exterior are the most expensive to redo properly.

Rough idle could be many things. I seriously doubt it's the IP, could be a lame injector, low compression, bad motor mounts, etc.

powerpig · #15 02-19-2007, 05:55 PM

Just an update: Bought the one with the transmission seal problem. $1600 including repair with warranty. Sold my 87 420SEL to make room for it. Picking it up Friday. Wife hates me more now!