My Newest Toy...a 300D! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

JPMOSE · #1 02-12-2007, 11:26 AM

Well I took the plunge and bought the following 1983 300D:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1983...1QQcmdZViewItem

I had a mechanic friend (who knows Mercedes well) from LA look it over first and it was in great shape! I will need to replace the wood on the console, along with new window switches for cosmetic reasons only. The dash needs a dash cover. I will also get new mats, headlight covers and replace anything on the front if it appears aged. That is about it!

This will become my daily driver. I had a 1981 300SD from 1985 through 2003, driving it from 50k miles until 325k miles....it was total by a van full of people -- driven by an uninsured motorist! I then purchased an S320 LWB and really felt like I jumped up a notch until a lot of A/C and electrical problems started to develop! I quickly started to miss the earlier chassis' and my 300SD. You see, after driving my old diesel friend for 275k, I grew quite dependent on her. Last year I purchased a 250SL and have enjoyed restoring her. I sold the S320 and replaced it with a 1987 560SL. The tops have hardly been up since.

Recently, I thought it would be nice to get an old diesel with high miles that has been maintained but would sell real cheap. "I can use the diesel for daily driving or at least when the weather is bad and keep my 560SL as a fair weather car". I went back and forth with the W123, W116 and even the W126 (but I was ready to try something new) diesels. I also considered a great 190D 2.5 Turbo, but decided in the end that it would either be a W116 300SD or a W123 300D Sedan. The W123 coupes and wagons are getting up there in cost and I really want the nicest one I could find without spending extra because of the rarity.

Well, that's my story! The W123 has won and couldn't be happier. Buying off of Ebay can be a risk....but nowadays....EVERYBODY is selling cars on Ebay so you just need to get them checked out first. There is always a nice one around the corner if you are patient. When my 300D arrives in Atlanta (from So. Calif) I will have it checked out again by my local mechanic. I expect to invest some money in items but want to assure this car receives the same care as my SL's.

I miss all the little idiosyncrasies of the 3.0 turbo diesel engine and look forward hearing that familiar sound. The one thing I really had trouble with was my transmission on the old W126. Rough shifting and B2 piston problems plauged me for several years. In the final five years, I had a rebuilt transmission that had all the modifications and the car shifted beautifully. If this W123 has the harsh, crisp upshifting....I may not wait until it goes out before I get a rebuild!

I should have the car by end of the month. I have been quite active on the W113 and W107 sites....I am looking forward to becoming active on this site as well.

Are there other W123 sites I need to know about?

Thanks for listening!
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vstech · #2 02-12-2007, 11:54 AM

Hmm, I thought 81 was the last year of the 116 SD...
anyway, other sites? what other sites?
John

rrgrassi · #3 02-12-2007, 11:57 AM

Yes, there are other sites, but this one is best IMHO. There is one site that has the w123 gasser and diesels lumped together. I prefer keeping engine types segregated, but do not mind mixing chassis classes.

Welcome back to diesel!

JimmyL · #4 02-12-2007, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

Hmm, I thought 81 was the last year of the 116 SD...
anyway, other sites? what other sites?
John

1980