Hello Diesel Heads!

I am casually browsing for a car to someday replace my 1996 Dodge Neon Coupe (bought new, now 103k miles, too many oil leaks, too many bad O2 sensors, too short of life span for break rotors and pads, etc). I have a 1966 230SL that I enjoy and that has taught me something about MB engineering, therefore I'm considering an older MB sedan as a daily driver (rain, snow & salt, etc). I like the look and size of the old MB sedans as well. I read lots of posts comparing diesels (non-turbo vs. turbo, w123 vs. w116 vs. w126) and other posts describing various issues. My friend saw a good looking w123 300D Turbo for sale ($4200) that I would like to look at. I have not driven a w123 yet, nor any MB diesel. Obviously, I'll document the VIN number, engine number, option codes on the under-hood plate, and the milage. I'll also ask to see maintenance history, ask for the original data card, manuals, etc.

What should I look for, mechanically and cosmetically, when examining this model? What are signs of a neglected 300D Turbo engine? Do these rust in the typical places - front fender seams, headlights, wheel wells, trunk, etc? What should I expect for this price range?

Many thanks in advance!!!

__________________
NOW: 2017 C43 AMG, 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, 1966 230SL, 1980 450SL (for sale!)
PAST: 2006 C230, 1997 E300D, 1994 E420, 1994 Neon Spt Cpe, 1984 300ZX, 1983 Celica GT, 1976 Electra Limited, 1984 Honda Nighthawk 650, 1979 Suzuki PE175, 1978 Suzuki DS100
www.mbca.org - www.sl113.org - www.ohio4x4.com

Just bought an '84 300D turbo a few months ago for 3100. Love it and am looking for another. For 4200 you should be able to get a great southern car, no rust, good compression, good paint with everything working (perhaps not the ac). Watch on ebay and you'll see many going from 2900 to 4500 that have half a life left.

__________________
DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Check out the 300D with 74k miles - they are asking $10k for it.



http://www.ajcclassifieds.com/osform/MVCCService?osform_template=%2Fstandard%2Fquery.oft&publication=atlanta&category=TransportationVehiclesAutomobiles&sortAttribute=summary&sortOrder=ascending&branding=atlanta&fastSearchHelp=&fullTextHelp=&startDate=6/4/2001&startDate_comparison=less&displayCount=30&adDescription_regex=ajc1075srchMerce%20AND%20%28300D%29

Jim

Thanks Donkey and Diesel Dan,

So, by your responses, I have learned the following:

What problems should I look for, mechanically and cosmetically, when examining this particular model? - Don't know yet.

What are signs of a neglected 300D Turbo engine? - Don't know yet. Found from another topic that exhaust(?) comes out of the oil filler cap when engine is running on cars with bad valves and/or bad compression.

Do these rust in the typical places - front fender seams, headlights, wheel wells, trunk, etc? - Don't know yet.

What should I expect for this price range? - A darn nice car with everything working.

Please help me with some specifics.

Thanks,

__________________
NOW: 2017 C43 AMG, 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, 1966 230SL, 1980 450SL (for sale!)
PAST: 2006 C230, 1997 E300D, 1994 E420, 1994 Neon Spt Cpe, 1984 300ZX, 1983 Celica GT, 1976 Electra Limited, 1984 Honda Nighthawk 650, 1979 Suzuki PE175, 1978 Suzuki DS100
www.mbca.org - www.sl113.org - www.ohio4x4.com

OK. I'm not getting the 300D Turbo I saw today. I didn't speak with the owner as he wasn't available, but the sign said he was asking $4200. Car is a '82 with 192k miles. Dash is cracked in several places. Paint is getting that "cracked enamel" look and is truly faded in some spots. Interior, not only the seats, is worn. Starting to get some rust around the rear wheels. Light blue with dark blue interior. Seems to have been parked outside most of it's life. I guess I could still drive this one so I can compare it a good one when I find it.

Thanks for you help!

__________________
NOW: 2017 C43 AMG, 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, 1966 230SL, 1980 450SL (for sale!)
PAST: 2006 C230, 1997 E300D, 1994 E420, 1994 Neon Spt Cpe, 1984 300ZX, 1983 Celica GT, 1976 Electra Limited, 1984 Honda Nighthawk 650, 1979 Suzuki PE175, 1978 Suzuki DS100
www.mbca.org - www.sl113.org - www.ohio4x4.com

Is it just me, or do the blue dashboards seem the most prone to cracking?

Oh yeah, the 83 onward models have different seats. They're more contoured, and the front seatbacks curve inward for more space in the rear. And I prefer the 120mph speedometer that the 83 onward models have... *sigh*

Two quick tests to perform on prospective purchases. with engine running and oil cap in place remove breather hose from the valve cover and plug the opening if the engine dies in under ten seconds there is excessive blow by (low compresssion). The other quick test is Park to reverse. With engine running and foot on the brake move shifter from park to reverse. if the time to engage reverse is two seconds or more you have excessive clutch pack wear. There are some fine points to interpreting the results but I've got to run.

Bob D.

when I first got my 81 sd I tried the thumb over the breather trick and the engine died quickly.I was quiet disturbed as the previous owner had given me a written statment that the engine had only 66 k on it. I then cleaned the egr valve whitch was completely plugged and then the engine ran fine with thumb test.
William Rogers..........

On my 6-cylinder 300d I did the same thing. But instead of stalling, the engine pumped oil out the dipstick tube!

I think my PCV is stuck open, though, because I get lots of oil leakage out the intake manifold (EGR not enabled) and I feel suction, not pressure, under the oil fill cap!

[Edited by jrd on 06-10-2001 at 04:32 PM]