Hi everyone. I'm considering buying a 240D or 300D. Currently, I'm looking at a 87 300D with over 200K on it. I'm new to diesels, but would like to know if there's anything specific to look for when checking out a 300D. It seems like they can go for over 300K, so an 87 with 250K for under $2000 seems reasonable. What do you guys think? Thanks ahead of time for your insight.

Welcome to the club !!

Try using the search function and get lots of answers via the archives. When you need clarification, ask specifics and you'll get more input.

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
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1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

I think you will get a lot more information by searching this forum. This question has likely come up many times. Click search on the top, then select "advanced search." If you do a search on "Buying 300D" looking in titles only, you will start to get some info. Then you can go from there.

That price range you mention is correct, but it relies on a lot of things. $2000 for a mostly non-rusty 300D or 240D running well around 200-250k mi with only a couple minor quirks would be average. External condition seems to drive price up more than running condition... most of these cars will run a long time, but avoiding rust is always an uphill battle, making those cars a little more rare, especially here in the "rust belt."

If there is major rust (especially frame rust) or other issues like rough/weird shifting, a bunch of power stuff that doesn't work, major oil leaks, in need of front end work, etc, you can expect to pay a few hundred less, down to about $1000, as long as it is still drivable.

I just bought a 300SD with 214k, decent interior, a little rust, drivable for the moment, but in need of some repairs within the next year, for $1500, if that gives you an idea. I regularly see less than perfect but drivable 300SD's go for around that in this area, while 300D's seem to fetch a little more for some unknown reason here.

If a car has had a lot of owners, it is sometimes hard to track what has been done to it... for example, a car with 250K that has never had the trans rebuilt is probably in for a major/expensive repair at some point along the way, but you may not know, as you may not have documentation of what has or hasn't been done.

Good luck searching and good luck buying. There seems to be a lot of these cars around, so don't be too afraid that you are missing out if you don't buy the first one you see.

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The '87 300D is a little unique. It has the OM603 6-cyl engine of the 300SDL, was in its time "the fastest production diesel" at 128mph and 8.7sec 0-55mph.

That being said, normal selling prices vary from $2500-$3500 with exceptional examples only bringing perhaps $4500 or so usually. 250k miles puts it solidly in the first range, depending on condition. A little rust around the jack points and where the upper trim meets the body is probably the most common and I don't see it changing the selling prices much, but I prefer no rust, ... severe or structural rust would turn me away completely just because it isn't worth what it would cost to repair.

Things to look for are head cracks/leaks, can be as much as you paid for the car to repair. Not tremendously common but not rare either on this engine, head-gasket leaks also plagued this otherwise great engine, look for oil in the coolant and coolant in the oil, search for "head casting number" on this site to see if it has a replacement head.
Air conditioning / heating problems can get expensive and are probably the most common problem on this car, as can be loose suspension componenents. Any item that doesn't work should be deducted from its price.

All being said, these cars don't sell for a ton of money, but they do sell fast. Seems that every time a decent one goes up for sale, I'm too late to get it at $3500 or so. Even the rough ones tend to sell quite fast. For $2k, I'd say snap it up if you can't find a major fault, you should be in a good position.

Last, don't spend your last dollar on the car. Used parts are available as the early gas models are starting to populate junkyards, engine and transmission parts are a little harder to find, but you will likely need to have some repairs made after you buy the car, and a complete fluid change is one of your first PM items if you don't have documents on recent changes.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff