I have always wanted a w123, especially the wagon (my dream car is E63 wagon) and I am looking at a 200,000 mile 82 300TDT with a bit of rust on one rear wheel well and no AC. I am looking to use one for as a roundabout and mostly winter car with a set of winter tires.

I am new to the diesel and MB in general and expect a bit of maintenance cost. Besides the transmission rebuild, suspension and rust, what else should I be watching out for? My DIY skill is limited to plug change (which is not even on the diesels), brakes and fluid changed.

Am I biting into something more than I should be? Also, how is the w124 models compared to w123, in terms of repair cost and reliability?

TIA,

John

they are pretty bulletproof in many ways if gotten to prime condition mechanically but the wagons also have some extra stuff to maintain that sedans don't have, like the automatic leveling system.

and a car wo ac is about saleproof here in indiana. do you live way north?

if so that might not be a problem.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Unless way north is above Edmonton, Canada.....you need AC.

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79 300SD - $50 out of pocket purchase
03 Dodge Ram 3500 CTD
2003 VW Jetta TDI

I've had AC problems ever since I got my car. I have tried and tried and spent $$ trying to have it fixed, or fix it myself. Refrigerant leaks out as fast as it's put in. Riding in this car in the summer is like riding in a pizza forni. One of these days I'll kick it in the head, but you do want functioning AC or you will be miserable.

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'02 BMW 325i
'85 300D 450k
'93 190E 2.6 170k(killed by tree)
'08 Ducati Hypermotard 1100S 6k
'06 Ducati S2R800 14k(sold)

jbshin,

What do U mean no plugs in Diesels?

Ever hear of glow plugs (GP)? U need a digital ohmeter to test them.

P E H

how can you tell someone else what they need. i'm way south of edmonton (in massachusetts) and have never even tried to turn on a/c in any of my cars. and when i lived in nj, i didn't use it either. when i had a 1984 190D 2.2, the a/c was working and i turned it on when i was driving a friend somewhere who was complaining about the heat. the loss of power was so appalling that i never turned it on again. i think a/c is one of those luxuries that is really unnecessary (unless you live in az, maybe, and drive through the desert at 120F in a black car), and just creates a huge carbon footprint. 50 years ago nobody even knew about it and people were just fine then.

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1974 240D, 125K mi, B100 now, SOLD
1980 300TD, 115K mi, 4-speed stick, roll-up windows, greasecar with two tank conversion (daily driver)
1985 300D, 220K miles, greasecar with two tank conversion, SOLD
1993 300D 2.5turbo, 158K miles, green/tan, B20-B50

I never use it either. My wife's car has it, but I only use it if other people in the car seem warm. I didn't grow up with AC in my house then again either and it gets into the 90's and HUMID up here in the summer.

I drove around the US for 40 days touring in a band in the July/August months a few years ago including Florida, Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, etc. and never had AC. I don't remember ever thinking it was that terrible... I just put a wet towel on my head when it got really bad (of course I didn't care about smelling or looking bad in that case).

I guess it depends on what you do and what kind of traffic you are in. If you drive to work in a suit, then you may need it more than people who actually dress appropriate to the weather.

Now no heat in your car, that would be a different thing for us northern folks!

To actually answer one of your questions (something you'll find shop forums users are especially bad at doing), I would look not only at the body rust, but what is underneath. Look at the frame rails in particular.

It is possible to have a little rust on the body but totally clean and solid frame (I had a TD like this), but then it is possible to have a totally clean body and a rotten rust pit underneath, so check it out.

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What's AC?

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Yes, I am aware of glow plugs, I meant spark plugs. Can't you tell I am new a this? :-)

I have another car I can use during the summer months, otherwise AC would be a must in wonderful VA humidity. I wasn't able to look underneath the car, but the rear fender rust will need attention soon. The interior is quite nice for the car over 25 years old, and the paint is decent.