Addition to the stable, 1985 300D - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dmorrison · #1 10-20-2007, 08:34 PM

Today we picked up a 1985 300D which is actually my son's car. He paid for it and will pay for all parts and repairs.
Last weekend we had some real bad storms and lots of flooding in the Dallas area. He turned down a street and it was flooded with 2 cars stuck in the waters. He turned right to avoid the water (Turn around, don't Drown) and the car got stuck in some grass. They got out, the water rose and the car was flooded up to about the top of the transmission tunnel. It's sitting in the back right now with the carpet, seats and any interior that was wet out of the car. Well have to clean the transmission and differential. Nothing in the engine, so were lucky. It is fixable.
He decided a daily driver was needed to help preserve the 65 Mustang ( funny I thought I said that a o couple of months ago ). It was the daily driver since he was in High School. He's now out of College (BS, MBA and a MS) and has a job in the Finance Department at American Airlines. So it IS time for a daily driver.
Found a nice 85 300D in Craigslist and talked to the owner. An Aircraft Mechanic. It has some age on it but the engine and drive train run nicely.
Major things to do are drive shaft center bearing and support. Front left brake support and tie rod boot. Got a another drivers seat from another Craigslister that needs to go in. The owner was a big guy and the drivers seat is in really bad shape. A GOOD DETAILING, the owner was 73 so he was not inclined to really detail it, just to old for that. Some vacuum leaks ( ac element, shutoff ). Door straps, window regulators, door trim, etc. Change all fluids and filters, check timing chain and rails. With all of that I think the car will be good for another 4-5 years.
Right now it drives nicely except for the center drive shaft support and a need to balance the tires.

Just to add insult to injury were going to look at a 87 300SDL on Monday that the owner of an independent show said was the nicest 300SDL he knows of. Just what I need, another car. Right now in the back yard are the 82 300TD, 85 300D, 83 240D, 65 Mustang, 88 560SL and the 07 Accord. I have to have the son take the 300TD so I can get the cars in and out of the driveway/garage.

Dave

PS The previous owner was quite a character. He had refused to sell the car to 2 previous buyers because he felt that they would not really take care of the car, his baby. I guess when I came along He realized that I new everything about the car, more than he did, and wanted to bring it back to it's expected glory. He was able to let her go. Leaving his hanger he went over to the car to "say goodbye" .
He mentioned that if a kid my son's age would spend 2-3 years on the Mustang he would take care of "his" car.