1975 300d - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

RoysVeggy · #1 11-19-2007, 10:49 PM

I have been looking recently at purchasing a Mercedes to experiment/play around with running SVO. I found the following car:

http://sarasota.craigslist.org/car/462281597.html

I am pretty sure the guy will accept $1000. I contacted him and found out the following:

-AC Runs/Blows, but is hot. Obviously has the old R12 system, so I am not sure if a charge would fix this problem.
-Some rust on car;Around Trunk lid/front fenders
-White Exterior
-Interior is decent, as he said, with a small hole in backseat driver side
-The electrical problems he stated have been fixed. He said he was also able to fix a vacuum problem.

I live in Fort Myers, and will drive this Wednesday to check out the car. Since this is a good deal, I might end up purchasing the car, and driving it back home to Fort Myers. What is everyone's opinion on this purchase? Anything I should look out for when I check it out? Thanks again!

kerry · #2 11-19-2007, 10:51 PM

A picture is worth a thousand words.

RoysVeggy · #3 11-19-2007, 10:57 PM

Kerry, Very true. I wish the gentleman could have posted one, but he did sound older. Even the body is in good shape, and the paint is decent, would this be a good deal if the car ran strong?

kerry · #4 11-19-2007, 11:09 PM

$1000 for a good running diesel MB is a very reasonable price. I think that's a 115 model. I don't know much about them. You should get advice from someone familiar with the 115's. I don't think that model had the ACC servo which would be a good thing. Fixing the AC could be pricey. Vacuum problems are typical on these cars and just need a MityVac and some time to trace down. Look for good maintenance history records.

ljsense · #5 11-20-2007, 11:50 AM

I had a '76 240D. That was a 115. They're solid as can be. And if the 300 is the same, it won't have an auto climate control. Just simple switches.

I don't see how you could go wrong buying a running 115 that's in reasonable shape.

Just the standard thoughts: See how it starts when it's cold. And pull off the oil filler cap when it's running to see how much blow-by there is. (Some is typical and no cause for worry.)

Other than that, if you take it for a drive and it functions, I think you're pretty safe spending $1,000 on it.

One thing, if I recall correctly, my 240D had only 5 digits on the odometer, so you couldn't tell how many hundreds of thousands of miles were on it. Am I remembering correctly? Anyone?

tobybul · #6 11-20-2007, 12:36 PM

Quote:

1975 mercedes benz diesel for sale odo showing 95k miles runs very good ,has electrical problems some rust.....

not clear with this if odo is working or not. 300D should be a 5 cyl NA. They are good engines (115.114/617.910 I5). If mileage is really low there should be no blowby. My 80TD with 110k has no blowby.

Sounds like a good deal. Offer $800. There will be things you will need to do.
ac, suspension, locks.....

RoysVeggy · #7 11-20-2007, 02:38 PM

Thanks again for all of your responses! I am going tomorrow to look at the car, and if I like it, I will offer him $800. If anyone has anything else to add, please feel free because it will only help me. Thanks!

DieselAddict · #8 11-20-2007, 02:48 PM

Have you considered running biodiesel instead of VO? It's better for the engine, burns more cleanly and doesn't require any significant conversion.

RoysVeggy · #9 11-20-2007, 07:30 PM

DieselAddict, yes, I have considered making and running biodiesel. I possibly might do that as well, but running SVO is much easier for the time being. I know its a big argument, but imho, running SVO correctly with two tanks seem to be a pretty reliable system.

DieselAddict · #10 11-20-2007, 07:57 PM

I was thinking more along the lines of purchasing commercially-made biodiesel. Can't be any easier than that, unless you have no such facility near you. You didn't say where you're located.