I recently just bought a 1979 300cd. It is my first MB. The car only has 90000 miles on it. It is in wonderful shape. The interior is in perfect shape and the owner just replaced the ac compressor, drier, and basically changed over to R134. He also did other minor things like changed the shifter bushing, replaced all three vbelts, and some vacuum lines, just to name a few. The total cost at the dealer was 3200.00. I paid only 5500.00 for the car. I noticed in his service records that he hadn't changed the timing belt yet. When should the timing belt be changed? Is it 100.000 miles? I will have more questions later? I am really happy to own a MB. Please help me get familiar with my new machine.

William - you will never have to change the timing belt on this car because it does not have one. It has a timing chain. I would recommend a good oil/filter change schedule and then check the chain stretch once it gets past around 160k miles. You can do a rough chain stretch check when you adjust the valves every 15k miles.

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Jim

Hey W.A. ......Welcome to the informal CD owners club! They are a real find! Sounds like you found a jewel. What color combo is it?

Any body else looking for one... Theres one in todays Modesto Bee (Calif) (modbee.com). Its a 85, I called (being nosey) it has 161k on it, its one owner, dark blue/beige, always garaged their # (209) 533 2712......good luck

Ernie

I heard that the 300CD has collectable value. Congratulations! Do what Jim was telling you and the engine should wear out first before the timing chain (617 engine only), possibly 500,000 miles or more.

Welcome to the forum.

David

How much to join the Informal CD Owners Club? Or is that included in the price of the car? I have a silver with black interior 300cd(1980). I just drove it from Tacoma Wa. to Sedona Az.! 30 hours! I drove about 10 hours a day pretty much non-stop(except that my wifes Pathfinder needed gas more than twice as much a I did). I'll tell more about my trip in another thread. andy