|
|
|
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Ebay 300SD, working out the kinks.....
Hi Guys,
Two weeks ago I purchased a 1980 300SD on Ebay for $7,600.00. The car has 91,000 original and thoroughly documented miles. I was fortunate enough to have the car located only 30 miles from me, so a rust inspection was possible and this car has none. The car came with all of the original manuals, spare keys, tool kit, medical kit and the window sticker with an original sales price of $34k. All oil changes, since its birth, were documented, but the car had been driven only 1,000 miles in the last six years and that concerned me a bit. Here is a list of what the problems were and what was done. When I bough it the glowplug indicator light was flashing once per second upon turning the key. I tested the glow plugs and they were getting zero power from the relay. I whacked the relay HARD with a rubber mallet a few times which freed up the relay to send power to the plugs. The relay began sending steady power (no timing) until the car started so I new it was time for something with a working relay timer. And the sorting process begins: Used GP relay on Ebay: $80.00 Dragging front caliper(s) replacement: $325.00 Oil/Filter change: $30.00 New Bosch glow plugs: $80.00 Cool A/C restored to ice cold (for now): $305.00 Tail light seal to cure damp trunk: $75.00 Then, yesterday the car almost dies on the highway. The culprit. A heavily, and I mean heavily algae clogged primary filter. I just pulled it off tonight and it had at least 1mm of black algae encrusted on the entire body of the filter. The car was starving for fuel and began pulling air from the tube clamps on the filter. I could see the rush of foam in the clear tube heading for the secondary filter. I changed both filters (filled with Diesel Purge) and plan on doing it again once the StarTron does it's job. All fuel and vacuum lines are solid and from here on out I will change the air filter and other fluids as required. For now, I believe that I have one of the nicest, most fuel efficient 2 ton sedans available today. To boot, the vacuum locks work perfectly as does the HVAC servos. Everything is coming together and the car is running, riding and driving like new. I have owned a few 140's, a few 108's and a few of the newer stock. To me, nothing beats the ride, the build quality or panache of a 116 diesel. Yep, I have close to $9k in this car and I know a few on this board wouldn't pay more than $2500.00 for a 116sd. I spent a few years looking for a nice 116 with no rust, low mileage, a roof and just perfect leather. IMHO , I don't think there is currently or ever was a car as solid as these proven 116 bodies. Yes, a new 2008 Bentley Brooklands might have better build quality but I have better places to put the other $331k. I could not be happier and truly could NOT have done it without this board! Cheers and thanks, David |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Good luck, the W116 is a great car...planning on driving my '79 to a GTG tomorrow in Hartford area.
Out of curiousity, could you post a scan of the sticker from your '80. My '79 came with its sticker but it was only $27K and I am curious to see the differences between the years. If you can't scan it could you at least list the base price and the option prices?
__________________
Marty D. 2013 C300 4Matic 1984 BMW 733i 2013 Lincoln MKz |
#3
|
||||
|
||||
Heck, I want to see a picture of this cream puff! Sounds like a rare deal. And a super lucky car to find the right home too...
__________________
1983 300D-Turbo - Deep Blue w Palomino MB Tex (total loss in fire 1/5/09 RIP) 1995 E320 W124 Polar White/Grey Mushroom MB Tex 2005 F150 Supercrew - Arizona Beige - Lear topper 1985 Piaggio Vespa T5 - Black and Chrome www.cphilip.com |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Base Price: $30,632.00
Manganese Brown Metallic Paint: $728.00 Bamboo Leather Seats: $1013.00 Electric Sunroof $745.00 Mexico Cassette: $355.00 Distribution and Delivery: $70.00 Total: $33,543.00 Imported to Nelke Motors in Litchfield, CT David |
#5
|
||||
|
||||
Since you care dearly for your car, you should have the tank drained and cleaned and the lines flushed to be absolutely rid of algae. Chemical treatments are like brushing your teeth then swallowing instead of spitting
Sixto 87 300D |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
If StarTron does not do its job, I will have the tank removed cleaned and reinstalled. I have had good luck with StarTron encapsulating and burning off algae in my boats fuel, without it clogging filters. We shall see.
David |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Quote:
That was a period of pretty high inflation which resulted from the early 70's gas crisis as I recall...interesting historical perspective now that we are seeing history repeat itself. Thanks for posting.
__________________
Marty D. 2013 C300 4Matic 1984 BMW 733i 2013 Lincoln MKz |
#8
|
||||
|
||||
A little off topic but i want to point out something in that option list...Wow a Mexico Cassette cost $355.00, i bet that was some kick @$$ sound system back then, i am just saying $355 bucks back then is like what in todays money 1k or even more....
__________________
Current Garage 2008 Mercedes GL320 CDI 188k mi Repair/Work in progress 1994 S350 160k mi Garage Queen & prepping for repairs 2005 E320 CDI 203k mi Healthy & Daily Driver 1994 S350 357k mi Retried as parts car 1984 300TD 214k mi Blown OM617 Poss OM603 Swap?? Sold 1987 300SDL 200K+ 1994 S320 181K mi 2008 E320 Bluetec 127k mi 1999 S420 130K mi 1980 240D 360k mi 15+ Others that has come, stay and gone GONE, BUT NOT FORGOTTEN 1995 E320 SE 220k mi 1984 300SD 350k mi |
#9
|
||||
|
||||
am I the only one to think $325 is a bit pricey for a caliper? or even for all 4?
__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread "as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do! My drivers: 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5Turbo 1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!! 1987 300TD 1987 300TD 1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere! |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|