Looking at a '82 300SD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

bgkast · #1 07-20-2008, 09:59 PM

I'm going to go look at a 300SD this week. It belongs to an older lady. It was a daily driver, but died going down the road one day a few months ago. She had it towed home and it has been sitting ever since. It has oil and coolant in it, and from the description it does not sound like there are any rods through the side of the block. I'm thinking plugged filters or an air leak in the fuel system.

I am not familiar with the W126, any chassis specific things I should look out for? I think I can get it for $500.

79Mercy · #2 07-20-2008, 10:01 PM

500 bucks, its worth a parts car

pawoSD · #3 07-20-2008, 10:02 PM

For $500 you can't loose! Looks like a fairly nice car, even has a MB battery!

I love black W126's.....that's my ideal color for one.

Whiskeydan · #4 07-20-2008, 10:08 PM

I can't believe you'd take advantage of the little old lady. Now, where did you say it was???

What to look for??? Worn guide rod bushings and loose lower ball joints. Rust under the battery/front sway bar area. Worn out door checks and window guides. Otherwise, the same old stuff as your W123.

ImBroke · #5 07-21-2008, 07:26 AM

Rear trailing arms. Otherwise, same as above.

uvula · #6 07-21-2008, 08:21 AM

Don't let it get away! For $500 you can't go wrong. What's the mileage?

vstech · #7 07-21-2008, 08:50 AM

do the front seats look as good as the rears?
why are these always out west?

tyl604 · #8 07-21-2008, 09:04 AM

Do not let it get away. I was just quoted $180 each to have my bundts cleaned and repainted for an 1981 300SD. You have a steal.

bgkast · #9 07-21-2008, 10:59 AM

Mileage is a bit over 200K. I have not seen the front seats yet. I'll report back when I look at it tomorrow.

kerry · #10 07-21-2008, 12:10 PM

It probably all depends on where the oil and coolant are.

JimmyL · #11 07-21-2008, 12:20 PM

Pop off the oil filler cap and see if you can see if cam is broken, ie: chain breakage.

vwbuge · #12 07-21-2008, 01:10 PM

You'd be an idiot if you didn't jump on that one. For $500 even if the motor was spent you could spend some time and part it out and make some $$.

bgkast · #13 07-23-2008, 01:32 AM

I looked at the car today. The woman is the original owner, but I am dealing with a family friend who is helping her sell it. The car has a few oil leaks (turbo drain mainly) and a tear in the driver's seat (leather) but is in otherwise good shape. I was told that the woman knew it had an oil leak but would check it every time before driving it. Apparently she needed to drive in to town so she checked the oil, added some then started her trip. Along the way the car started to run "strangely" so she exited the freeway, parked it, and had it towed home.

I checked the oil and it was WAY over-filled. It was also quite clean which is highly suspect. I am wondering if the car was run low on oil, then she added (too much) oil after it was towed home. I looked at the cam lobes through the oil-fill hole and they looked perfect, with no gouges.

The battery was dead, so I dropped the one from my 240D in and to my surprise it started right up, despite one or more glow plugs being out. The oil pressure was fine so I drove it around the block and other than being a bit smoky and low on power (loose ALDA line) it drove fine.

Despite the suspect oil, I think it is worth $500. Does anybody have experience with cars that were run low on oil? Would the cam have noticeable damage if this were the case? It does not sound like it ever seized up.

Thanks.