Hi all looking at buying a 1980 300SD its not a 123 its a 116 but still an inline 5 turbo. Are there any known issues with this model year? Thanks guys any help or input would be appreciated.

Do some google searches in this site. There is a lot of information about the 116 300SD (I counted over 250 threads) The engine is the same basic OM617 turbo as found in the later 300SD and the 300D turbos. I think it has different injectors and cam to make slightly less power than the later engines, but you don't have the emissions garbage to deal with.

You should also join the MBCA and go to your local chapter meetings. There are a lot of people who know your car out there.


GOod Luck!

__________________
"I have no convictions ... I blow with the wind, and the prevailing wind happens to be from Vichy"

Current
Monika '74 450 SL
BrownHilda '79 280SL
FoxyCleopatra '99 Chevy Suburban
Scarlett 2014 Jeep Cherokee
Krystal 2004 Volvo S60
Gone
'74 Jeep CJ5
'97 Jeep ZJ Laredo
Rudolf ‘86 300SDL
Bruno '81 300SD
Fritzi '84 BMW
'92 Subaru
'96 Impala SS
'71 Buick GS conv
'67 GTO conv
'63 Corvair conv
'57 Nomad

Look out for Rust...

__________________
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

I have a 1980 300SD I like the car. I use it for my weekend car.
I have only had it for about a year. I have not had any major problems.
A very nice highway car.

http://forum.w116.org/index.php?PHPSESSID=4b60d18833c82d4ca8e653e1fbdff65b
try this link for the 116

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1976 240D
1976 240D parts car
1970 220D daily driver

buy it. It's a mobster, previosly stated check for rust test drive and make sure electrical systems work. I love my 116. They are the first turbodiesel model from mb, and I believe the first publicly available turbodiesel. They were only made for two years in that chasis with 28,000 imports to the us per year it was made, they aren't seen as often as those dime- a- dozen 123's or 126's plus they are chromed out, loked out, and you can't hear any screams from the trunk... Jk

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'79 240D
'79 300SD

those that are missed:
'80 300TD bandit
'76 300D cleta jill

I have a 79 300SD 116 and I just love the extra smooth ride and tight steering. my favorite MB so far. BUY IT !

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Lower your carbon footprint. Burn Biodiesel, Buy Local,

1976 300D 115 high miles, broken odometer (sloooow)
1979 300SD 116 155,000 mi. (fast)

One drawback is that it has the ACC servo. This is a known common failure item which is pricey to replace so I would check to make sure it is working correctly. New servos run around $1600 (Performance), rebuilt around $800 and computerized replacements around $700.
I have a W116 300D and like it a lot. If they had made a W116 300TD I'd be inclined to think it would have been the best car MB produced.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

I've had a 1980 300SD for a couple of years now and I've been driving it 46 miles round trip to work for about 8 months now without any problems. It just literally purrs down the road and you will love the ride. You'll have "old car" problems but the body and chassis will fall apart around the engine because it will just run forever bud, nothing can kill it but poor maintanence or poor judgement.

I've had my 80 SD for a couple of years - its a tank! A smooth driving and riding tank I'll grant you - but the thing is heavy - so IF you are concerned about milage thing twice, my 116 get about 16 in town and about 22-24 on the hightway (probably not as good as the 123s). BUT you will be driving in style. I really like mine.