Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 10-23-2008, 02:02 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5
Requesting some advice...may look at a vehicle today

Hi everyone,

First post here. I am new to the world of diesel Meceredes, but excited about getting one.

I may go look at a vehicle today. It's a 1981 300D (non turbo), 182K miles, owner has records that among other things show a transmission rebuild and AC service (works). Asking price is $3000.

I am most concerned with reliability. Is the 300 non-turbo any less reliable or more maintenance intensive than the 300 turbo or 240? I've heard some say the 300 non-turbo is not as reliable.

Also, is power on the 300 non-turbo a big issue?

And lastly, being in California how much of a concern is a trap oxidizer (I don't know if this one has it).

Here are photos of the vehicle described above. I welcome any thoughts, advice, and answers to my general engine questions.

Thanks


.

Attached Thumbnails
Requesting some advice...may look at a vehicle today-dsc00120.jpg   Requesting some advice...may look at a vehicle today-dsc00121.jpg   Requesting some advice...may look at a vehicle today-dsc00122.jpg   Requesting some advice...may look at a vehicle today-dsc00124.jpg   Requesting some advice...may look at a vehicle today-dsc00125.jpg  

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 10-23-2008, 02:05 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Posts: 5
Last photo
Attached Thumbnails
Requesting some advice...may look at a vehicle today-dsc00126.jpg  
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10-23-2008, 02:08 PM
Chadahar's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Golden Valley, AZ
Posts: 887
Doesn't the 300 and the 300 SD use the same engine, only one is turbo and the other isn't. I think the reliability issues are in the 300 Rod Benders and not the one you are looking at.
__________________
1986 Euro 500SEC "RUF" 9:1CR, "Rose"
1985 Euro 500SEC Cabriolet AMG Widebody
1982 Euro 500SEL "Blue"
2001 Texas Heeler (Aussie/Queensland X) "Sulphie",
2012 Queensland Red Heeler "Squeak"
Best dogs I've ever had.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 10-23-2008, 02:10 PM
awsrock's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Tinley Park, IL
Posts: 642
I'm no w123 guy, but it looks nice, and in Cali with those miles for that price, it sounds like a reasonable deal.
I would think that if it didn't have a turbo it would at least be as reliable, if not more...at the very least, there would be less to worry about under the hood!
__________________
Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 10-23-2008, 03:23 PM
tobybul's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: West Michigan
Posts: 2,077
Having had both, to some extent I prefer the non-turbo. Or at least my 1980 300TD had a lot of pep. In addition, you have one less part to deal with (the turbo). I would say their reliability is the same. Maybe even better for the NA. Check for blowby, vacuum system all working (central lock works), condition of axle boots and flex disk, tranny shift, ball joint and tie rod end condition.
__________________
the sooner you start... the sooner you'll get done If it ain't broke, don't fix it.. Its always simpler to tell the truth...
2007 Honda Accord EX
2007 Honda Accord SE V6
96 C220
97 Explorer - Found Another Home
2000 Honda Accord V6 - Found Another Home
85 300D - Found Another Home
84 300D - Found Another Home
80 300TD - Found Another Home
Previous cars:
96 Caravan
87 Camry
84 Cressida
82 Vanagon
80 Fiesta
78 Nova
Ford Cortina
Opel Kadet
68 Kombi
Contessa
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 10-23-2008, 03:38 PM
Jeremy5848's Avatar
Registered Biodiesel User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sonoma Wine Country
Posts: 8,402
Reliability is about the same, NA is simpler so less to break but turbo is not usually a problem. NA engine makes about 85 HP, turbo has about 125. Fuel economy similar. Only 1985 has trap cat in California cars. 300D and 300SD have same engine for same model year.
__________________

"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 10-23-2008, 03:44 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 225
I have owned a non turbo and a turbo

I owned a 240 non turbo manual and satisfied with it and its fuel economy. I owned a 77 non turbo which is the same engine that you are looking at in the one you want to buy. it only got 20 to 22 miles to the gallon highway and very little power. If you are going to spend 3000 on a car that has almost 200,000 on it...i would say have the turbo. And no there is a differenc between the turbo and non turbo as far as the engine goes. The cam is different and is marked at the end of the cam on the fire wall side by a number to indicate what type of cam it is. I believe for the non turbo is a 08 and the turbo cam is a 05. I am not quite sure about the numbers but the cam is different for a turbo vs. non turbo.
__________________
68 250s SOLD
78 300d non turbo SOLD
1980 240d manual SOLD
1981 300SD 360,000 miles I think she's doomed for a parts car but has a good engine SOLD the engine to spamman
1977 300d non turbo SOLD
1985 300SD california car
1978 240D Manual
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 10-23-2008, 03:51 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 18,350
Depending on where in California you live, you need to consider the fact that there is a significant difference in power between a turbo and non-turbo at altitude. Reliability is a non-issue.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 10-23-2008, 04:11 PM
Actros617's Avatar
Ich fahre dieseltypen
 
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 1,141
We have owened quite a few 300D NA and Turbo, here is a break down
300D NA:
THE good: Idles smooth, More engine space to work in, smooth highway ride

The bad: 21 mpg, Rpm @ 70 MPH is @ 3500 RPM, Slow pick up.

300D Turbo :
The good: Fast, Better Fuel economy, Lower rpm @ 70 MPH 3000 rpm, AND an awsome turbo sound if is straight piped exhasut and intake changed into a K&N style intake (K&N filter not reccomended)

The Bad: Loud & A little rought Idle, turbo LAG, engine runs a little rough in high rpm (highway cruse)

So there it is...

IMO GO for a 300D or 300SDL with a OM603 engine is way smoother, runs better,very smooth, LOTS OF POWER!!!, and SUPERB MPG but be careful for these engine are prone to have CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD... Unless if head is greater than #14.
__________________
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
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 10-23-2008, 05:13 PM
Flounder's Avatar
Specializing in hack jobs
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 207
I really like my '81 non-turbo. I get about 24-25 MPG on the highway.

I think when buying your first MB diesel the biggest thing you have to allow for on these cars is the noise. It's not quiet like a GM car inside. If you're OK with that it's a wonderful car.
__________________
'81 300CD - 180K, cannot be killed by any conventional means
'99 Ford Escort - good MPG
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 10-23-2008, 05:21 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
Posts: 6,510
If the service records go way back and verify the claimed milage I would tend to buy it. The front seat condition does look like the car has under 250 k if taken care of.

Too many examples with this cars claimed milage have a worn out drivers seats and not many accessories are still working. .Take care of it and you should see your money back. If you are mechanically inclined a rear end change would drop revs on the highway. The revs on the highway do not hurt the engine though. Some people just like a slower turning engine at speed.

Great starter diesel. Really good true fairly low milage examples like this one may be pretty scarce in reality. This total milage accumulated is up to you to establish again as the majority of 123 diesels are not indicating their correct total milage.

Again if all features like air conditioning and cruise control etc are working someone has taken good care of it. Of course if turbo 300ds are available in your area in this condition for this kind of money you should grab one of them. The yellow spotlights on the front of the car are replacement units or the car was garaged a lot in it's lifetime. The yellow usually fades with the years in my experience especially with a car sitting outside all the time.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 10-23-2008, 05:30 PM
dagObx's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Outer Banks, NC
Posts: 382
Quote:
Originally Posted by Actros617 View Post
IMO GO for a 300D or 300SDL with a OM603 engine is way smoother, runs better,very smooth, LOTS OF POWER!!!, and SUPERB MPG but be careful for these engine are prone to have CRACKED CYLINDER HEAD... Unless if head is greater than #14.
Are you sure 123's have cylinder head problems? I thought it was only the 124 with the aluminum head. 123's have a cast iron head, right?
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 10-23-2008, 05:34 PM
BENZSTER's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Tennessee
Posts: 115
My opinion:

If the car has decent service/repair records, passes a pre-purchase inspection without any major problems and is not a victim of extensive rust or previous accidents then I say go for it.
__________________
BENZSTER

W123, '81 240D, Pastel Grey/Blue Tex
W126, '88 300 SEL, Artic White/Grey Leather
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 10-23-2008, 07:29 PM
bgkast's Avatar
Rollin' on 16s
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Vancouver WA
Posts: 6,528
Quote:
Originally Posted by Flounder View Post
It's not quiet like a GM car inside. If you're OK with that it's a wonderful car.
What kind of GMs are you talking about?! My 300SD is way quieter than any GM I've ever been in, but my 240D is LOUD (a combination of removing the sound-deadening material from the floors non-stock exhaust and the limited sound-deadening material that came on the 240D from the factory.
__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 10-23-2008, 07:30 PM
bgkast's Avatar
Rollin' on 16s
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Vancouver WA
Posts: 6,528
Quote:
Originally Posted by dagObx View Post
Are you sure 123's have cylinder head problems? I thought it was only the 124 with the aluminum head. 123's have a cast iron head, right?
All W123s have a 61x all cast iron engine. The 603 is the one with the head crack issue.

__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:04 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page