99 300D I am looking at..need advise

I am looking at buying a 99 300D with 300,000 miles on it. The owner replaced the trans in 2001 (not sure of mileage then). It has many new suspension and steering parts replaced and he says it runs strong and does not leak or burn oil. Supposed to be rust free. Interior in good shape.

Having never worked on or driven a newer diesel is there anything I need to look out for? I am only looking for something quieter on the highway with better mileage than my 83 300SD. Any advise will be appreciated. The asking price on it is $7500.

[BioDieseLandon]

i dont have much experience with those newer ones but all i know is that i want one. 178 horsepower, 36 mpg on the highway, and all the options you could ever dream of. that is a lot of miles but it is a good deal usually those are up around 18 Gs.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by Diesel Head

I am looking at buying a 99 300D with 300,000 miles on it. The owner replaced the trans in 2001 (not sure of mileage then). It has many new suspension and steering parts replaced and he says it runs strong and does not leak or burn oil. Supposed to be rust free. Interior in good shape.

Having never worked on or driven a newer diesel is there anything I need to look out for? I am only looking for something quieter on the highway with better mileage than my 83 300SD. Any advise will be appreciated. The asking price on it is $7500.

If you're buying it for "better mileage," forget about it. The '99 E300TD may get 2 mpg tops better on the highway, and only marginally quieter on the highway than the '83 300SD. How do I know? Because I drove an '83 300SD for 305K over-the-road, before buying a new '99 E300TD.

And, as far as would I buy that one with 300,000 thousand miles on it? Not a chance! I'd find one with much, much lower mileage on it. The money you think you are saving by buying this one, will be spent on upcoming major repairs, versus one with much less mileage on it's clock. Trust me, find a different one, there's plenty out there.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by BioDieseLandon

i dont have much experience with those newer ones but all i know is that i want one. 178 horsepower, 36 mpg on the highway,

Respectfully, I don't know where you came up with "36 mpg" on the highway," possibly the EPA window sticker when new? I own one and it never has gotten better than 32 mpg on the highway. If it ever did, it was a fluke.

The '83 300SD I drove for 16 years, got 30 mpg on the highway.....consistently. It was one he77 of a car, not to detract anything from the '99 E300TD, since I've owned both.

[H-townbenzoboy]

Originally Posted by Diesel Head

I am looking at buying a 99 300D with 300,000 miles on it. The owner replaced the trans in 2001 (not sure of mileage then). It has many new suspension and steering parts replaced and he says it runs strong and does not leak or burn oil. Supposed to be rust free. Interior in good shape.

Having never worked on or driven a newer diesel is there anything I need to look out for? I am only looking for something quieter on the highway with better mileage than my 83 300SD. Any advise will be appreciated. The asking price on it is $7500.

For terminology's sake, there was no 300D in 1999. You're hopefully referring to an E300.

[Hatterasguy]

To many miles, I wouldn't touch a 300k mile car unless it was dirt cheap. Find one with well under 150k miles.

Originally Posted by H-townbenzoboy

For terminology's sake, there was no 300D in 1999. You're hopefully referring to an E300.

Sorry...you are correct E300 is what I am looking at. I respect the opinions so far but I am really looking for someone with the knowledge to let me know common issues to look for with this year,make and model having high mileage as I am completely lost once I get out of the 80's benzes.

[leathermang]

I am your guy !!

First go to ALLDATA.com and read the Tech Service Bulletin titles...
of course look at the recall notices also..

Then if you are not scared off by that.... call the local LEMONBUSTER type service in your area... for something like $130 typically they will run professional checks on lots of important things ON THAT PARTICULAR CAR... as compared to the general stuff we might mention about that model...

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

To many miles, I wouldn't touch a 300k mile car unless it was dirt cheap. Find one with well under 150k miles.

......Agreed.......why not drive it yourself to 300K? That's what I do!

[KarTek]

Just off the top of my head:

I squeaked 31 MPG out of mine once.

It's quiet and smooth.

Really has a satisfying rush of power.

Inspect the front spring perches for rust damage.

Make sure it starts from cold without sputtering and knocking.

Check EVERY function of the climate control system - run the fan up and down manually.

Check the funky cup holder for proper operation...

If if has the CD changer, make sure it has a cartridge and check it's operation.

Make sure all 4 windows will auto close and auto open. Should just need a momentary press. I've seen a few cars that are out of sync and the owners don't know what to do with them but it's an easy, free fix.

That's all I can think of right now.

Also, check the classified section of this forum. Someone was selling one with less miles for about 9995 a couple weeks ago.

[McCool300TD]

Hi

I have 291k miles on my 1998 E300 Turbodiesel wagon. Service items only changed really. Engine, gearbox and diff all untouched. Burns no oil and doesnt leak any either. Lots of the suspension is still original. One of your biggest worries is rust if car has come from salted roads.

McCool300td

[TMAllison]

Mines never dripped a drop either. Used one qt of make up oil during my last 15,414mi oil change interval.

Owning both, there is worlds of difference driving a late 90's model versus early 80's diesels. My 99 consistiently gets 30-31mpg on my 110mi commute. Have never driven mine a complete tank on a highway trip but have no doubt that at 65mph it would get 35mpg's. I drive 70-80 most of the time.

At 300k, one would have to beleive you are on the downhill side of things. The 606 is not difficult to work on, you just need to trade the mitty vac in for a scanner.

With every used car, prior maint is key.

[Hatterasguy]

The dash boards crack look for that, check the front spring perch's as well. Also pull the door seals back and look for rust.

Check the mileage on the trans, your going to pay $3k to have it changed. If the owner hasn't been changing the fluid on it, and it has 200k miles on it, your rolling the dice.

Thats a lot of mileage the front end is probably lose and sloppy if a lot of parts havn't been replaced. It probably needs engine and trans mounts, shocks, etc.

I wouldn't be to worried about the motor, if they used synthetic oil like they were supposed to and changed it, the engine itself should be good for 500k miles. 606's last a long, long time when taken care of.

W210 is like any other Mercedes, simple to work on and pretty tough. Thats a lot of mileage for a car, and a lot of money. IMHO its worth half that, if you have to put a $3k transmission into it...

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

IMHO its worth half that, if you have to put a $3k transmission into it...

$3,000.00 tops.....but $2,500.00 is better.

[DinNC]

Way too much money for that miles. I had a 96 and did regularly get 36 mpg on highway trips though, no bull. Rust is a serious issue with those cars...look well! They run and drive great though, I sold mine with 220k on it, and it drove like new.