Ok so there are 2 cars i have in mind, one is a 1980 240D with a 4 speed manual for 800 dollars, but I'm sure I could talk the guy down, the problem with this one is that it has a rod knock. The other is a 1983 300DT automatic for 500 dollars, the problem with this one that it smokes like crazy. I think that means a ring job? But im no totaly sure. They are bolth in good condition other than that, but this is my first car, and my first mercades so what should I do?

Keep looking.......

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

X 2
The low purchase price will disappear with repair costs, so spend a bit more to find one without those issues.
BTW, how on earth did you find a 300D with a "T" after the D???? Very rare!

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

Holy cow, Jimmy, what are those things in your hands? They look like the new generation 'marital aids'! Which reminds me of a joke about a guy in Atlanta... never mind.

I agree with the others, Dave. I bought my daughter an 82 240D that ran like a top and only cost $800. But I ended up getting nickel and dimed by so many other things that I was mad at myself for getting it in the first place. You'll have plenty of opportunities to work on whatever you buy. Tinkering is fun. Major problems aren't worth a good deal. Sounds like you'd need another car to drive while you worked on either of those.

That said, I only paid a grand for the wife's car, and it's in great shape! (But I still have to work on it).

__________________
"Knowing is not enough, we must apply.
Willing is not enough, we must do." Goethe

***********************************


1951 Chevy 3100

2003 Indian Chief Roadmaster

1983 GMC 1 ton Dually

1982 Chevy 1 ton Dually, service body (sold)

'90 GMC Suburban 6.2 "SS Veg-Burban"
(single tank WVO\diesel conversion) SOLD

'81 300D ~ Mama's car...my job (now my car)(but still my job) SOLD

'83 300sd ~ rescue car SOLD

2005 Ford Taurus (Mama's new car)(NOT my job!)

Rod knock is a definite deal breaker.
Smoking could be minor to serious. Do you know any of the repair history?

__________________
Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=296386

you should post your location.........I know where several are here in Memphis.

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daw_two
Germantown, TN

Links:
Sold last car --- 05/2012 1984 300D Light Ivory, Red interior
No longer selling Cluster Needles Paint
No longer selling New Old Stock (NOS) parts

Past:
3/2008 1986 300SDL "Coda"
04/2010 1965 190D(c) "Ben"
& many more

You should buy this car Dave, even if you have to fly in and drive it home. That is a good car for you!

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=2058621&posted=1#post2058621

__________________
Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

That does look like a sweet deal. The bike rack alone is a couple hundred bucks (if it comes with it).

__________________
Brad
1981 300TD - daily driver
1963 Chevy II
2001 F-250 7.3 Power Stroke