New Benz owner...any advice? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

gittins · #1 07-30-2009, 02:10 AM

Hey everybody. Still new to peachparts...have a few questions that I was hoping some of you could help out on. I posted before about wether or not to buy a 420sel...I took the advice and didn't buy it. Soon after, I found out that a pretty good friend of mine was selling a 1982 300 turbo diesel in pretty good shape for 1400. Pretty much it only needs a little bit of cosmetic work... A piece of trim, a piece of woodgrain on the dash, a couple buttons which only need to be glued back on and not really much else. since I'm a relatively new driver and even newer to mercedes, I was hoping some of you mercedes-benz veterans could give a rookie a little advice on what to expect, any typical problems, or general advice to help me keep her going until I get older and good enough for a nicer one! Thanks in advance and have a good day.

#2 07-30-2009, 08:57 AM

Hello and welcome, did you already buy it? I would in the future always recommend and independent inspection....always. First things you will want to do valve adjustment and diesel purge (instructions can be found at dieselgiant.com, Great website). A full fluid flush and refill (including brake, trans and filter, and radiator flush). Common things to fail will be primer pump and monovalve and voltage regulator (pretty cheap and I always have at least 2 on hand at all times) Always have spare fuel filters as well (again very cheap and great peice of mind) Any parts you may need just click the link to buy parts from peachparts.com (Phil will always do right by you). And never be afraid to ask questions......GOOD LUCK.....

P.S. Becareful these cars are worse than potato chips!!!

Avarec · #3 07-30-2009, 03:23 PM

id say w123 diesel is one solid horse
you might not pull any hot babes with it but it does ride like charm

gittins · #4 07-30-2009, 04:20 PM

thanks for the advice-ill get that all checked out. no, i havent already bought it though. i had been looking for older mercedes because i had heard good things about them and found some good deals. i had looked at a w126 1988 420 sel, but the advice id been given said to not go for it. one of my friends that ive known for at least 5 years had been selling a 1982 300sd, and he gave me a call. everything seems alright on it, its inspected and everything. i got to take it for a drive today and it was amazing. very smooth ride...i felt like i was going so slow but really i wasnt. we talked about it, and he said that it needs a slight alignment, and new tires. my friend and his dad were going to do some work on the car tonight just to fix it up before i buy it-fixing a door handle, cleaning it up a little, that sort of thing. its a nice little car for a good deal-and hes not the kind of guy that would rip me off. im really just looking for a car to get me through the rest of high school (one more year) before i can afford to upgrade to a nicer car. and to the last reply...hopefully my girlfriend and her friends will go for it...it is a mercedes after all!
thanks again!

kerry · #5 07-30-2009, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gittins

before i can afford to upgrade to a nicer car. !

Not possible. Newer, more expensive perhaps, but not nicer.

toomany MBZ · #6 07-30-2009, 05:01 PM

Sounds like you've got a pretty good deal, enjoy.

Jeremy5848 · #7 07-30-2009, 06:23 PM

The 82-85 123 is about as bulletproof a car as has ever been made. This does not mean that you can ignore maintenance. It means that the car is less likely to break than others, especially if you keep up on your PM, and if it does break, it can be fixed. Simple example: if a window switch fails, you don't have to buy another (new or used), you can take the old one apart and fix it. Try that with today's cars!

Enjoy!

leathermang · #8 07-30-2009, 06:28 PM

Helpplease did a good job of starting the list..
I would add the 3rd member for changing the lube...
and be sure to find ALL the water drains and keep them clean... they are all over the place and are the main reason you see so many rusted out body panels on our old cars.... like behind the front and rear wheels...and the bottoms of the doors... check the one under the battery holder for sure... and stop any battery acid damage to the firewall behind the battery too...

Pavka007 · #9 07-30-2009, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerry

Not possible. Newer, more expensive perhaps, but not nicer.

I second that

Just be aware that owning a Mercedes is a certifiable disease

there is no cure about it. Once Mercedes always Mercedes.
Just look some of the guys here they own 4/5/6 at the same time.
I am just a baby...only 3

charmalu · #10 07-31-2009, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pavka007

I second that

Just be aware that owning a Mercedes is a certifiable disease

there is no cure about it. Once Mercedes always Mercedes.
Just look some of the guys here they own 4/5/6 at the same time.
I am just a baby...only 3

The other certifiable disease is when you discover "Junk Yards" and all those good parts, and MB`s some one threw away, and there isn`t anything wrong with it, no rust, no dents, and you know you casn`t save it from the crusher, All those sleepless nights, tossing and turning, and the night mares and......and....... OH NO, gotta go, PNP opens in 35 min and I`am going to be late.

Charlie

tbomachines · #11 07-31-2009, 10:32 AM

My 82 SD is the best car I've ever driven. Not the newest, not the fastest, but by terms of quality and workmanship it is hands down THE best car I've ever even worked on. And not to worry - all my female friends love the car, it has a lot of personality. although it has been labeled as "flambouyant" due to the overexaggerated windshield wipers. Just be on the lookout for rust, that will kill the deal - just about everything else is fair game. A/C costs a lot to repair but not if you can live without it

roundout · #12 08-01-2009, 09:47 AM

Get some tools, a maintenance manual and get ready to start learning.

High School chicks will be all over a MBZ that you work on yourself. I wish I had my 123 when I was in HS.

gittins · #13 08-02-2009, 09:55 PM

Update: I.bought the car. It's great so far! Slow accelleration but that's not a big deal. It definatley needs a little TLC-but I have a feeling this is going to be a good one. I got it yesterday and drove it around all day. Smoothest ride I've ever felt. The battery died on me today

but I can fix it. It's embarrasing to admit...but since I'm new to driving I'll ask it. I can't figure out a few of the buttons, maybe some of you mercedes masters can lend a hand. When I start the car there are 4 little lights that turn on-the battery light, the brake light, the squiggly line that says I can start the car, and a fourth one that looks like an O. Neither my dad or I can figure it out...what is it?(the light that looks like an O) Also, how do I get the light by the speedometer/odometer/gas meter to turn on? My friend said to turn the white knob by the steering wheel...but nothing happened. Is the light just burnt out?
Thanks everyone for the help!

RML · #14 08-02-2009, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gittins

Update: I.bought the car. It's great so far! Slow accelleration but that's not a big deal. It definatley needs a little TLC-but I have a feeling this is going to be a good one. I got it yesterday and drove it around all day. Smoothest ride I've ever felt. The battery died on me today

but I can fix it. It's embarrasing to admit...but since I'm new to driving I'll ask it. I can't figure out a few of the buttons, maybe some of you mercedes masters can lend a hand. When I start the car there are 4 little lights that turn on-the battery light, the brake light, the squiggly line that says I can start the car, and a fourth one that looks like an O. Neither my dad or I can figure it out...what is it?(the light that looks like an O) Also, how do I get the light by the speedometer/odometer/gas meter to turn on? My friend said to turn the white knob by the steering wheel...but nothing happened. Is the light just burnt out?
Thanks everyone for the help!

The yellow "O" light is the brake pad sensor light. There is a sensor that inserts into the brake pads, and when you wear them down to a point that that sensor touches the brake disc, aka brake rotor, the light will start to flash on. Regarding the lights for the instrument panel, do not expect the same level of brightness as you get in most other cars you are used to. There are I think two bulbs behind the instrument panel, maybe three, and the light is carried forward by two plastic lenses. I believe one of the black dials coming out of the instument panel is a rheostat that adjusts the brightness on the instrument panel from dimmest to dimmer to dim

. One or both of those bulbs may be out. To change them you pull the instrument panel out with a small hook from the side, or you can push it out from behind after taking the panel out that is above you knees. I prefer the pushing method. Do not put a higher wattage bulb in than it calls for or you will start to melt plastic. That goes for all lights around the car.

If you need a battery in a pinch, PM me. I have a spare one that I took out of my 84 and have it sitting around in my garage. Not sure why I saved it. It may not be ideal for winter but I think it is fine for three seasons.

toomany MBZ · #15 08-02-2009, 10:39 PM

^^Yes on the "O" dash light.
The same button you push in to reset the trip odometer is the dimmer light, spin it back and forth a few times, see if that helps. Otherwise, the rheostat may have failed, a common problem. You can solder a jumper wire to have them on full bright all the time.
Full bright may not be what you expect tho.