Well, I'm going to look at another one and this one is also not in a place where I can arrange a pre-sale inspection.

82 300D non turbo 4 speed. Guy is selling it on CL for his father and claims:
No rust
No leaks
Interior good
he "thinks" all interior switches and lights work
trans/clutch very strong
no smoke
AC "needs freon". Yeah, they all "need freon".
wants 1000 bucks
white with tan interior, I imagine it's MB Tex
The seller says it's faster off the line than his father's 83 SD with automatic.

Plan on blow-by test, rust search, leak search, test drive. What would good operating temp be here in AZ when the air temp will be 90-100 F. ?
Any other comments on this model or tips on what to look for? It's about the first one I've seen that didn't look trashed that is priced reasonably.
thanks!

Somewhere between 80 C and 90 C should be normal, but a little higher isn't uncommon.

__________________
1982 240 D, 308,000 - 321,127 miles (sold)
1982 300 TD,166,500 - 226,000 miles
1998 E 320, 120,000 - 144,000 miles
2005 C 230 K, 26,000 - 77,000 miles (sold)

^ Yep, good luck, let us know what you decide.

__________________
83 SD

84 CD

82 is supposed to be turbo with auto no? How many miles?

Probably a Euro, in which case it's N/A and could be 4 spd more easily than a turbo version.

__________________
79 MB 280 SEL Euro 133k
77 MB 450SL 154k
05 Mustang GT Vert (3) 104k
12 TSX Wagon Tech (66k) (192k)
06 Subaru Outback base (135k) 164k
16 Acura MDX (109k) 111k
18 Silverado 2500 LTZ Midnight (212) 56k
97 Ford Ranger 163k
11 RAV4 154k
01 Escape 173k
04 Honda Pilot 292k
1967 Mustang (Resto Project)
1968 Mustang (Parts Bin)
00 Ford Ranger 124k

Actually look under the chassie for rust. My Rear Trailing Arms have rust pin holes in them as well as other rusted areas. While you are down there look at the Axle Boots.

__________________
84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

Can you tell a Euro by looking at it? What's N/A?

Here's the link: I hope nobody snags it before I can look at it...

http://phoenix.craigslist.org/evl/cto/1352584435.html

I've emailed asking the mileage but he hasn't replied yet.

Unless it's been 'federalized', it should have the small Euro bumpers. (Looked like it but the photos weren't that clear) Should also have manual heat-AC controls, a-la 240D, - a plus.

N.A. = normally aspirated = non-turbo. Mercedes only built the 300D turbo versions with automatics.

Also make sure idle oil-pressure on a fully warmed-up engine is well above 1 bar. I prefer to see minimum 1.5 bar or better. Oil pressure reading should quickly reach maximum while accelerating.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Have him shoot you the vin, that'll be the best thing to decide what it came with. Hubbies are a good sign, but boy do his pics suck. He could at least put a link to better ones.

Shame on you guys for using all these techie terms on me. First it's N/A, now it's "hubbies". WTF are hubbies, hubcaps??

Kidding of course. Thanks for all the help. I found this pic that purports to be an 82 euro:

http://media.photobucket.com/image/82%20300D%20euro/jonschwenn/Mercedes029.jpg

It looks like the bumpers are probably the same. I guess manual HVAC controls would be a giveaway too. I'm calling him tonight. He's a bit clueless though as the car is his dad's and not with him....

Well I just talked to the guy and as I thought didn't get much info. He says he remembers it has button switches and a temperature dial wheel thingy, which sounds like what I've seen on all the other (mostly non functional) climate control setups in the SD's I've looked at. Going down saturday to look if he still has it.
Keep up with the things to check advice. You guys are a huge help.

I've looked at a few since buying mine & finding out about them.

Quite a few clueless owners/sellers out there..

If it really is decent I would get there as soon as possible. Good or even decent examples do not sit around. Are hard to find unless you want to pay large dollars. You have to know when to move in life.

If it's good the first person that sees it will have it. On the otherhand it could be a pile of junk.

Forget the odometer reading. When a euro model is brought in to north america the speedometer usually had to be changed to miles per hour. I think most of them got a new speedometer with zero miles. Otherwise just too many euro cars around with unusually low indicated miles for their age.

The holiday weekend may be slowing things down for the guy. He just told me I was the only call he's had, talk about showing your hand! I can't get there till saturday morning so if I lose it I lose it. I'll admit to being pretty excited. I've looked at a number of SD's but only one D and I frankly like the size, design and simplicity of the D better. Around here there seem to be more SD's for sale.