Purchase Advice on this 300SD w126 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

mechanicalman · #1 12-02-2009, 04:32 AM

So,

i saw this 1983 300SD on craigslist and am thinking about retiring my 240d to upgrade to w126 luxury. before i pulled the trigger, i wanted to consult with the brain trust here

The Good:
super low blow-by
all accessories work except the passenger side window regulator
AC is good and cold
high pressure oil hoses looked real good and clean
super quiet and minimal vibrations while running
all vacuum accessories worked
tires are all fairly new

The Bad:
It's a mechanic's car kept from an owner that couldn't pay a service bill, consequently there's no service records for the car in regards to the critical stuff (timing belt, ball joints, flex discs, etc.)
The body is not in the best shape with dings here, there and everywhere.
The paint is oxidizing.
While the seats are pretty and tear free, some other trim components of the interior are annoyingly frayed.
+226,000 miles
Owner is firm on the price.

What do you guys think?

toomany MBZ · #2 12-02-2009, 05:02 AM

You can check the timing chain easy enough, the engine seems sound so you can figure it's been taken care of.
I know locations will differ on prices, but you don't say how much the seller is asking, they should be able to let you know how much they've done to it.

mechanicalman · #3 12-02-2009, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by toomany MBZ

you don't say how much the seller is asking, they should be able to let you know how much they've done to it.

asking $1,990

sorry i forgot that. my mind must've been elsewhere

dannym · #4 12-02-2009, 07:27 AM

Sounds like a good deal to me, providing the dings aren't that bad. I would give it a good professional detail to get rid of the oxidation.
Also plan on replacing all the fluid. Transmission, brake, power steering, oil.
Checking chain stretch is easy enough.

I would go for it.

pawoSD · #5 12-02-2009, 10:44 AM

That is a very good deal, I'd snatch it up for $1990! Decent W126's are hard to find.

Phil · #6 12-02-2009, 10:47 AM

I have an 83 SD and its a great car. Is there a listing with pictures that we can look at? The price sounds good but it still depends on the condition.
Just looked on CL, is this the one
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/1490264917.html

charmalu · #7 12-02-2009, 12:02 PM

If that is the car, BUY it. looks good and the price isn`t all that bad.

as far as interior, start checking the PNP around here, there is an aundance of 126 since the Clunker have arrived. some with only 129,000 miles. great interior.

noticed the window switches look good, cracked dash can be replaced easily enough. this one looks like mine except for the interior color.

I saw this car a couple week back or more here on CL.

Charlie

mechanicalman · #8 12-02-2009, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Phil

I have an 83 SD and its a great car. Is there a listing with pictures that we can look at? The price sounds good but it still depends on the condition.
Just looked on CL, is this the one
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/cto/1490264917.html

that's the one. well i guess you guys told me what i needed to hear. i just have to wait to get my paycheck from the school district now. should have been here yesterday

.

MS Fowler · #9 12-02-2009, 04:21 PM

To make yourself feel at home in the W126, remove on injector line and the turbo. The acceleration should feel just about right.

cirrusman · #10 12-02-2009, 06:41 PM

Yeah man, go for it! looks great (at least outside, there are no engine pics) and you can't beat that price. I bought mine with a couple of electrical malfunctions, but this is such a great DIY car, everything is so accessible and easy to fix that it wasn't an issue. I got mine for $2000, and I'm happy as a baby boy with his brand new choo-choo toy

Small word of caution, a car this vintage tends to have vacuum hose leaks. My central locks don't work for this reason (I'll get around to fix 'em up eventually). Also, and I think for the same reason (someone correct me if I'm wrong) the car might not be the best pulling away. It's normal in these cars. Once the turbo kicks in around 2000 RPM the car wakes up and pulls really nice. I fixed this temporarily by turning my ALDA bolt 1/2 turn CCW, but I think the best solution is having all the vacuum system checked and all leaky or clogged parts replaced and the car up to original specs. Really quite comfortable car, feels at home at highway speeds and won't complain if you push it a bit over that. Great car.

-=DeanstuD=- · #11 12-02-2009, 07:13 PM

Heck, I think I would rather have that one than mine...

Fuzzball · #12 12-02-2009, 10:48 PM

My daughter would kill to have that...she want's one so bad. This is like a twin to mine, but a twin that wasn't beaten as a child.

mechanicalman · #13 12-03-2009, 02:42 AM

great...

just as i reach for the phone to call the owner on the first ad for the '83 300SD, i find this ad for an '84 that could potentially be even better.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/ctd/1492095188.html

that stuff about the bad glow plugs keeping the car from starting sounds like it might be bunk. sounds like he might've been running veggie oil through it and i'm suspicious he gummed up the IP or something to that effect.

contacted the guy earlier today, but i haven't heard back yet.

i know how to diagnose the glow-plug circuit operation with a multimeter, but what else should i be on the watch for if he's been running WVO in it?

GregoryV022 · #14 12-03-2009, 03:36 AM

"Runs great BUT NEEDS GLOW PLUGS (wont start)"

so it runs awesome, but it wont start,

i love craigslist ads

oh and ill take your 240D

mechanicalman · #15 12-03-2009, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GregoryV022

oh and ill take your 240D

whoa whoa whoa, just because i said i was thinking about moving "up" to a w126 doesn't mean i'm ready to cut ties with my 240D.

in all seriousness, i'll PM you know when i start taking offers for her