Hey! Nice to find this website. I am interested in purchasing my Aunt's 1976 Mercedes 300D. It's got around 400K miles on it and looks great. Problem is....I'm not familiar with MB diesels. The car has always been in CA and was purchased as a company car originally, bought by my Aunt's father and finally by my Aunt. The car is full-on basic without any whistles and/or bells. I have been reading through the various websites and would really love to know what someone who has one or had one would look for. I will be taking the MB from San Diego to Phoenix. I'm giving up my ridiculous SUV I leased because I was stupid and I am very excited about this car. Could you please share your thoughts regarding any experiences you may have had with this model and year. I would greatly appreciate it.

The basic consensus is that the 300D is a rock solid car. If the car has been well maintained 400k should not be a problem. The main thing people complain about with these cars is the a/c(very expensive to fix) and the vacuum lines, they are cheap but annoying to troubleshoot. I don't personally own a 300D, and the info i am passing on to you is solely based on what i have read/understood here. I own a 83 300SD and find it extremely easy to work on, which is good because i have had to do alot of work to get it into the shape i want it in. Is it the original tranny? if so you may be looking at a new tranny here shortly. I'm sure someone else with your exact make and model will chime in shortly, but hopefully this will help in some way. Oh yea, don't expect a rocket by any means, these cars are slooooow!
Ryan

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83 300SD.......sold
96 integra SE....sold
99 a4 quattro....sold
2001 IS300.......sold
2002 330i.........current.
2004 highlander limited....current.

I also own a 300sd, but they are similar cars in many respects.

MB diesels, if they have been well cared for, are extremely durable engines. If it's in good shape now, then with proper maintenance you can get many, many more miles out of that car. Ryan is right, if the transmission is original and/or un-rebuilt, you may have some transmission work in your future, but if that is done properly, you should be able to get at least another couple hundred thousand, probably more, out of the tranny.

Climate controls are a notorious MB problem, so check that out thoroghly...I've seen climate control repair bills on old MBs that were more than the cost of the car!

You said it was a company car for a long time, so there should be some good maintenance records from that period...does your aunt have those? That would be a good sign. Regular oil/trans fluid/filter/coolant changes mean a LOT. Valves on diesels must be adjusted approx. every 15,000...should cost you less than $100 at a good repair shop, maybe more at the MB dealer. You also said it's a "no bells and whistles" car, which I assume means no power windows, sunroof, etc. All these gadgets are nice, but can nickle and dime you to death on an older car, so it can be a good thing not to have them.

Also check the steering and suspension components. If it has all the original bushings and rubber parts, etc., then it's probably LONG overdue for a suspension overhaul.

If it's been well cared for, I say go for it. You'll REALLY enjoy that car. They are a little slow off the line, but once the turbo kicks in they pull really hard, and are fun to drive. The handling is great, and they are very comfortable road-trip cars as well.

Hope this helps,
Mike

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1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
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1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
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1985 300TD
270,000 miles
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1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
www.myspace.com/openskystudio
www.myspace.com/speedxband
www.myspace.com/openskyseparators
www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic

Mike,

Caught ya. A 300D of that vintage would not have a turbo

Anyhow, as far as those W114/115 chassis cars go, I do agree that they are rock solid and completely useable as a daily driver. What I like about them better than the W123 is their more classic look, although I feel the W123 is more comfortable. I always thought the seats in the 114/115s were not contoured all that well. Pretty much everything about the mechanicals has been covered already, and I can't stress enough the importance of regular (read: 3,000 mile) oil changes, along with other fluids and yes, valve adjustments. The 300D of 1975 was the first MB diesel to have a key start system, which replaced the old glow knob type. It was also the first year for the 5 cyl engine. Watch out for rust in the rocker panels (I know, you're out west, but still...) and also in the tops of the front wings right behind the headlight buckets. Usually the weatherstripping will need to be replaced on a car so old, and if that is indeed the case with your own car, get four new door seals, a new trunk seal and new front and rear windscreen seals. An entire seal kit will cost about $500, but it's something of a necessity. If anything in the interior is gone or battered, your best bet is a breaker yard, as nothing is available from MB anymore, as far as colored trim goes. The seats may need to be rebuilt if they sag, and that consists of replacing the horse hair pad and the spring box. If it's a manual tranny, you're probably far better off than with an automatic. I always believed that MB diesels should ALL be manuals! Check for oil leaks and while the car is in the shop for service, just have them run a compression test while they've got it. Most all parts are readily available through your local MB dealer or through the aftermarket (interior bits being the exception), and costs are usually quite reasonable. I think this was also said here already, but these cars are slow, but once you're used to it, you'll have a blast driving the world's most reliable automobile!

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Regards,
Aaron

Oops...yeah, I forgot that they didn't have turbos yet in '76. So I guess it would be a bit of a crawler. In Atlanta traffic, I'm sure glad my '79 has one!!!

Mike

__________________
_____
1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
_____
1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
_____
1985 300TD
270,000 miles
_____
1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
www.myspace.com/openskystudio
www.myspace.com/speedxband
www.myspace.com/openskyseparators
www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic

My brother and I are restoring his 75 300D. Rusted something terrible from leaking window seals!

If there is no (or little) rust, the engine starts cold, the tranny works properly (starts in 2nd, only downshifts to first if you close the kickdown switch at low speeds), you are probably ready to go. I see a couple on the highway around here (southern Indiana) on a regular basis, and have found that there are more in "restoration" than I'd have thought -- ran into a couple guys at Autozone last week who both had one1

Not a drag racer by any means, only adequate acceleration if you don't floor it all the time, but get 30 mpg by an large, and have been known to run a million miles or so! Most common taxicab in the Middle East!

Fun to drive, too -- the 87 300D handles a little better, but somehow lacks the panache of the W115!

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

76 was first year of the w123's

you'll be happy to know that it has all the "modern" advancements that the SD's have, except for the turbo, that came in 82 (thank goodness I got that vintage)

I'd check all the bushings front to back, also look the weatherstripping over, that might need some care.

Ohh and driveshaft boots, don't forget about the driveshaft boots.


Upfront check for play in the tierods, speaking from experience, repairing the front end on the w123 is actually kinda fun (dropped the steering knuckle on my toe though, that hurt, a lot, my toe still sits kinda funny from that) all it is is taking apart one side, putting in the new parts and moving on to the other side. Take pictures of the wheel well with everything taken out, looks kinda funny

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2005 Audi A4 1.8T CVT -Silver/Black "Siegfried"

1982 300D - Silver/Blue "Ralph" -For Sale:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=852260

1989 VW Diesel Jetta Blue/Blue "Bodo" RIP

Yep, a '76 don't have a turbo and it's a 115 chassis. You will love this car. It don't launch off the line, but it's no slug either. Last night I had a punk kid in a Chevy Cavalier revving his engine at me at a red light in Hastings. When it turned green that is where I left him. I ran right up to 50mph and let off the pedal since that is the speed limit right there. He went flying past me at this point, brand new car with no license plate. It's amazing that a new car that is soo light with that much power under the hood can't keep up with an old 300D that outweighs it and has less power. Tom
( NOT SLOW Mercedes div.)

My 76 300d is a great car. This morning I am replacing the water pump. fairly easy to work on. I had to do some work on mine to get it looking and running good as the last owner was not diesel savy and drove it til it stopped and left it parked for four years. I have taken this car completely apart, painted it and put it back together.
It takes off from lights well and keeps up with traffic no problem. It has good high speed handling characteristics. The seats do not have the lumbar support so I bought one and placed it under the seat cover. Being an older car I can find emergency parts at Autozone, same day, water pump, alternator, regulator etc.. The dealer here does not stock older parts. This site and other internet sites have good selections and prices and can usually overnight parts for an extra cost.
I suggest monitoring the Diesel Discussion here and doing some searches on older posts to familiarize yourself with the diesel world. Tech Help and Vintage Mercedes will also provide good info.

Your car has a W115 body. Be sure to include that when requesting info or parts.

If you live near Tucson, there is a shop owned by George Fitzner, top notch mechanic.

I stand corrected

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2005 Audi A4 1.8T CVT -Silver/Black "Siegfried"

1982 300D - Silver/Blue "Ralph" -For Sale:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?p=852260

1989 VW Diesel Jetta Blue/Blue "Bodo" RIP

I almost bought a Haynes manual for 76-83 300D. It covered 123's only. I was confused. Thought my title was screwed up or something. As I was told the 123's were introduced in Switzerland that year, the rest of the world got 115's.

I did buy a Haynes like you mentioned. Then again I have a 123 too! My question is what did you do for a manual for the W115? Did you ever find a manual? I finally found one on ebay and am waiting patiently to get it in the mail. Unfortunately it is only an "engine" manual I believe. ( Don't remember which auction I won right now, it doesn't matter I wanted both anyways) Tom

This is unbelieveable! It's like PBS...all great information and it's free! I appreciate all the input regarding the 1976 MB 300D. I am going to buy it based on your recommendations and also thanks for the mechanic's name in Tucson. I am sitting here typing and am still overwhelmed by the fast and informative responses. Thanks again!

Fryerpwered,
I got the MB shop manuals for chassis and engine. Also the cd which has a total electrical diagram. I have found the 115 haynes manual on the net it is a bit rare but available.

Seawolf,
Free? Didn't you read the fine print? You are supposed to send us all cases of beer!..........Just kidding!