76 diesel 300d PRO'S vs Con's?? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

newtodiesel · #1 02-17-2010, 09:01 PM

Thinking about buying a 76 300D diesel any imput as to pro's and con's of this vehicle and what to look for ??? Are the parts more expensive vs an 85? or harder to find?? Car looks good from picts.. what is a good reasonable price for a running one? Looks to be complete. and in good shape needs a battery
any input from you pro's would be appreciated

79Mercy · #2 02-17-2010, 09:07 PM

I love my 1976 300D. I paid 1000 for mine but it wasn't in the best of shape when i got it, but now it is a daily driver.

Parts are not hard to find, although some interior things you'll have to look for but usually you can find them. Pretty much everything mechanical is very easy to get, such as filters, brakes, engine parts........

The only down fall I guess is it being non-turbo, 0-60 in about 20seconds.

I average about 25-26MPG, on the highway.

newtodiesel · #3 02-17-2010, 09:20 PM

Asking price is $1500 is that a fair price for one running? Does not look to have a lot of rust, but cant see the back from the pictures and also looks like it still has the original radio.

79Mercy · #4 02-17-2010, 09:27 PM

I would consider 1500 a good price. I bought mine running, but it had a lot of little issues though. But now all of that is repaired, and I also have working AC.

The main reason I snatched mine up was because of the lack of rust. I have 1 small rust bubble on the left C-pillar. W115 are hard to find with little to no rust.

Post some pictures if you can.

79Mercy · #5 02-17-2010, 09:36 PM

im guessing this is the one.

If you get it maybe you can come down to our get together in Titusville, FL on 3/27/10.

http://jacksonville.craigslist.org/cto/1597701177.html

newtodiesel · #6 02-17-2010, 10:35 PM

Yep that is the one. I like the body style vs the 85 (all tho the 85 is nice too!) Mine runs but trying to get it road worthy, dont know if I would trust it on a long trip just yet... who knows maybe the other one is rough too never can tell from pictures...

79Mercy · #7 02-17-2010, 10:37 PM

yeah i love the W115 body style. Hopefully it will be ready in time for the get together. I also live in Jax.

newtodiesel · #8 02-17-2010, 10:41 PM

I am in riverside/avondale area, do you do all of your work? Or have you found a fantastic diesel mechanic??

79Mercy · #9 02-17-2010, 10:48 PM

I do everything myself.

newtodiesel · #10 02-17-2010, 10:59 PM

I was hoping you would be able to give me the name of a great mechanic for the hard stuff...It looks like I will just have to learn the hard way!

79Mercy · #11 02-17-2010, 11:05 PM

well there is

Patrick O'Neil over at Atlantic Imported auto. He used to work on my 280CE back when my grandparents owned it.

newtodiesel · #12 02-17-2010, 11:13 PM

Will have to check 'em out, he knows all about the vacuume stuff? Are they reasonable? I called around for prices for transmission fluid change (no filter) and they want an arm and a leg for just a fluid change! Time to learn how to do it myself!

79Mercy · #13 02-17-2010, 11:17 PM

Thats easy, change the filter too, no reason not to. Send me PM i'll help you out if you have any questions.

They're some what reasonable, I think he can handle vacuum things, thats simple.

newtodiesel · #14 02-17-2010, 11:31 PM

Thats what I figured, no reason not to change the filter at the same time since these transmissions are so finiky, gonna try again tomorrow on the brakes, then if I can get that figured out then I will try the transmission, right now I think the brakes are more important, there is just sooo much goo everywhere I dont know what to do first, cant tell where the leaks are coming from, what do you think about pressure washing inside the engine compartment? If I do, should I leave it running? Dont want to break anything.
The rotor I looked at today did not look like it was leaking anywhere, no signs of anything just the cacoons and webs, the brake lines were not leaking, no signs of leaks around the brake booster either

79Mercy · #15 02-17-2010, 11:40 PM

My motor looked like this when i first got my car:

I used Gunk engine degreaser and it now looks like this

Just cover the alternator, and cover the dipsticks for the engine and tranny. Do it with a cold motor.

Take off the vacuum hose going to the brake booster and feel for vacuum with the motor running. I bet there is little to no vacuum, if so its either a vacuum leak or a bad vacuum pump which can be rebuilt very cheaply.