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#1
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The 300D that I saved today
I have lived at my current residence for about 8 years. During all of that time there has been an '82 300D sitting in the drive next to me. I had tried to buy this car from the neighbor a few years back but he said he wanted $4,000 (so I passed).
The other day I saw a tow truck that said crusher on the side pull up so I ran out. He said the guy sold it to him for $400 and that it was really more of a hassle to him than it was worth. He let me take it for what he paid (or what he said he paid). Anyway I aired the tires up and towed it next door to my place. I swapped a battery out of my '83 and turned the key. It cranked for less than a second and fired up. If this is not a testament to the durability of these cars I do not know what is. I was fully prepared to be cranking for at least a min but didn't really think it would start. I'm not exactly sure how long it has been sitting but it was due for its last oil change 4/20/96. It is in OK shape. It has 162,000 on the odo. It was dirty as can be but a quick wash really made me feel better about the purchase. The interior is spottless. The under body and floorpans are perfect but it has a bit of rust in the usual spots on the body. I really just wanted to share this engineering marvel with the forum but I guess I would appreciate any advice for maintenance to preform on a car that has been sitting for so long. I will obviously change out all fluids, do a valve adjustment, new belts and put some fresh diesel in it. So far the only problem with it is that the electric windows do not want to operate. Thanks in Advance for any advice and happy driving, Alex
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'76 300D Euro Model 4sp Manual 108k '83 300D 4sp Manual Conversion |
#2
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Wow. Good save!!
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#3
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Way to say a good car...I have done this several times now. At least some parts can be salvaged for others if the entire thing cannot be. Then it can be crushed!
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1987 300TDT - 195,000 (Original #14 head) 1993 190E 2.3 - 105,000 1981 300D - 250,000 |
#4
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For that price, I'd be half-tempted to conduct an experiment. Do absolutely nothing to it and just start driving it. See how long it lasts.
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1977 300d 70k--sold 08 1985 300TD 185k+ 1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03 1985 409d 65k--sold 06 1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car 1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11 1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper 1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4 1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13 |
#5
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Would love to see some pictures.
This reminds me of a yellow W123 I have seen in a driveway for years. Today I stopped, got out, and looked at it. It is a 300CD. Both front and back left tires are flat and they look like they have been that way for a long time. Next time I need to knock on the door and see if anyone is home. I have often gone out of my way to pass by, hoping I would see someone outside. Never have. The car has not moved for a long time. I have always had a liking for yellow cars. Not small yellow cars but big classic yellow cars. I think it was inspired by the movie "The Yellow Rolls Royce" that I remember seeing when I was a kid. I'll have to get up my nerve and knock on the door. I suspect some old guy or woman will hobble over to the door and I'll have to shout so they can hear me. Maybe they will tell me to do them a favor and haul it away, especially when they see how well I take care of my car. Richard
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85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale** 84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds 00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold) 15 Subaru Outback 43K 11 Subaru Outback 67K 98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now. 30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60 |
#6
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Quote:
Did this neighbor ever use the car? Also do they still live there? (I would imagine that it's going to be kinda funny for them to watch you driving the car they didn't seem to care about)
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1982 300GD Carmine Red (DB3535) Cabriolet Parting Out 1990 300SEL Smoke Silver (Parting out) 1991 350SDL Blackberry Metallic (481) "The thing is Bob, its not that I'm lazy...its that I just don't care." |
#7
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The neighbor never drove it. It sat parked between a tree an his garage. There was a dirt covering over the fill valves on some of the tires.
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'76 300D Euro Model 4sp Manual 108k '83 300D 4sp Manual Conversion |
#8
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There are probably hundreds of things to check. Two things that come to mind are:
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85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale** 84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds 00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold) 15 Subaru Outback 43K 11 Subaru Outback 67K 98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now. 30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60 |
#9
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What a waste of a car to do something like that! Especially to an engine with 162k on it!
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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life- '15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800) '17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k) '09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k) '13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k) '01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km) '16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k) |
#10
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If it has been sitting there idle for that long, you should be able to go to Google Maps, type in the address and you will be able to see the car.
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85 300D 75K Anthracite Grey 0-60 in 13 seconds **For Sale** 84 300D 333K Black (The Velveteen Rabbit) 0-60 in 14 seconds 00 Toyota Sienna 208K (Sold) 15 Subaru Outback 43K 11 Subaru Outback 67K 98 Ford Taurus 100K (Gertie - Was Grandma's - drove it to church and shopping - really) Daughter's car now. 30 Model A Ford 2 Door Sedan (Sold) 0-60 in . . . Never reached 60 |
#11
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Change the filters and fluids and be on your way.
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'70 F100 shortbed '82 Diesel Westy '83 Euro 300TD Curtlo Viper Yeti ARC Surly long haul trucker |
#12
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Wow, nice timing. Always good to hear of a nice old car finding a good home instead of being smashed.
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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles 1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles 2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles 2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles 1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles 1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car) |
#13
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the window switches prob'ly need to be cleaned out. i'd want to get it up on a lift w/ a good tech to inspect everything mentioned and more.
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1984 300TD "MAX" 303K+ still going... fast '70 Chevelle 200k+ home built Shovelhead chopper |
#14
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Clean the fuel sender and fuel tank
If it has sat a long time you almost certainly will have to deal with a lot of microbial action (i.e. gunk) in the fuel system. When a car sits a long time the heating and cooling of the days/seasons causes condensation of water in the tank, and microbes blossom at the fuel/water interface. An amazing amount of sludge will develop. You'll probably need to pull the fuel sender to clean it, and also probably have the whole fuel tank cleaned. Neither of these jobs is exactly fun, but if you don't get a handle on it you'll find yourself stranded by the side of the road with a plugged fuel filter at some point (don't ask me how I know).
Kurt
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- '79 240D - engine swap complete! Engine broken in! 28-31 mpg! Lovin' the ride! - '86 190D (W201-126) - 2.5 NA engine, 5 speed, cloth interior, manual climate controls, 33-34 mpg (sold to forum member). |
#15
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Good work!!
Another 123 lives on
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Nick ***** 2002 Sprinter 2500 140" High Roof : |
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