Finally! I have a diesel Mercedes!! 1987 300 SDL

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Hello Peaches,

I have been lurking on the diesel Forum for years gathering information and learning about Mercedes diesels. The right car at the right price finally came within reach so I bought it. Yesterday I picked up a 1987 300SDL from the original owner with 107,200 miles. The 200-mile drive home went smoothly.




I don't have any service records for the car except for the maintenance book showing oil changes to 85,000 miles at the dealership. The owner moved way out in the country and found a local mechanic to change the oil and service the car. The original owner passed away last year and his son did his best to recall what was done to the car. The son told me that the turbo charger was replaced and something in the exhaust system that had become stopped up with carbon.

The interior does not have any rips or tears, but it is dusty and dirty. The car spent the last 10 years on a horse ranch in Texas. Interior should clean up nicely.

The exterior has suffered the weather. The heat and sunshine has not been kind to this car. The hood does not shine and appears coated in tree-snot. The trunk lid shows spots of bare metal and failing clear coat. Should a 1987 even have clear-coat? The pin-stripe is crackled and feels rough to the touch, and it is baked on well enough that it will be a job to remove. The car is otherwise straight and has never been in an accident. With correct preparation and a quality respray the car would look good.

The car feels very solid mechanically. It starts right up. Air conditioning works perfectly. It shifts through the gears very smoothly. The acceleration is excellent; you can feel the power of the turbo charging at about 2,000 rpm. The ride is smooth. Steering is precise. The car makes a noticeable black smoke when you give it wide open throttle. My friend Don suggested that we check the plumbing for an air leak.

Without service records, I believe that I should start from scratch and inspect/service every thing. I will change the oil, transmission fluid, rear differential fluid, change all filters and flush the cooling system. Are there some known "trouble items" that I should address sooner rather than later?

Thank you for your wisdom, experience and opinions!

Jeffrey

[Skid Row Joe]

What $s did you have to give for the car?

[Stretch]

Black smoke eh - I'd use it for a bit to see if that sorts itself out. I'd start like you say with the fluid changes and a good look round. It looks like a nice solid find. Do you intend to just drive it or will you be sorting out the paint and trying to make it perfect?

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by JeffreyNMemphis

Hello Peaches,

Are there some known "trouble items" that I should address sooner rather than later?

Peach:

At that age/mileage, I can almost guarantee you that the lower ball joints and possibly shocks need replacement.

Flush the brake fluid thoroughly.

It would be interesting to see if a MB dealer has records on a car like that? Probably not very many things have been replaced with that low of mileage, I'd venture.

More pictures of the underside/engine compartment/dashboard-console/seats interior?

[DieselJoe]

You've got something of a find there. 107K, it isn't even broken in yet! Good start with the fluid changes. Get yorself a base from which to start record keeping. I don't know if your going to work on her yourself or not. If you aren't look for a good indy mechanic so the stealer doesn't get you.

Yes they did have clearcoat back then. A quality respray will set you back better than $3k. You can save money by doing the prep work yourself. But it's still expensive. But I think worth it if she's mechanically sound.

Look over the ball joints and watch out for major leaks. Hint; they all leak a little bit. Do a diesel purge and get all your filters changed. Other than that, sounds like a fine machine. What did you pay, if I may ask?

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by DieselJoe

Hint; they all leak a little bit.

My '83 300SD had 305K on it when I sold it - running perfectly, and NO leaks.

They only leak if you don't repair them.....

[JeffreyNMemphis]

I paid $3,500.00 for the car.

My cars don't leak either, they get repaired; the Porsche was leaking when I bought it; which prompted a complete rebuild. There may be a cost/benefit analysis for some people who can tolerate leaking; I just can't live with it. My obsessive/complusive nature goes bizerk.

I will give the lower ball joints immediate inspection. The car feels fantastic on the road. Perhaps the lower ball joints have been changed? It will be first on my list besides fluid change.

I will be doing my own work. I have experience working on vintage Mercedes gasoline powered models.

Currently, I have two Mercedes undergoing restoration. This car will get cleaned up and a thorough maintenance sweep as mentioned. "Make Pretty" projects will get underway after Goldie Locks and The Emerald Bullet are completed. I have a Volkswagen Golf that has air conditioning and great mileage to use as a daily driver.

[latitude500]

Congrates on your new 87 300sdl, I own the same car. Your going to love it. Power, room and style can't go wrong. Your on the right track about replacing the fluids. Don't forget about the cooling systems for this cars. You need to keep an eye on the temp gauge.

Good Luck

[Darthgrader]

Congratulations, Jeffrey, and welcome to the diesel brigade!

[babymog]

Replace the air filter, you might lose the black smoke.

Nice find, how's the leather?

[JeffreyNMemphis]

Leather is perfect. It does have the obligatory dash crack though...

[vstech]

x2 on the cooling system.
107K is awesome, but I'd do a full cooling system flush, and go over all the hoses with a microscope. verify the aux fans are working properly, and the thermostat is opening at setpoint. clean out the radiator and the condenser.
post some solid pics of the car once it's cleaned up!

[Miami300SDL]

Nice car. Did you have any problems with the A/C?

[Oldwolf]

Congrats and have fun with it.

[Beastie]

Wow, Sounds like a great find keep us updated. I have been wanting to get a decent SDL of the same vintage for the wife so I can keep her out of the 500E
and 85 300SD. The problem is I know if I find a nice one and put a little time into it I won't want her to drive that either. Hmmmmm maybe I get her a ricer ?