Re: 1985 300d purchase

[tripacer]

I am new to M.B.s and diesels, but I am looking to buy my first. Just like everyone else I have some questions, so here goes.... I am looking at one that has obviosly been repainted. It is a pretty good job but I am trying to determine the extent of repair. All the glass is "sekruit" except the windshield which is "sigla". Is sigla a replacement ? The headlights have been replaced with euro style glass. Are these less expensive than original round replacements, or is this a euro spec car? If so, what would the difference be, besides the headlight?

[Aaron]

Sekurit and Sigla are both OE Mercedes glass suppliers. The windshield was probably replaced because of a stone crack or, if you said the car has been repainted, it may have been in an accident. But either way, that glass is factory. As far as the headlights, the flat, European ones are VERY expensive and, in my opinion, provide better lighting at night than the US sealed-beam units do.

[Wasuchi]

Just remember those headlights are also expensive to replace if they get cracked. They work really well and I think they look better, but that's my opinion

[tripacer]

Thanks for the input. The sales lot was closed when I went by so I haven't heard it run. If I have a compression test done should the engine be cold, or operating temperature? What are the new pressure specs. along with low limits?

[Kyle Blackmore]

Hi Tripacer,my advice to you would be to get a AAA inspection on any vehicle that you are serious about.As a Newbie MB owner(1 1/2 years),I am still repairing items on my car that were noted on the inspection.The $100 spent on the inspection is well worth it .I think having the auto club do the inspection gives you an unbiased opinion,the only thing they didn't do was a compression check,but they cover everything else in depth.All the defects give you bargaining room,my car ,BTW was rated fair to poor,but that was 35,000 miles ago. Good luck and watch for rust.

As far as the paint, not necessarily a wreck. The quality of the clear that was used back then was much less that the new clears. I've had 83 and 85's and all needed new paint. The clear begins to break up, turn white and come off. Mostly on the hood, top and trunk (flat surfaces). Could be acid rain? Don't know. Worse when kept outside a lot.

If it's a good job, new paint is a plus. Look closely at the details around doors, windows etc. Look for overspray. Look for evidence of new fenders or new looking bolts under the hood. Pull the trunk carpet out and look for dents that may have been bondo'd. Pull the sunroof cover down and off and look for dents on the top as well. Also you can look for paint pen markings or numbers on parts such as steering components, etc. that would indicate used. Dead giveaway.

[Ducati]

There are acrylic headlight covers that fit late eighties/mid nineties Ford trucks that will fit a W123 Mercedes flat Euro style headlights. I have these Euro headlights on my 83' 300D and plan to buy these Ford headlight protectors to keep my nice but expensive Euro heradlights crack free.