There is an '80 300sd that I am looking at. They say it needs a transmission. While looking at the inspection records in the dash, I noticed that the first inspection was done overseas, therefore I think it is a Euro version. The big ugly USA bumper has a skinny small bumper over it on either side. The car has 145K on it but the engine has oil covered all over it. I'm not sure where it came from. I did not get a chance to talk to the owner.

The inside looked clean. No rust (that I could see). It had recently been painted. There was still masking tape covering the plates on the door jam. I think also the windshield is leaking. The paperwork in the glovebox was wet. It was last run about last year.

If it has oil, I will put a battery in it and try to turn the engine over. The intake has been taken off and is in the trunk. I can probably get the car for less than $500.

What should I look for?

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Michael,

The W116 S class Diesel was only sold as a US model. The first service was likely done in Germany if the car was an overseas delivery vehicle.

Sounds like it has seen better days. If the car has decent compression, you might have a reasonable chance at getting some use out of it. Leaking windshield gaskets lead to floor board rust problems. I would get a good look at the floor boards either on a lift and from the interior (take out the carpets and any covers under them, or view the bottom by crawling underneath. If you work real hard to get it running good and your feet go throught the floor you will have another significant chore ahead of getting it on the road. Good Luck, Jim

__________________
Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Yep. I've just researched and found out some of the same. Only made for the USA. Kind of impromptu I guess, they just tacked on our big bumpers.

I'll get a battery in it and check out all the electrical stuff.

My previous 300D had floor pans that rusted out, so I was planning to look under the mats.

If all looks OK and something comes up later that's big. I may just give it to charity and take the blue book write off. (Or part it out)

The reason she gave for it needing a transmission was that it was "sluggish".

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Here's a pic. He lowered the price to $400.

Attached Thumbnails

 

__________________
Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)