Yes it is going to need _all_ of the front end suspension parts replaced and if you're lucky enough to buy a W124 it will need the rear as well.

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'82 300D - Light Ivory, 2nd Owner (Back in the wind April 2013!)

'95 E300D - White, grey interior. (Suffering from stuck/broken glow plugs)

Deuteronomy 22:4-
"Thou shalt not see thy brother's ass or his ox fall down by the way, and hide thyself from them: thou shalt surely help him to lift them up again."

This is true; most things that haven't already been replaced will need to be at some point--especially true for rubber parts. It is interesting to see how many people get an older Mercedes because it was cheap and then say how "it has been nothing but trouble" because they expect everything to still be in working order. My 1980 W116 300SD with 314,000 miles has so far had to have at least the following replaced or rebuilt: transmission, brakes, steering box and pump, and all door components. Almost every original rubber part has failed.

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Stop paying for animal enslavement, cruelty, and slaughter. Save your health and the planet. Go vegan! I did 18 years ago. https://challenge22.com/

DON'T MESS WITH MY MERCEDES!


1967 W110 Universal Wagon, Euro, Turbo Diesel, Tail Fins, 4 Speed Manual Column Shift, A/C
1980 W116 300SD Turbo Diesel, DB479 Walnut Brown, Sunroof, Highly Optioned, 350,000+ Miles

LOL too true. I know a guy with a 1999 Honda Accord. Last year he had to do some minor transmission work in the spring, then brakes and an alternator in the fall. Other than that he has just driven the thing for years with no issues.

He was furious in the fall when he had to do the brakes and alternator. He called me asking me if I wanted to take it off his hands for two grand.

"Damn car is giving me trouble!"

What riot. I told him to hold his water for a week while I thought about it. Of course he saw some sense and dropped the whole idea of letting it go.

Imagine! Brakes and alternator on a 14-year old car.

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Mac
2002 e320 4matic estate│1985 300d│1980 300td
Previous: 1979 & 1982 & 1983 300sd │ 1982 240d

“Let's take a drive into the middle of nowhere with a packet of Marlboro lights and talk about our lives.” ― Joseph Heller, Catch-22

Our '96 came with that same quarter-million miles, even though it was only 11+ years old in 2007. It was also not "cheap," in part because the three POs had kept up with (most of) the maintenance. I got to replace the shocks (still the original Boges and still good! I replaced them anyway) and the engine mounts (squashed flat). The rest of the rubber and suspension bits were still good or had already been replaced. Perhaps the relative youthfulness of the car helped -- time ages all things but especially rubber and plastic. Now at almost 290,000 miles the car is still in great shape because the 4th owner (me) takes good care of it.

Many people seem to think that cars that originally were expensive will never need any maintenance. Those that buy them used also often have the attitude that "It's an old car so I don't want to spend any money on it." They then proceed to drive the car into the ground, more's the pity.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

I think a lot of people believe what is said on E-bay and CL that these cars are bullet proof, million mile vehicles, low maintenance etc......

They buy one and then find out it needs a ton of work because the PO or PO`s, let things ride and neglected to take care of things as they needed attention. they then cry that the car is a POS and not what they read. they then decide to part it out, or just beat it to death and then junk it.

I believe people look at the price that they paid for the car, then base what they will put into it dollar wise after that.

It can be overwelming when the bullet proof dream needs everything from the front bumper to the rear one replaced. the majority of things can be done DIY and the help of the forum. Brakes and suspention I believe are the 2 most important systems to have in good shape.
then take it from there.

Rust can be the biggest deal breaker depending where the car spent it`s life.

It would be very easy to dump $5K to $10K into an old MB. then it all depends on the level of perfection each owner wants his car to be.


Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

It's all fine by me if they think that way. Cheaper parts cars for me!

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1978 Mercedes 240D
1981 Mercedes 240D
1982 Mercedes 240D

lemme know how many parts cars you want...

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

"You just bought a 20+ year old car with a quarter of a million miles on it" (actually 330,000).
I would not have it any other way. For years I had car payments, high insurance costs, and expensive maintenance costs. The newest car I have now is 28 years old, and I am very happy with it. The cars are paid for, insurance is about a dollar a day for each car, maintenance costs are very low (Thanks to Pelican Parts low prices). I know some people do not like it, but I actually enjoy working on these old cars. The Diesel engine (OM617) is very simple, and probably the most robust, longest lasting internal combustion engine ever designed. Of all the 1980's vintage cars I see on the roads today, a vast majority are Mercedes Benz. Yes you will see an occasional Honda or Toyota, or a restored old muscle car from one of the "Big Three", but when it comes to high mileage old cars on the road, MB has the most. I don't know of any other car company that offers a high mileage badge and certificate for their vehicles. That is a testament to the commitment to quality that Mercedes Benz has made, and continues to make.

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

Amen!

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2012 B Class

1981 300D - Now with greazzer

All cars require effort to keep them on the road.

Some cars only need money in the form of a car payment. My MB requires time. Most people dont get this: money is no substitute for time; meaning you cant pay to keep a 30 year old car running, you have to do it yourself. If you cant afford to do that- get a disposable car.

Great thread for newbies!

more class than a Korean car

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

my exact words for anyone who wants to buy a "CHEAP OLD CAR"

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2012 BMW X5 (Beef + Granite suspension model)

1995 E300D - The original humming machine (consumed by Flood 2017)
2000 E320 - The evolution (consumed by flood 2017)

volvo. the 240 with redblock gas 4banger is like the gasoline world's version of the 300d with om617.

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1982 300sd from craigslist $800 greased on one tank with NO CONVERSION in the Hot Texas Sun. (currently dead & awaiting engine damage investigation and/or longblock swap)
new daily: '03 vw 5speed jetta tdi wagon. bagged&chipped

I completely agree with this thread. I bought my 87 300d with 250,000 miles because it was cheap, and although it was built well I knew I would need to sink some money into it. I have no regrets though, because I enjoy driving this car more than any other vehicle I have owned!

I've done it. And it's going to be more once I get it painted and rebuild the front brakes and the driver's seat.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.