New Family Member: 1984 300D

[DieselClan]

Well, I've done it! I just couldn't help myself and purchased this car:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/358282-possible-84-300d-parts-car-middle-tn.html

And with me being a sucker for a good W123 I'm going to keep it and try to fix it up.

The guy I bought it from told me it bent a rod. However it still starts and drives, it's just a bit loud (can definitely hear something clanking around...)

Worst case scenario is I have to replace the motor which I've done to the high mileage '85 in my sig, it's just a hassle tracking down one and paying for all of it. But I hate to crush a car with good bones.

Interior was filthy and I vacuumed it out yesterday. I want to shampoo the carpets but one to get everything and was trying to remove the front seats this afternoon. What a pain I'm having- I'm a complete newbie as a DIY'er but I'm trying. I got the 2 front bolts out on driver's seat and the outer bolt on the rear but can't get the one near the console loose for the life of me. I think I even ruined the head of the bolt trying to loosen it (see pic below). I sprayed WD-40 on it to try and loosen it with no luck. Is there a trick to getting this last one loose? I also couldn't even loosen the front bolts on the passenger seat, didn't even try the rear ones...

Anyways, it's a nice looking car, has fairly new Kuhmo's on it which makes me happy as I won't have to buy tires. Only thing that pisses me off is the rust on the driver's side rear wheel well. I know the culprit too- NO antenna seal!!! Thing must've been off for a long time to make it rust out like that. But other than that there's no rust on the body I could see.

Sorry for the bad photos. Will try to get better ones when I can. Paint is faded so I'm going to wash it, clay bar it and use some Ultimate Compound wax on it to try and make it shine better. Will definitely get better before and after photos of this!