Hey everyone!

My name is Jameson. I'm a pure-bread northwest kid (from Washington), but I'm currently going to school at the lovely Iowa State University. Been working on cars since I was about 14, and I've gotten a lot of experience in the past 4 years.

I'm new to the Mercedes world. Everything that I've owned before this has been Ford or Volkswagen (on my 4th Ford truck, 1 of the past ones being diesel). I've always loved the look of the W123 mercedes, and I've always wanted a diesel version. I now have my chance since I'm selling my baja bug project.

I'd like some pointers on what kind of things I should be wary of when shopping around. Ideally I'd like to get a wagon, but I might settle for a nice sedan. From some brief reading I've learned that the central vacuum system tends to be problematic, and I'm wanting to know what else commonly causes issues, where I should look for rust, etc.


Thanks in advance!
Jameson

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My Rides:
1976 F250 - 300/NP435/NP205 - 4.10 gears front & rear - Factory highboy
1971 VW Baja Bug - 1600DP/3 rib bus trans SALE PENDING

I'm not a W123 guy, but someone who is will chime in pretty soon. In the meantime use the search function under the DD and Tech Help sections and it will bring you more info & opinions than you could ever read at one sitting. Good luck.

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'89 260e (212K Mi.), '92 400e (208K Mi.), '92 400e (not a misprint) (146K Mi.), '95 C220, '81 240D--Sold

W123 diesels come in four varieties.
First came the euro, with its manual everything. Very desirable, and with the wagon you could even get them in turbo.

Next came the 240D. It was the basic low buck MB. 4 cylinder, manual heat, most had ac, available in manual trans and automatic, manual windows and automatic, sunroof, no sunroof etc. Never came with a turbo.

The. There is the 300... It in America was exclusively automatic trans and windows and climate control with ac. Up to 81 in the wagons and 82 for the sedans, the cars were non turbo and had the vacuum controlled evil servo Chrysler auto temp system.
The turbo models are the better modern drivers.
Ask all the questions you like! We'll get them all, and help you weed out the deals from the disasters.

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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!

Rust

Rust

Rust

The Unofficial MB Diesel DIY Pages

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

^ Agreed.

The later cars, 82-85 are easier to work on, but be assured, you'll be working on it.

Perhaps not a candidate for a college student with limited access to tools/space to turn wrenches.

Keep us updated tho.

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83 SD

84 CD

That's what I was thinking...especially in Iowa in the winter. But then who am I to talk, my college cars were a Triumph Herald and a MGA...not the most reliable or practical cars in the world. Oh and that was in the Chicago area, too.

So what the heck, go for it. Whatever happens, you'll have stories to tell.

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Current Stable

• 380SL (diesel)
• Corvette C5
• Manx
• Baja Bug
• F350 Powerstroke
• Auburn Boattail Speedster replica

Find one in Cali on eBay. I just saw an 85 wagon with a blown auto go for $1000. That combined with the 79 240 I saw in the boneyard with a manual had me thinking. It was hard not to pull the trigger on that.

Another pre-purchase inspection guide, with pictures. Was written using an early car, so some items will be different if you go look at a 1980 and later W123, but the general reference will help.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mercedes+W123+Diesel+Pre-Purchase+Inspection/21003

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1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

That clears a lot of things up. All the cars I've been finding recently on CL have been all autos, which I thought was odd since I've seen manuals before. A manual wagon would be so awesome.

I don't mind working on stuff, and I have access to a small shop.

I'd like to avoid buying something from out of state because I can't go look at it and I can't afford to buy sight unseen. These cars are REALLY popular back in Washington since they convert to WVO really well.


Thanks again!
Jameson

__________________
My Rides:
1976 F250 - 300/NP435/NP205 - 4.10 gears front & rear - Factory highboy
1971 VW Baja Bug - 1600DP/3 rib bus trans SALE PENDING

Are there any visual cues (aside from climate control stuff) that would differentiate a European model from a US version?

__________________
My Rides:
1976 F250 - 300/NP435/NP205 - 4.10 gears front & rear - Factory highboy
1971 VW Baja Bug - 1600DP/3 rib bus trans SALE PENDING