An opportunity has come up. While online looking at parts, I saw a 1979 300D. The car is on Ebay, but it turns out I know the seller. Went over to see and drive the car today. You can see photos at www.millermbz.com/diesel

The story: Original owner picked up the car from factory in Germany through dealer program. The guy was very anal and kept very thorough record for the past 22 years. There is a spreadsheet with all services and he has all the receipts. The engine finally went last year with approx 258,000 miles. The owner priced new/rebuilt engines and decided it wasn't worth putting 8-10 thousand into the car. The interior is immaculate, the body excellent with the exception of some rust repair behind the rear wheel wells.

My friend bought the car with the intention of fixing it up to last another 20 years and giving it to his wife. He purchased a factory rebuilt engine. Another friend and master mechanic installed the engine. Since the engine was new, they replaced all motor mounts, all hoses, motor shocks, etc. They installed new air conditioning system with r134. Car has new brakes. The only thing that doesn't work is the sunroof. It will open but not close. After car was running and ready, turns out his wife doesn't like diesels.


My wife wants my 86 300E, wants to dump her 97 Camry. This 79 300D would make a great daily driver for me. It has the original trans, but there is no flaring. Feels solid. I was told that 79 was the last year MB used the diesel trans in the cars. In 80 they went to same trans for both gas and diesel. Anyone know if this is true?

The engine has the factory 48,000 mile or 4 year warranty. The MB tex looks new. The car was obviously well maintained.

Are there any other issues I should look for in this year/model? With a completely new engine and ACC, it would seem that most issues are already resolved.

Thanks as always for input.
--Craig

If the engine went with "only" 258K the guy did something wrong along the way!

td - my thoughts exactly

__________________
Jim

Except for that issue, I say, depending on price, buy it and drive it for another decade.

JCD

Whatever the guy did wrong has ended with positive results for the next person, seeing how the car has the new factory rebuilt emngine. He probably didn't change it hot enough or often enough to paraphrase our friend Larry.

What I'm interested in are your thoughts in regard to pricing. Body and interior are excellent. Brand new motor with 48 month/ 48,000 mile factory warranty. Trans shifts smooth and cleanly. Any issues with this transmission, is it different from the '80 and up? If I buy it, it is for long-term. With these considerations I think it worth more than the average 79 300D. Is my logic faulty?

Thanks,
--Craig

Did you check out the suspension? It may be due for front end work/bushings/shocks/etc. if he hasn't done it already...That can get expensive.

Something to consider when making an offer.

Looks like a very nice example, though...With the new engine and apparently very good condition, I'd pay a little more than usual, but don't get carried away! There's other fish in the sea, if he wants too much for it.

Mike

__________________
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1979 300 SD
350,000 miles
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1982 300D-gone---sold to a buddy
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1985 300TD
270,000 miles
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1994 E320
not my favorite, but the wife wanted it

www.myspace.com/mikemover
www.myspace.com/openskystudio
www.myspace.com/speedxband
www.myspace.com/openskyseparators
www.myspace.com/doubledrivemusic

My '79 300D also came direkt aus Deutschland.

Hey, if it comes with the warning triangles, snap it up

joke aside, make sure the servo for Klima is good,
axle shafts, vacuum system and operations dependent on this.

How's the driver seat, firm? dash cracks?

My trans lasted up to 124K. ($1700) I'd like to blame my way former mechanic, but that is another story.

All in all I like my work car very much.
no sun roof.
very reliable albeit not as peppy as a turbo.
well, this car with say 130K miles on it should price for say $1500
if not a bit more.

A new engine and meticulous maintainance is a nice feature.

All the other stuff should not be a biggie.

face it, whatever you pay for it, youll end up sinking about $1K
in fixes , out of pride or necessity.

(my newer mechanic in Concord is reasonable. see that
section of the site.)

So what does your friend want for it??

$2200 ?? $3K? $3500?

if it works for you then take it.

if not , let me know!!I may buy it.
For sure.


Good Luck.

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD