So... My beloved 82 300cd has been sitting since around September of 2012. No a garage, charger on battery, car is pristine, but started working on rear quarter window operation (both work but not well, fixed one to 100%)... Then life caught up with me (kids).

As we own between 6-8 cars, including another pristine 240D, this car has sat. But I want to get it running.

I have an Ez car lift. I need to do a front end rebuild (for good measure - car wears outer fronts in typical w123 manner, but I have refinished 15" bundts and new tires, doesn't it right). Also want to do rear brake lines and a few other things.

So, car has sat that long. What's my best bet for minimal damage when restarting? Should I turn the engine over by hand a few times first? Anything else?

I drove the car cross country when I bought it. I trusted the car implicitly when I parked it. Now I need to regain the trust. What's the best way to get it going again so I an use it on ~400mi road trips?

Thanks!!

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (116k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
2008 ML320 CDI (199k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (267k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K), 1985 300D (233K), 1993 300D 2.5T (338k), 1993 300SD (291k)