new to MB, looking to buy - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dave1shere · #1 10-13-2002, 09:18 PM

Hello,
I have been looking at a few MBs today. Saw a 82 300D, wow what rust, 81 with some rust, and another one (not sure of year, but could be around 85 in used car lot, but dealer was not there.
What caught my eye was say a little bit of flaked off paint on the trunk, but no rust and it APPEARED like the body was galvanized....could this be true on mid 85's and newer.

I have a 96 VW TDI Passat and the body is galvanized...didn't know what MB did to the bodies, although have seen many people speak about rust problems.

Also, what is the difference in the body chassis W123, etc. This one had square headlights.

Could someone explain body chassis styles W123 etc...

Thank You,

#2 10-13-2002, 10:33 PM

The car you were looking at would be a W126. The 300SD you were looking at were produced from 1981 to 1985, in 1986-1987 the lenthened the wheel based and labeled them 300SDL, they also gave them a new 6 cylinder diesel, instead of the 5 cylinder that previous models. In 1990-1991 they came back as the 350SDL and the 350SD, these are models that have had some engine problems.

The W116 was the previous platform for the 300SD, these were produced from 1978-1980. Many people say that these handle better than the W126 300SD.

A W123 is much smaller than the W126, and US spec models have "7 round headlights with either clear or amber fog lights. These were produced from 1977-1985. From 1983-1985 U.S. models of this car were turbo charged. I would recomend a W123 to anyone who is new to Mercedes and diesels. The reason is that they are much simpler and eaiser to work on, and end results is lower repair bills.

The W124 300D was produced in 1987, and some say that these are very fast, which uses a 6 Cylinder enigine. 1990-1993 there was also the 300D 2.5, which used a smaller 5 cylinder turbo diesel engine.

As for the rust issue, many cars aren't rusted out, but you need to be aware of it, and if rust is an issue, don't buy a rusted out car. I belive that the newer models have a galvanized body like your Passat.

To get alot more useful information try and get your hands on a copy of Illustrated Mercedes-Benz Buyers Guide, by Frank Barrett, ISBN 0-87938-902-8. Another good sourse you have found already, People here are friendly and are always glad to help you find out what you need to know.

dave1shere · #3 10-14-2002, 09:53 AM

Hello Eric and TXBill,

Good explainations. I have been doing a lot of searching on this forum and have learned a lot of what to look for in a older Mercedes.

I intially had to put some money in our 96 Passat when I first got it, but hopefully it seems to have calmed down now.

It does look a little bit like the cost of the older Benz is not the problem, it is maybe the amount you might have to put in them initially and the amount it would take to keep them running.

I remember one ad that stated the owner had a lot of paperwork for the next owner. I remember I had an 1987
Dodge Caravan bought new, loved it, but had also had a lot of paperwork - engine, AC and transmission rebuilds out the cazoo -$8,000 worth of maintenance even with a long time Dodge warranty. A lot of paperwork???? What does that really mean??,
Still the hunt continues. With the help of this forum and people like you, I can hopefully make a wiser decision.

Thanks so much...

Dave

diesel don · #4 10-14-2002, 10:54 AM

Two issues to add to your thinking:

1) RUST - I have found that you simply MUST purchase a car which didn't live in the snowbelt (salt). I have purchased three with my brain and one without a brain. The one I bought from a friend in MI is driving me crazy with rust.

2) REPAIR - This is an incredibly great way to beat the system (financially) if you are willing to do most of the work. Very cheap to own and operate a 123 unless you take it to a garage every time some noise bothers you or something breaks.
Lots of little things go wrong and they are simple and straightforward to fix if you get advice from this forum and have confidence.
If you are in the habit of taking your car to a garage and you don't want to soak alot of cash into repair, I'd not recommend an older MB.

Don

engatwork · #5 10-14-2002, 11:06 AM

I agree with Don. In nosing through the records on my "new" 240D I found one bill in there within the past six month for $750. I think the guy that I purchased it from got rid of it because he was terrified of having another repair bill like that. I would hate to think I was at the mercy of a repair facility to keep mine going. The guy I purchased it from needs to be driving a Honda or Toyota - something that does not take anything other than oil changes and brake jobs occasionally - then gets traded at 120k miles.

dieseldaddy · #6 10-14-2002, 11:59 AM

Check this out:

1982 240D

From one of our members in dire need to sell...TODAY!

#7 10-14-2002, 06:59 PM

I recall rummaging through the file of shop records on my 78 300D after purchasing it several years ago. There were almost $3000 worth of reciepts over a two year period. I could find nothing in there that was worth a real complaint. Almost all of them were to source a leaking vacuum line and replace.
Hard to believe anyone would have parted with their hard earned cash that way. Maybe we should get into the repair bizz. Maybe there is a lot of that money just laying around out there?
Nah.. didn't think so either.

diesel don · #8 10-14-2002, 10:02 PM

Old Deis:

We are in the repair business and we're pocketing $50-60 buck per hour every time we get our hands dirty

In addition, we're saving time on not driving the car to the shop, getting picked up, driving back and returning with it 1/2 fixed.

Don

dave1shere · #9 10-19-2002, 10:12 PM

This is posted on e-bay, the bids end in about 24 hours. I live in state, so could go see, if had too but TIME IS RUNNING OUT.

Need people in the know to tell me what they think about this car.

1982 300SD 99,000 miles

here is the link

Thanks, Dave

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1869121501&rd=1

#10 10-19-2002, 10:58 PM

Looks like the car came from Texas. It looks nice, and might be worth getting.

Ockman · #11 10-20-2002, 07:59 AM

Nice looking car. If it has maintenance records that go along with it, it is definitely worth looking into. Bids, up to now seem very reasonable.

#12 10-20-2002, 09:15 AM

Re: evolution of the turbo ont he 617 - the SD model only came with the turbo in every year since the 116 was introduced in 1978.

engatwork · #13 10-20-2002, 09:28 AM

This is not a bad looking one WITH records:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1870298238

dave1shere · #14 10-20-2002, 09:46 AM

I certainly appreciate everyones time and effort to answer my question. Definitely will look at selles ratings next time. Most the time I do but forgot this time.

Great to have help from people with SO MUCH knowledge.

Thanks Again,

Dave

dave1shere · #15 10-21-2002, 01:52 PM

How about this one

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=1869411195&rd=1

You all find things that I seem to miss.

Thanks for the help.