I was saving up for a 944 and came across a deal I couldn't refuse...A 1984 300D/Turbo. It's dark blue, camel interior and in great shape with 227K miles. I'm in law school, and the car used to belong to a former state Supreme Court judge, so it has a kind of provenance for me.

Anyway, its in great shape and everything works, has the sunroof and all that. I used to drive MGB-GTs and love British sportscars, but this is a whole different world. I feel like I'm driving a Bentley or something. Its way luxurious and has a lot of character. You guys know all this, so I'll get down to the questions I have:

1. This car has been pampered and I have all the maintenance records and so on. Winter is coming and it gets cold here. This is a second car. Should I "winterize " it in any way, I won't be driving it much, maybe 3K - 4K miles a year tops.

2. After reading the owners manual I was a little taken back by the cold starting instructions. Keep the key in position three until the motor runs normally? I did it today and it worked fine, but this is my first Diesel. I absolutely don't want to screw this car up. I can afford normal maintenance and the occasional part replacement scenario but I don't want to be needing things rebuilt and so on!

3. Any resources, like books on the motor other than a Haynes type manual, more like a cross between a history book and a coffee table book on the diesel motor in this thing you can clue me into? I hear this turbo diesel was like on of the best MB motors ever made, and can go for over 500K miles, etc.

Anyway, I am totally impressed with this car and love driving it, its very continental. I also got it for $1400 and its got nice new Michelins. I just want to learn more about proper driving and daily care so I'll stay mindful of its age and limitations. Also-how can I tel if the turbo still works?

Any help is appreciated. I'll be checking back. Great site.

Welcome!

1. Winterization. I don't winterize my car. It just keeps running great no matter what the weather is.

2. Starting procedure? I never heard of this.

3. I don't really have a suggestion right now. I only have Haynes manual for the car that's it. There are great books on MB's. However this site beats most of them.

I thought only I didn't drive my diesel much. Mine has 188600mi. on it and I am putting less than 5000 / yr.
I know 188600 is nothing.. people get scared but most of them now know how long MB's can last.

Regarding the Turbo. As long as you don't have to wait for some old diesel pickup to let you merge onto the freeway I would say it's working....

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Take it out on the freeway and drive it hard every now and then. That "only" 3-4k miles per year is hard on a car like this.

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Jim

For cold starting, you need to learn to work the glow-plug cycle. The glow plug light comes on when you turn the key, then goes off after a few seconds. However, the glow plugs themselves are still turned on, and will continue heating the cylinders, for up to a minute, until the glow-plug relay shuts them off. Unless the cylinders are warmed up by the glow-plugs, you'll have a very hard start in cold weather.

The secret is to let the glow plugs work. On cold days, I usually watch the glow plug light, and when it goes off, I count to 30 or so before turning the key to start. On really cold days. I'll turn the key to start the glow-cycle and then wait (maybe 45-60 seconds) until I hear the glow relay click off. Then I turn off the key and turn it back on to start the cycle again, waiting 30-45 seconds after the light goes out. On occasion, I've turned off the key and repeated the cycle a third time--but that's when it's really really cold.

Assuming your battery is good, the car should start well.

The other thing you can do is change the oil to a synthetic oil, like Mobil 1. The engine will turn over much easier with a synthetic in it.

Best of luck with the new car.

You will find that this site beats any other MB forum out there for intelligent, helpful and courteous members. I have found them to be an incredible resource.

CHEERS! I had a '67 MGB GT which I absolutely LOVED. I only drove it for one long summer before I decided to sell it. Worst decision of my life, but oh well. Someday I'll get another. Everybody likes to complain about Lucas electrics but I never had any problems, the car was very reliable and sturdy.