Is my 1985 300SD worth saving?
 

I have a 1985 300SD with 300,000 miles.

The body is in great shape. The AC blows cold air. The electonics work wonderfully. Paint is clean. Power windows, locks, sunroof scoot. The cruise is fairly tight. Etc... You get the picture.

However, on Tuesday, the turbo went out. The car still runs, although without much power and expelling enormous amounts of oily smoke.

As I see it, I have one of three options:

Option A) Replace the turbo, and carry on...until the next big thing happens. Cost of $500-1000 (ish)

Option B) Replace the entire engine and turbo. A new/rebuilt engine (with turbo) will come with a 4yr 50,000 mile warranty (and cost $6-7k to buy and install)

Option C) Punt and get a different car.

I'd really like to make a decision quickly (i.e. today or tomorrow), so any feedback you guys have would be great!

Do some research and see if you can get new bearings for the turbo... even if you needed to have a machine shop install them that might be the cheapest route...
When you say " went out".. you mean to the 7 -11 ? Did it explode or just quit turning ?

Basically, it doesn't turn. I can drive it, but, it ain't pretty!

It all depends on how you feel about your car. If my car was in this situation I'd definitely get a new turbo as I've already invested a lot of money into the car and selling it at this point would be wasteful. If your car's body is really nice and you have the money and you really like your car, you might even want to consider the new engine.

MB turbos don't go out often... so in any case you are going to want to check out the reason it gave up the ghost...

Your entire car sounds great Except the turbo... just replace the turbo and drive it till the engine wears out... you will still have the turbo to change over to your new engine at that time....

Buy a car with a rough body and a good engine, then do the swap. Much cheaper than the 6-7 grand route. The you have a parts car too! Look on e-bay... One never knows....

I was planning on driving the car for at least another year, until this happened.

I appreciate the help guys!

{btw, if anyone would really like to buy this, lmk, and I could possibly be talked into selling it...silver with blue leather...}

Speaking as a complete non-gearhead, how would I go about figuring this out?

Interesting idea! Thanks!

Not a cheap alternative for a self-proclaimed non-gearhead who'll have a shop do it.

Sixto
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

Particularly true if only the turbo is bad... why switch engines if the engine is not bad.... The turbo is bad.... change the turbo.... :D

I saw a turbo unit on Ebay not too long ago that would fit your application. I think it was going for like $200.

turbo unit on Ebay going for like $200. . . .
 

That is way too many bucks, unless its new, like with a manufacturers warranty. I had a turbo rebuilt for not much more than thet at Majestic Turbo, in Waco, TX.
see: http://www.majesticturbo.com
I believe the '85 300SD uses a year-specific turbo that is oriented to fit the intake manifold and exhaust that attaches to a trap oxidizer. Or am I thinking of the CA cars? I know CA cars are different for certain, and turbos in the '85 300D are different for that year production. Not a big deal, if you can't find a good used one for your mechanic to install, get yours rebuilt.
A good used turbo should run $75 to $150 max from a wrecking yard and labor would run $150 to $300. As always, YMMV
Dieseldiehard

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=33742&item=2413774111

THis one went for $200 .... sure looked pretty.... even had caps on the openings... LOL

That Waco place sounds like a good deal... next time I am going through there I will stop by and visit...

I did a google search and called a few 800 numbers... they were all talking $500 plus even to rebuild.... must not have found the right places.... I am thinking rebuilding yours should not cost over $250....

Thanks guys.

I got a quote on a rebuilt one for $400. I called my local Benz repair shop (not the dealership), and they told me they'd let me know tomorrow whether or not they'd put their standard 1yr warranty on it since they didn't know the supplier (who is the guy who actually pointed me to this site).