W123 300d - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

VCR · #1 06-13-2003, 05:02 PM

I’m checking a 300D (W123) Kombi, the engine sounds good and it as a bit of rust (it looks only superficial), the interiors are a mess and it marks 175000Km. Since in not an expert in mechanics can same one give me same advice in what to look.

Tnks Vasco

BWatson · #2 06-13-2003, 06:15 PM

First, check the tranny. If there is a long hesitation going into reverse, this is an early sign of wear. Hard shifting can be adjusted out but slipping means trouble. Check the push pushbutton unit on the dash. Even if the AC doesn't blow cold, it should at least switch from hot to cool and defrost. A new pushbutton unit is $400 and a rebuilt is close to $200.

It's a good idea to inspect the vacuum pump although I don't know how. A total vacuum pump failure can break the timing chain.

Timing chain. either check or have checked the timing chain stretch.

With that mileage, the motor should be OK but it really depends on the price you plan to pay.

$1200, expect a fixer-upper

$1500, maybe runs OK but looks crappy

$2000, looks ok, runs ok...far from perfect.

$2500, Getting better.

$3000 and up...the interior better be clean and it better run decent.

Over $4000 It better be awesome.

My 2 cents anyway.

#3 06-13-2003, 09:34 PM

Ola Vasco!

Eu sou portugues...Pavao...meu portugues nao bom...

A station wagon (kombi) is what I wanted originally as a vehicle. But I have a 240D with a 4pseed. Make sure the rust isn't overly bad (if the price is low enough, rust insn't an issue) Check to make sure the transmission shifts well through all gears and doesn't slip. The car should idle evenly after being warmed up, and start fairly easily in your warm weather. The best advice I can give you is to take it to a Mercedes-Benz mechanic for a look over, on a lift or something.

Vive Portugal!

-Kyle Pavao
(Meu pai vivou em Sao Miguel, Acores)

VCR · #4 06-14-2003, 10:03 AM

Thanks for the help. Hi KylePavao you are still spiking good Portuguese, nice to find same one from Portugal in the forum.
I went to check the car today, “I could cry”. I was so badly treated by the guys in the shop that I just came home. Any way the car was in a crash, one can see that the chassis is really not strait and they wonted 2250€ for it, more or less 2630$. Ill try to post same pictures.

#5 06-14-2003, 10:07 AM

I am not from Portugal, but my father is.

2600 sounds like a great deal of money for a car that has been in an accident. Unless the car is in pretty sound shape with little to no rust, and runs good, I'd wait. I hear there are many nice W123's still out there in Europe, so keep up your journey to find the right car. I am happy my father didn't let me jump on what I first saw, now I have a 240D in good shap that I got for free.

If I was you and I was in Europe, I'd be looking for a 240TD Kombi with a four speed manual transmission. Of course, this is my dream car. In Inca Red....with tan MB tex and a third road seat. That is a dream!

VCR · #6 06-15-2003, 07:44 PM

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VCR · #7 06-15-2003, 07:45 PM

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VCR · #8 06-15-2003, 07:46 PM

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VCR · #9 06-15-2003, 07:47 PM

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psfred · #10 06-15-2003, 07:59 PM

Yup, someone hit something with it and the body work was marginal -- the hood is badly aligned and it appears that there is too much space between the fenders. One side is bent, probably. Might even have a bent front stub.

I'd pass, certainly if the tires show uneven wear or are brand new.

Peter

VCR · #11 06-15-2003, 08:20 PM

The tires aren’t new but they aren’t the same brand as the back ones, that are a lot more used. Also the front optics look older in the left side. I pass it…. the sales man keep me waiting for 50 minutes in the sun and is employee ignored several times my questions, we didn’t even look at me. I just went home.