Several questions that I have not been able to find answers to. I used the search feature first as advised, yet I could not find threads that were close enough to my problems. I apologize in advance for any repetitive questions. These questions are all for 1981 300D’s. Please pardon the long thread. If you have time to read and respond, I would like to say thanks in advance for the effort.

1. Car 1 Dash lights are not dim; they are inoperable. The lights for battery, bright, turn signals etc work but the instrument illumination doesn’t. I have replaced the appropriate light bulbs on the back of the cluster yet no luck. Any suggestions?

2. Car 1 This car is equipped with a vacuum lock system with which I am not familiar. I do not care about power locks yet the previous owner has done some tinkering with the vacuum system and the locks will not work even manually. If you push one down it will push the other up etc. Is there any way to disconnect the vacuum system and just have manual locks?

3. Car 1 The car will not automatically shift down when accelerating. The motor runs very well and will top out the gauge at 85, but it takes forever to get to 60 unless the trans is pulled to the S position. I think that it should shift anyway but it does not. Is this a vacuum issue as well or is this just the way these cars are?

4. Car 1 As stated earlier, the motor in the car runs very well yet it continues to run for about 1-2 seconds after the key is turned to the off position. Another vacuum system issue? Should I be worried? I do not want to get to the point that I am with the other car where it seems to run forever (See question 5).

4. Car 1 Radio works but antenna will not go up. I do not know if it is the motor or what. Is there a way to put the thing up manually?

5. Car 2 On one of the cars I bought in a pair the car continues to run after the switch is turned off. The kill switch under the hood does not work and the motor just seems to want to run forever. The car has to be turned off by sucking on a tube and shutting it off. As comical as it sounds, it works. How can I fix it so that the kill switch under the hood works? This is just a parts car that I eventually want to sell but I want to be able to turn the motor off.

The last question is just a matter of me trying to gauge whether my impulsive purchase was a mistake. As you can tell from the questions above, I just purchased a pair of 1981 non turbo 300D's. These are my first 123's. I purchased these cars to beat around town. I like the prospect of cars that seem to run so well yet are fairly inexpensive. I own several older Mercedes, a 126 coupe, 113 , and 108 (butchered with chevy 350) and drive a 129 as a company car. To make a long story short, I have several models but know nothing of the 123’s except that I like them. I was wondering if I paid too much. I thought I got a great deal (and therefore could not resist) at $900 for both and a Ford Econoline van full of parts (doors, trunk lids, lights, instrument clusters etc). Was this a decent deal for this bodystyle? Both had clear titles. One car runs and drives and even has new SLK wheels yet has no brakes and while the body is straight, the paint is not perfect and the interior leaves a lot to be desired. The second car looks good, interior and exterior. The dash is cracked and the trunk lid has slight rust but other than that, the car looks good. The second car also drives very well (drove it 120 miles at 80mph on interstate from sellers house) and has the minor problems, which I inquired about above. I am wondering whether it is worth the investment to sell one of the cars and try to build up the other. These cars are sooooo slow after the 126 (560 SEC) and the 129 (company car) but I love all Mercedes and one has a very nice ride. I feel like it would be dependable yet I am not familiar with the problems of these models. I would assume that since it is a Benz there will be only minor inconveniences but….. Any opinions? Thanks Again for taking the time to read this thread.