I am flying to Raleigh on Friday to pick up a 300sdl (assuming that nothing about it scares me once I get there). I have had a '78 300d for a while, and have driven a few 126s, but not an SDL. Is there anything specific I should check on this car before I hand over the money?
What do I do about plates. As I understand it, the plates in NC sort of go with the owner instead of with the car. When you get a car there you apparently put your own plates on it. Here in MN, the plates stay with the car, so I can't very well take the plates from one of my cars here and just stick them on a different car. What do I do? I assume I can get a temporary window tag, but does anyone know for sure?
thanks , andy

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andy t
'78 300d
'95 volvo 850, wagon
'86 300sdl - engine out, maybe I'll have it rolling by June

whole bunch o' bicycles

pack the mn plates. and drive carefully. no one will know. and good luck on the purchase experience.

Call NC motor vehicles. When I bought my 409d in CA, they gave me a temporary registration to drive home. Cost $10. In CO you can get a temporary one month permit. Make sure the motor vehicle office will be open when you are there.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

You really need a response from someone who has done this in NC, because the rules vary from state to state. Buying my 240D in NY required 3 trips to the DMV, about 2 hours each time, along with several hours of phone calls and a few faxes. An absolutely horrific experience that I would not want to repeat.

Nor would I ever put plates on a car they didn't belong with. Some careless nut can always run into you, no matter how careful you are, and you'll end up in court or in jail.

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Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

I would second the sentiment about not putting different plates on a car. I imagine it would be far worse to put false plates on than to not have any plates at all. I think usually if you have the bill of sale with you, you are okay. Good idea to check with your state, the purchase state, and maybe the states along the way, though, just to be safe.

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Keep everything as simple as possible-but no simpler--Albert Einstein

Get the title signature notarized.
Get a transport tag.
Get transport insurance.

NC and SC also use roadblock DUI screen, you would risk to much, and any MB is a red flag for a search, possible to loose the tag and car + jail, in worst case.

Not plate related, but make sure to squeeze the upper radiator hose on the engine while the engine is cold and not running. Make sure that the owner has run the engine up to operating temperature the previous day. If the hose is hard after it has sat overnight, the head is cracked and/or the gasket is blown. If you can squeeze it without any problems or resistance, everything is good.

This is a very important test, be sure that you do it, as a new head will cost you thousands of dollars if the original one is cracked.

As a resident of the great Commonwealth of Virginia, I can go to my DMV web site and purchase a "trip permit" that is good for three days - to be used for driving a car from point to point within the state or from outside the state to within the state. You pay your $5 by credit card, and print the permit out on your printer.

Trip Permit gets taped inside the rear window. Now you're fully legal and don't have to worry about getting stopped for anything from speeding to a routine check - and going to jail until they sort out just whose car you are driving.

Hopefully MN has the same thing for its citizens.

Ken300D

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1982 300D at 351K miles
1984 300SD at 217K miles
1987 300D at 370K miles

A call to your insurance agent, if you have a local one, might be more productive than contacting the DMV..

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One more Radar Lover gone...
1982 VW Caddy diesel 406K 1.9L AAZ
1994 E320 195K

I have relatives that live in Raleigh, NC. My uncle has dealer plates, as he buys/sells and trades old cars as a hobby. If you still need the information I will e-mail him and ask him. I think that here in Tennessee, you can buy temporary transport plates, but not sure. I too would advise against installing un-registered plates on the car. That will only get you a $$$ fine. Good luck with your purchase.

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2004 Toyota Sequoia Limited 4wd
1991 Lincoln Town Car Executive
1991 Cadillac Sedan DeVille
1988 Mercedes 300SEL
1972 Chevrolet Caprice Kingswood Estate 9-passenger wagon
1973 Pontiac Grand Ville
(Prior MB's: 1974 240D, 1985 380SE, 1984 190D, 1993 400SEL)