Looking at 300TD - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

TClanton · #1 03-13-2004, 08:49 PM

Hey Guys,

I'm coming out of lurk mode to get opinions...

Happened to see an ad today for an 84 300TD and curiosity got the better of me. Went and took a look and was pleasantly surprised. Belongs to another Bham guy who has had the car for 15 years. Purchased from original owner in Miami...no rust at all. Car has 130K with extensive service records, also from an indy I know of here in town. Guy has done some of his own maintenance and motor is pristine. Original burgandy paint is good with some minor dings on the hood and one scrape on the lower rear passenger door. Original Tex interior (black) in in excellent shape (cargo carpet faded a little blue, but not bad), wood good, etc. Rear hydraulics have been replaced and the car sits up correctly. AC converted. Only thing that I really noticed was what seemed like a faster than normal idle and harsh shift out of first. It also seemed a little more sluggish off the line than my 116. Oh yeah, whatever controls the AC/heat vents (vacuum?) is bad and he has disconnected the side vents so that only the center ones work....AC is cold. How much trouble to fix that?

Anyway, he's asking $3600, which seems relatively reasonable for the other TD prices I've seen. Had no prob with me taking it in for an inspection with my mechanic.

If it checks out, how's the deal sound? Would you give up a pristine 116 (I KNOW, but I can't have both) for the TD? I could use the hauling room...have a Great Dane, and have always like the wagons. On the other hand, I've spent a whole lot of time and money on my SD and will definitely take a loss selling it.

OK, bring it on

rdsw · #2 03-13-2004, 08:56 PM

but in the 126 body. The TD sounds like a nice ride for the money. I'd consider buying it, and forget about having only one- spares are good. A friend of mine in Massachusetts once said "Anything worth doing is worth doing to excess!". He was a really smart guy.

diesel don · #3 03-13-2004, 10:38 PM

There are pros and cons to keeping an extra car. I have 5 daily drivers and six cars (one for a spare). But I find that I want to keep all of them up to par. Problem is, it would be a full time job.

So my first advice is buy it and keep all of them, but if time and money don't allow you to, the TD is a nice way to go. I put all kinds of junk in mine and haul it around.

I paid $5k for mine. Way too much as there was some rust beginning to develop. In three years, rust manages to find lots of friends.

Don

TClanton · #4 03-13-2004, 11:03 PM

No question I'd like to add to the pile, but we are already running over with my 2 MBs, Explorer, company van and better half's Saab 9-3......no more room in the drive! Or extra money for insurance, etc. etc......this is strictly either/or. My problem is, I like them all....116, 123, 126, 124.....

With my SD, I've done all the major stuff, including new interior, tires, window regs/motors, so on, and I love the 116. Too, you don't see them around like 123s.....

1stimer · #5 03-14-2004, 01:02 AM

Keep the 116. Only my opinion of course, but if you've spent the money getting it how you want it to be, then why get rid of it? Just so you can haul a little more stuff? Nice 116 diesels are rare and getting even more so. Plus, those suckers are fast. And the chrome...mmmmm..chrome!

On the other hand 3600 is a nice price....You could drive it around for a little while and see how you like it, and probably even make a profit after that selling it on e-bay. The wagons seem to bring a bit more money than the sedans.

Final thought----Keep the 116.

Good luck---keep us posted.

TClanton · #6 03-14-2004, 10:57 AM

Spent last night with my head in MB books reading up on 123s....my inclination is to keep my 116, but I think I'm going to have to check into the TD further. Hopefully I will be able to run it in for a check tomorrow and go from there.

1ST- you're right about the chrome and the speed....two of my favorite things about my SD!

Should the TD be slower than my 116?

TC

TClanton · #7 03-14-2004, 10:56 PM

Made an appt with seller to take the TD in for inspection tomorrow...hope my indy has time because I leave for AR for work on Tuesday morning and don't want to miss out on the car if it gets the nod of approval. Anything different on 123 vs 116 that I should be paying attention to? That harsh shift out of first is my biggest concern....

dmorrison · #8 03-15-2004, 12:09 AM

I have both the 86 300SDL and the 82 300TD. The SD IS a luxury car. Size is bigger. And the rides is smother and quieter. More bells and wistles. So understand that your going from a luxury level of car to the bottom line during those years.
The SDL we have, yes I know there is a difference between the 6 cylinder and the 5 cylinder SD, has some nicer things. Wider seats, electric seats, more soundproofing, rides as a heavier car, nicer sound system, etc,etc. The TD is a utilitarian car, No electric seats, or memory seats (yours probably does not have these) sound system is OK, not as wide or as heavy. A little bit noisier, due to the weight and lack of insulation. The ride is a little stiffer in the TD. and the rear seat room is less then the SD.
But you have the rear storage area. I have rebuilt the suspension to improve the ride. And will go thru the car cosmetically to make it a nice vehicle to own, New carpet, seat covers, trim etc. and a new Cd indash unit, Will redo all the wood trim and make it more like a new car.
I truely love the SDL and the TD. But they are different beasts!!.
You can enjoy the TD just understand that it is a step down on the totem pole of luxury.

Dave

dmorrison · #9 03-15-2004, 12:26 AM

Now for comments on the items you listed.

Converted AC. The 123 Ac system was not a good candidate for 134 conversion. The front condensor is not that big so the R134 taxes its ability. How long ago did he do the conversion and was it done correctly? go here and read about black death.

http://www.ackits.com/

If converted using the cheap method you may be facing problems 1-2 years after he did the conversion.

burgandy paint- actually Orient Red

Black interiors, could make the AC not have the ability to keep up.

AC vents. Now your talking Vacuum. If the vacuum system is not maintained properly the vacuum amount can suffer and it affects all the vacuum units ( condition of rubber connectors, elements, etc.). AC, Transmission, door locks,shutoff, EGR, Etc. So have the independent shop check the vacuum system.
Hard shifting is also caused by a lack of vacuum, At Denver Vs. Dallas, my 300TD shifted harder due to the lack of atmosheric pressure.

AC side vents. If the system is operating normally the only way you get the side vents to shut off is the use defroster. So the vacuum elements are messed up or the control unit switching valves.

Check for rust in the wheel wells, under the battery, at the bottom of the rear lower control arms, at the jack point inserts.

Dave

unkl300d · #10 03-15-2004, 12:37 AM

That's a low milage car and the price is not bad if all checks out.
Low milage is good as long as the oil has been changed
with proper frequency and it has not been run on low oil.
Go for it!!
You can use it and sell it for same a year later!!(or keep it)
No loss.

TClanton · #11 03-15-2004, 10:35 AM

Thanks for the tips, guys...

Dave, the AC conversion was done by German Swede, so I'm hoping correct parts were used. The list was relatively long. Your concerns about the vacuum system are the same ones I have in my sinking stomach. The other side of the coin is that the owner has extensive records and has done some of his own maintenance as well. I definitely don't think it has been "neglected", but maybe a corner got cut on the vacuum, since this was like a third car.

As far as stepping down a notch, I've already thought of that. My 116 is definitely a prettier car, but is probably about the same as far as room and creature comforts. It doesn't have pseats, etc. I have upgraded the sound system....the wagon has a new radio, don't know about speakers.

Indy is looking at it today, so I guess I'll have food for thought. He's done alot of the work of the 116, so he's probably going to tell me I'm crazy.

Terry

#12 03-15-2004, 04:25 PM

I paid $4500.00 for mine over the internet. If I had known better, I wouldn't have been so trusting. IT's not that she purposefully mislead me, it's that I was asking her to look in all the wrong places for rust.
You see, my 300TD didn't rust from the outside in from road salt, etc. It rusted from the inside out due to water collection secondary to clogged drains.
Depending on your model, there are drains under each hood hinge which will empty into the wheel well, which is where i found the majority of my damage: the drains were clogged, the water stood and rusted out the firewall, and this resulted in water being introduced into the cabin.
In the 300TD, and I think for all W123's, the rear footwells are the lowest point in the floor plan, so if water is introduced into the cabin ANYWHERE it will eventually wind up there.
Do yourself a favor: really, really, really, really get upside down and look way up into the corners of the front footwells to look for problems. Then push both seats as forward as they can go and peal up the carpet- not just the mats, but the carpet itself and look for evidence of standing water and corrosion.
If you find some, you may still decide to buy the car, but you will know what you're getting into and you'll have some negotiating leverage.

TClanton · #13 03-15-2004, 05:20 PM

Well, the agony of deciding came to an abrupt end this morning. Had called and scheduled time with my mechanic, left a message for the seller and waited. Finally heard from him about 11AM and he had already sold the car to someone else who didn't want to bother with a check. Didn't offer me the opportunity to take it w/o inspection, tho we talked late yesterday afternoon with the understanding I would call first thing this morning. SO, either the guy's a just a jerk or he had something he didn't want found. I just hope for the sake of whoever bought it that it's the former. I can understand not wanting to have any more hassles with selling a car than you have to, but (IMO) there is a fair way to play the game and a call saying he had a no contigency sell available would have been nice.

On the upside, I no longer have to agonize over selling my 116. Drove it all day today instead of the company car and remembered why I loved it so much to start with. Think I'll install the rear headrests I just bought and drive for a while..

Thanks for all the advice everybody!

rdsw · #14 03-15-2004, 06:12 PM

Sounds like things worked out for the best. I'd be suspicious too about what the seller might not have wanted found.....enjoy the one you have!

TClanton · #15 03-15-2004, 11:45 PM

That's the plan! I went ahead and ordered the covers for my rear headrests today and plan on going ahead with new springs for the front seats as well...shoulda done that when I got the new leather, but there's only so much money. Anyway, I sure had a good time driving her today....felt like I had ALMOST cheated on her...:p