So, I am sure you have all read till your blue in the face how reliable these cars are, But I contiue to be impressed.

I bought this 19 year old car with 201,000miles on it, from the original owner. He kept it in great shape I have most recipts, and the car realy never had any major repairs other than a/c compressor, cruise and climate control repairs. and oil changes, thats it. The paint is still very shinny and just the normal door dings here and there. No rips or tears except foir the drivers seat is starting to lean(the springs are broken) I paid $1,000 for the car almost a year ago.

I have replaced the timing chain, had the racall done on the trap box, changed all fluids, lower ball joints, tires and thats it. I drive it daily to and from work, 100 miles per day, a/c works great all acc work, no rattles, almost drives like a new car. the miles worrie me. This car uses no oil between oil changes, and no leaks
I swear!! I have put 12,000 on it and am waiting for this thing to just blow up, but it doesnot??????

I am affraid to spend money on the drivers seat, beacuse I think it will be the kiss of death. Is this thing worth putting money into
and how long do you realy think the tranny and engine will last?
It does not smoke at all, and starts right up in the am, with no hessitation, the tranny shifts very nicely.

Your advice please?

Baffled in Seattle

Is this a trick question ?
You should sell it immediately to another forum member .... the seat costs like $600 to fix... no point with an old junker like you have.... Only crazy people are on this forum.... let it drive them further into madness...

I'll be in Seattle in mid July.. I'll come by and drive.. ehmm.. haul that junker away for you.

__________________
'84 300CD Turbo 132k (Anthracite Grey) - WVO - My daily driver - Recently named coo-coo-coupe by my daughter.
'84 300D Turbo 240k (Anthracite Grey) - Garage Queen
'83 300D Turbo 220k (Orient Red) - WVO - Wifes daily driver

I'm not a certified mechanic, but I did stay at a HolidayInn Express last night.

OK, I get the picture!

I plan on keeping it till it blows up, I actually like this old car, but you know when you buy an old car just for an extra car, the goal is keep it cheap!

So how long do these 5 cyl diesels run , when properly maintained?

Do you have any grey hair yet? If you are a careful driver AND perform the NECESSARY maintinence, then perhaps you are looking at many years....AND OR until you just get sick of the vehicle.
spo out

Yeah...these gentlemen are trying to prey on you.

Seriously, keep the maintenance up and don't abuse the car, and she'll go on indefinitely. If you have the $$, I wouldn't hesitate to get the seat fixed...although you can put some tennis balls in the springs as an interim fix (the PO of my car did that, and they've been at least tolerable for the 30K miles I've had my car).

Your car is just getting broken in!!

__________________
2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

Montanacw.


If you keep up with the maintenance and
your're lucky, the engine could reach

1.000.000 miles.

So dump all that fear into the dirty oil next
oil change and get rid of it.

Louis.

Your motor is just getting broken in my friend. Don't be scared to spend some $$$ on the car. You will get it back when you sell it for the most part.

-George

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'81 300TD (White) 225,000 miles
'85 300SD (Burgandy) 239,000 miles
'86 300SDL (Silver) 340,000 miles

Montanacw,

I am also relatively new to the diesel scene, having owned mine for about a year and a half, and having driven about 6K miles. I don't drive much or even leave town often. I have had very little done to the car, and my biggest concern is being in an accident.

My friends make fun of me and call it "the car for life", and joke about how I will simply never need to buy another car unless I want to. I must say on top of it all, the cost for parts is relatively low!

The likelihood of it "blowing up" is negligible if you take proper care of it. It might eventually "wear out" and you might choose not to invest the money required to rebuild the engine or the transmission, however, this may not occur until the vehicle has 500K miles on it.

Now, if you had a 350, then, we can discuss "blowing up"

I'll tell you what. If you're worried about it, put it on a transport truck towards Paradise, TX. I'll give you that $1,000 you paid for it without a moment's hesitation. Then I'll have that creampuff Mercedes diesel that has eluded me all this time.

No, I am not kidding.

Saw a 4cyl (240D) that was worn out (not blown up) at 369,400 miles. All it needed was a rebuild.
Another member here, sold his 300D with 308,000 miles...Occasionally he still sees the guy driving it around town, and that was almost a year ago.

Seats? Go to a junk yard, and find a nice one there. The passenger side seats usually hold up better than the drivers seats.

Enjoy it until you wear it out, and then rebuild it, and do it all over again. (hmm...to bad you can't to that with a few other things...)

-Larry

__________________
It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

Montanacw, I own the same model and year car. All you need is patience and you'll be a longtime happy owner. The thing is if you ever have a problem don't jump to any conclusions. I almost did. Just spend some time with this forum like I do. I bought my car over a year ago with 212K and have put over 14k miles on it. I like the car so much that I want to look for another one. My car had the trap recall by the previous owner but I am getting rid of the set up soon so I can gain the extra 5 hp and be rid of those expensive air filters plus it'll give me a little more room under the hood. Also keep an eye on your transmission. Mine was rebuilt by the previous owner at only 108K miles but I think it was done for nothing. Don't let any unscrupulous mechanic take you in. Ask around the forum if you have concerns.

__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Thank you all for your positive replys!!!

I am not new to diesels at all, I have 2 Ford F350's with 7.3 and 6.0 powerstrokes. I pull horse trailers with them, they are great!
and last a long time as well.

But this mercedes has me amazed!,, I drive the *&%$ out of it, floor it between stop lights, slam on the brakes, nothing fazes this car. and everything works, including the a/c in this hot weather.

It just shocks me for my little investment how much I am getting out of it! Its almost sick how much this old car is growing on me.

I am taking great care of it, and will drive it till it can't go anymore!

Thanks again!

I got into my wife's Accura when I picked it up from having it repaired again. I forgot and stepped on the throttle while pulling out on to the street. Whooooieee, I forgot what a ride it was.

I have no idea how many miles are on my old 240D, but the rubber on the clutch pedal was worn almost down to the metal. I thought the engine was tired because it used so much oil, but after repairing the vacuum pump the oil consumption went from a quart every 150 miles to almost zero.

There are a lot of 123's in the local Pick-A-Part yard. Well at least 2 at any given time. Seats hold up phenomonly well, so finding a seat should be no problem.

Of course if you want a great ride on the way home from the repair shop, we can talk about trading for a 91 Accura. My Mercedes needed an alternator, vacuum pump, A/C compressor, and while I had it apart, I went ahead and put on a new water pump. What it has not neaded is a sleep-over in the repair shop. In fact, if I wanted to deal with disposing of used oil it would have never been in a shop at all since I bought it.

It runs sweet. I have a spare engine, just in case. I am looking for a trans, this one is kind of noisy.

How long will I keep my Mercedes? Only as long as I can drive.

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69 220D not running
79 240D parts car
80 240D Beater runs everyday
81 300TD temp disabled cooling problem
82 300SD sweet