I am looking at a 1992 300te with 201000 miles that has been maintained through the dealer from time of purchase. The person selling just wants to get rid of it so he wants $1200. Here is what I found after looking at it:

1. Cracked windshield - no brainer
2. Climate control system not responsive at all. Although it sounds as the compressor clicks on when defrost is hit, just no blower.
3. Rear Windshield wiper not working.
4. Uneven tire wear on left front and rear wheels - outside edge wear.
5. Oil pressure gauge reads 2 when started then drops to near 0 while warm. Pegs upon acceleration.
6. Slight oil leak - not sure from where - valve cover looks clean.

Any comments would be greatly helpful.

Sounds like a potential money pit...
one problem or another would be ok, but you have multiples..

I guess it all depends on if you will be doing your own wrench work, or taking it to a shop..

Planning on this to be a project car, or replacing a daily driver?

Thanks for the response. It will be a daily driver. I am comfortable doing some repair work, nothing terribly major. I currently own a 79 300td, which I would look to replace, but I am not looking for a money pit. The 79 123 is easy to work on and still runs great, it has some rust, cosmetic issues, and the dreaded Chrysler ACC system which only blows hot air!! At least the windows roll down!

The lowest oil pressure allowable at idle is a half bar. It would read lower if the idle is too low. An oil change could bring it up. If the oil pressure is lower than that the car might still be worth the money if the body and interior is in excellent condition.

But you would be needing a different motor.

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

To really make it driveable (not just a beater or something) you'll need to sink at least the following stuff into the car:

-Windshield
-Time and cost to fix the climate control.. anywhere from $5 (fuse) to $2000 (everything including the compressor). I would guess high.
-Rear wiper motor - not too hard if you can find a junkyard or eBay part
-Tire wear is likely just an alignment if the suspension looks good and the car hasn't been hit.
-Oil pressure is the big thing.. you are gonna end up putting a motor in this car, sooner or later.
-Oil leak could be the rear main seal which is much $ and not really an easy DIY job.

So if you want to drive it "as is" it's a deal. Start fixing things, and you could easily end up $6k in the car!

If it were my car, I'd replace the windshield, fix the climate control without A/C working (get the blower and heater working), align the car, and tinker with the rear wiper motor. All relatively easy stuff to do. Then just keep driving till you kill it (likely from no oil pressure....)

My bigger worry is this: If the previous owner hasn't been driving it without a proper windshield, rear wiper, working climate control, and wierd tire wear, what else is going to go bang? He obviously hasn't spent much money on the car in the last few years!!

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