Mercedes 300 turbo diesel

[rs899]

I wouldn't be overly concerned with the smoothness of the shifts.  In fact, if you pull the vacuum line off the modulator and get all good hard shifts that would confirm the the tranny is basically sound.  The vac system can be adjusted- many of these cars were sent to an early demise due to minor vacuum issues.

If you are interested , feel free to check in over at peachparts.com diesel discussion and get smart(er).

Rick

[diesel smoke]

I wouldn't be overly concerned with the smoothness of the shifts.  In fact, if you pull the vacuum line off the modulator and get all good hard shifts that would confirm the the tranny is basically sound.  The vac system can be adjusted- many of these cars were sent to an early demise due to minor vacuum issues.

If you are interested , feel free to check in over at peachparts.com diesel discussion and get smart(er).

Rick

Thanks Rick, I'm gonna call up the guy tomorrow and see if he is willing to take it into a shop to get the vac lines checked. I'd do it myself, but I'm almost a 3 hour drive away. I just want to be sure it is mechanically sound before I buy it. If the body was perfect, I'd buy it. If it shifted good I'd buy it, but if it has a tranny problem that would cost me, I would pass on it because the body needs work too.

I'll definitely check out Peach parts. 

[OM617]

peachparts.com diesel discussion and get smart(er).

HA! Good luck with that there!

[diesel smoke]

Well, I gots another question. The guy with the last Merc that I linked never got back to me, so I gave up on it and found this one instead. http://edmonton.kijiji.ca/c-cars-vehicles-cars-1988-Mercedes-Benz-300-Series-TD-Sedan-W0QQAdIdZ167971092

I know that there's no pics, but I could always go look at it. So what's the general consensus on the '88 Mercs? Good? Bad?

[dennis]

I don't think there were any 88 300 Series diesel for the US market anyway. I would guess it to be an 87 300SDL if it is a sedan. A TD would be a wagon. The 603 engines are prone to cracked heads if over-heated. Look in the expansion tank for evidence of stop leak products. Check the exhaust for steam after warm-up. Nice BIG comfortable car with good power though.

[rs899]

Agree with Dennis.  The ad says sedan but TD is wagon (stands for something like touring and transport in German).  There were no 1988 US Mercedes diesel imports (or Canada, I think).  The alloy heads can crack, as he says, so be careful.  Quite a few sellers are clueless as to what they have, my guess is its a W123 sedan, most common model produced from 1982-85 in turbodiesel form.

Rick

[diesel smoke]

Cool beans. Thanks guys. I'll call up the guy tomorrow and see what he says. I wouldn't mind if it is a wagon, a big hatch back aint a bad thing.

[8v-of-fury]

A similar condition '82 VW Rabbit would be worth considerably more.

I would say it is more because of fan base. Some people pay more for rusty rabbits today then they were worth at the factory. With common sense playing a factor, a rusty 1978 1.5 diesel with 400k miles on it should be $50.. or a case of beer. Scenequeers made these cars hot... (don't get me wrong, i love em.. but hell if id pay over 4 grand for one.)

http://www.americanstreetmachines.com/xCars/PageId/11/Classic-Mopar-1970-Roadrunner-Superbird-for-sale/Id/61/1970-Roadrunner-Superbird/ProdId/476/LId/0,61/1970-Roadrunner-Superbird.html#2272170-PLY166250%20199.jpg

This car is in noway worth $275,000 It's just a 70's Chrysler with some bolt on FACTORY performance parts. 1969 you could pick that car up for four and change, and extra $750 got you the Monster Hemi. How did the cars value spike by $270,000 !? Scenesters not the actual value of the car.

and Yes Andrew, I just went there lol PREPARE TO SWORD FIGHT !!!

[Wayland]

FWIW, I didn't go for the Mercedes. I finally traded the truck for an 81 Jetta diesel and $1000.

[8v-of-fury]

FWIW, I didn't go for the Mercedes. I finally traded the truck for an 81 Jetta diesel and $1000.

Win/Win Congrats