Mercedes 300 turbo diesel - page 3 - Non VW Group Diesel - VWDiesel.net The IDI, TDI, and mTDI source.

• #30 by rs899 on 22 Oct, 2009 07:44
• 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
• #31 by diesel smoke on 22 Oct, 2009 18:14
• Quote from: rs899 on 22 Oct, 2009 07:44

  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. 
• #32 by OM617 on 24 Oct, 2009 21:11
• Quote from: rs899 on 22 Oct, 2009 07:44

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

  HA! Good luck with that there!
• #33 by diesel smoke on 16 Nov, 2009 18:51
• 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?
• #34 by dennis on 17 Nov, 2009 06:22
• 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.
• #35 by rs899 on 17 Nov, 2009 07:23
• 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
• #36 by diesel smoke on 17 Nov, 2009 17:37
• 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.
• #37 by 8v-of-fury on 25 Feb, 2010 08:58
• Quote from: libbybapa on 25 Feb, 2010 07:27

  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 !!!
• #38 by Wayland on 25 Feb, 2010 09:37
• FWIW, I didn't go for the Mercedes. I finally traded the truck for an 81 Jetta diesel and $1000.
• #39 by 8v-of-fury on 25 Feb, 2010 10:49
• Quote from: Wayland on 25 Feb, 2010 09:37

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

  
  Win/Win Congrats