Would you? Non 4x4 mercedes diesel question

Archdukeferdinand

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2006
Location
Vilas, NC
So a friend is selling a 1984 mercedes 300td 3.0 5cyl turbodiesel with 280,000mi on the clock. Test drove it today and the tranny shift a little hard. Motor looks in good shape doesn't seem to have much blow-by. Leakin from one injector, otherwise in decent shape. Started first crank.

Is it worth $400? I'm thinking pretty hard about buying it.

Love to look at swapping the motor into my XJ eventually but for now I think it might be worth it as a DD.

If it turns out to be unreliable its probably worth $400 in parts, but I have no clue about that. Anyone have experience with these cars?
 
If you don't buy it gimme the number I want to go look at it. I may buy it
 
oh man, I completely forgot to mention something big-

Its got a parasitic battery drain when its turned off. That's why she's selling it at all, right now they've just been disconnecting the battery when not driving it.
 
my dad drove the same car for about 15 years. Sucker would NOT DIE. Seems a pretty solid investment.
Seems tome the motor alone is worth > $400.
 
Yea, the engine is worth the $400. They run absolutely forever! The rest of the car is a tank too. Put you a battery disconnect switch on it and roll!
 
Id PM bigwoody....he is the go to mercedes expert....
 
NC_Mog said:
The transmissions on these cars typically shift fairly hard.
Click to expand...


Yeah, I realized it doesn't want to be babied. I've driven it all over the past couple of days. After letting the turbo really spool up on a couple of long uphills and blown some trash out the back, its started to run smoother and have more power.

I've concluded I got a steal, the windows & sunroof work better on this than on my subaru that is 17 years newer and has 140k less miles on it... Doesn't go anywhere fast but its comfy.

I'm gonna change the fluids, go over the fuel system and drive this thing till it dies for good (who knows when that'll be). Thanks for the input everyone.

Anyone want to buy a 2001 subaru forester :huggy:
 
my mom had an 82.. sold it with 400K and i still see it on the road when i go back home..

Great investment.

Also when the starter or other engine electical goes out, look into delco parts, half my mom's engine was delco stuff when she sold it... Much cheaper to replace.
 
Back
Top