CSchmidt & psfred,

I'll do the vacuum debugging after I actually get the car and the weather supports it. I just put a deposit on the car and will finish paying for it tomorrow, with any luck.
The climate control appears to work fine, and the shifting continues to be hard even after the car is well warmed up. But all of this is based on one test drive, albeit a pretty long one.
This is a totally sweet car. I have been wanting to get one of these for a while now, and the occasion of passing the 300SD baton to my 17 year old son was the perfect time. This one was on e-bay and I found out that the seller lived about 5 miles from me here in Rockville. Apparently I was the only serious bidder. The car is beautiful, with great paint, interior well above average, and engine has had regular service. So I now have the car I've been wanting for some time. Woo woo!
I do plan to run synthetic in the transmission and engine. I switched my 300SD to Amsoil and have been happy with it. Very, very nice ride and now I can take the entire family out with lots of room for everyone.

Anyway, I'm long winded. I'll take your advice and look it over before taking it to a mechanic. They're pretty tough to get scheduled here in the DC area.

- Ted

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1987 300SDL 265,000 mi.
1982 300SD 325,000 mi. (and holding)
1956 Packard Clipper 150,000 mi.