I was searching and read a very long thread on MB reliability. Kinda scared me as I'm about to get into this project. That and I had somebody tell me that I need to keep a bike in the trunk of an MB.
In looking over the design of my vehicle it doesn't seem to be overly complicated. I'm hoping the thread (which dealt with all years including the gas powered MB's) was speaking of problems with newer model, more complicated vehicles.
So I'm guess I'm asking those of you that own MB's with the same design and age as my 79' 300sd what your experiences with reliability have been.
My wife will be driving the car around town during the week's while I'm stuck at work so I need to know if I'm building something that's going to strand her repetedly due to faulty design.
Of course I know that this will depend on the quality of my work and of the work and matanence of the car before I owned it! I'm not one to blame another if my work isn't top notch.
thanks for your honest input!!!!!

The MB diesels are very reliable. The only time to worry is if it gets below 15 degrees it may not start unless its plugged in.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

average low of 32 here in the winters in southern New Mexico. Even on the unusually cold winter days it still warms to the mid 40's by midday.

anyone know if the 1980 w116's had the later style horizontal acc pushbuttons in them?

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

Oilspot,

I wouldn't worry too much about the reliability of your SD. Besides, if something does go awry, odds are it's happened to one of us, and we can help you fix it.
How many miles does it have? What kind of condition is it in in general? We could give you some idea as to what to look for/watch out for. Some do's and don'ts, ...things of that nature.

Enjoy it...you're wife is!

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

These cars are far from complex when compared to newer MB designs. As stated above, let us know what kind of condition your car is in. And rest assured, that if you are having problems with the car, support is here. A 1979 300SD that has been brought up to proper health will prove to be a VERY reliable car. So much so that you might want to get a trailer for your bicycle to pull your 300SD with, incase your bicycle breaks!



Welcome aboard oilspot!

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

I have a 1979 300sd I have drove it like I stole it maintained it the same and in 30,000 miles I have had 1 flat tire. Two glow plugs have been out I am afraid if I try to replace them at least one will break. It is a great bulletproof car we joke that the Germans are sneaking them over here to use as tanks. It is a blast to drive too, you could not ask for a fun more reliable economical and safe car in my humble opinion it is the second best car Mercedes ever made. The best of course is the W115 with a 4 speed.
Dave S

Oilspot:

I'd drive mine anywhere.

The a.c. buttons are different than the later cars, they have an on/off for the compressor and vertical buttons.

I've spent more than I paid for the car to cherry it out, but once you get 'em there, they are as reliable as they come.

Good luck, great car.

Old MB's are very reliable, I would drive mine anywhere. So far since getting mine last year it has not even made me worry that I would be stranded.

But a lot of deffered maintaince will probably have to be taken care of the first year.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200