'83 300TD 181K for $2900...thoughts, please. - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

rickjordan · #16 11-19-2001, 12:42 AM

I am going to be picking up the car tomorrow and it's pretty much all highway from my place to the previous owner's place. Soi I will see how well the ride is on the highway. I of course test drove the car, but only got it up to 50 mph. So I am lokking forward to see how she is 70+. The original owner's manual is still in the car, as is the MB tool kit.

can-do · #17 11-19-2001, 12:49 AM

Greetings Rick,

You definitely need to post some pics of this gem, if not for everyone to see just for a fellow TD owner if nothing else.
You'll love it, that I know, and yes, take first dibbs on driving it to work if you get up earlt enough to beat the wife out the door.

Charles

Just another incentive to have more kids, bad thought, sorry!

rickjordan · #18 11-19-2001, 12:56 AM

Charles, I would like to post some pictures if I can figure out a way. I used to have 300SD pictured as part of my signature below, but that was through Photopoint.com. They have since started charging to have use of their service. I was only using it to attach my SD's picture for this forum. I don't know, maybe I could scan some pictures and send them to someone who could in turn post them. Well of course first I have physicaly get the car and clean her up. Oh, just a little FYI for model year 1983, they only made 4,898 Turbo diesel wagons. For your model year, 1980, they made 7,523 non-turbo wagons.

can-do · #19 11-19-2001, 01:05 AM

Greetings Rick,

I don't know of any service provider that doesn't give you at least a meg or so of their server space to either upload or down load files to. Give them a call and ask them what their ftp address is so you can use cuteftp program to upload pics to. if you don't have the program it is free from their site. I can help you make the temp program permanent, if need be.

Charles

rickjordan · #20 11-19-2001, 08:59 PM

Well I now own the TD in question. Just came back from picking it up. When I test drove it, it was daylight, so I didn't notice that the light for the gear selector is burnt out and for some reason the radio doesn't light up. It is the original Becker Europa radio and it does work but with out lighting.
I do have a quick question about the leveling system for those fellow wagon owners out there. How much weight is needed before the car will raise back up and how long does it take to level out?
Tomorrow I plan on detailing the car, particularly the interior. The car even has the original first aid kit and tool kit. The central locking system works and as do all the power windows.

unkl300d · #21 11-19-2001, 09:56 PM

TD = TOUCH DOWN !!!!
yahooooo.

:p

can-do · #22 11-19-2001, 10:09 PM

Greetings Rick,

Hey, if light bulbs are the only problem with your new TD then you've got it made. The center counsel is easy to remove and replace the bulb. The radio might be a different story. I have a Awai cd combo in mine so I suppose it's a matter of removing the Becker and finding the bulb that lights it up. Might need the keys to remove the radio though.
Just take the kids out for a ride or a 100lbs. or so in the rear end and see if it raises a tad bit once you start up the beast. It doesn't take but a few seconds for the rear end to sense the load and raise the rear. Don't go by the height of where the wheel sits in relation to the fender well, seeing as the rear wells are lower than the front.

Charles

rickjordan · #23 11-20-2001, 12:36 AM

Charles, So far it is just a matter of those light issues. The sunroof is very stiff to open. It unlocks fine, it's just hard to slide back. I suppose a little WD-40 or lithium grease might make it easier. I was looking throught the owner's manual, and there is no mention of the leveling system. It is listed in the "types of lubricants" which that only says "hydraulic fluid". You would think that being a significant feature, it would be mentioned in the manual. Is there a fluid change interval for this hydrualic fluid and where do you buy it?

#24 11-20-2001, 12:38 AM

The hyd. fluid is available at the dealer. I heard Febi makes it for mercedes and you can buy that brand a little cheaper.

can-do · #25 11-20-2001, 01:12 AM

Greetings Rick,

As turbo mentioned the hyd. fluid for the rear suspension is made by Febi and is quite expensive about $10.00 to $13.50 a liter and it requires 3.5 liters to change fluid and filter. The fluid and filter are recommended to be changed every year. Fastlane doesn't carry the fluid but they do have the filter. Partshop has the fluid, but at $13.50 a liter I think I'd do some more looking seeing as most places have it for around $9.00 excluding dealers of course.
I'd be more than happy to email you any area off the cd manual if you don't have one.

Charles

#26 11-21-2001, 07:52 PM

Hi Rick & all,

Having two wagons myself, I know you'll love your new addition.

I paid $1,500 for my 82 turbo wagon with 250K. This one has a little rust, had been sitting for over a year & a few things didn't work, but over all it ran fine. It does have the third row seat though.

I paid $2,500 for my 80 non turbo wagon with 205K. This one is perfect, everthing works & is tight as a drum. It had been repainted, right over the dings too, but looks good. Another third row seat too.

As if that wasn't enough, I have my eye on a 124 series wagon with a sagging rear end parked out on the side of a $600K+ house. Its been parked for a loooong time, inspection sticker just expired last month too! I left my name and # with the grandma watching the kids. I'm hoping to hear from the guy now.

My wife thinks I'm crazy, but she hasn't put her foot down yet *grin*

~George~

*** Rick, We'll have to have another meet now that your home, right Turbo Diesel???

can-do · #27 11-21-2001, 10:03 PM

Greetings George,

Great to have a fellow '80 TD owner on board, especially a non-turbo model at that. We've probably got a lot to talk about if you drive it at all like I do mine. I generally use mine as a daily driver and ends up with additional 250 miles on her weekly if I just drive to work that is. Mine originally came from Calif and not resides in Missouri. I don't think it will appreciate the cold Winters here and I've yet to get my block heater installed. I've got the part, but finding a 19mm allen head to fit is next to impossible. I thought about taking it to a MB dealer for installation, but that's some 75 miles away, not a pleasent trip or a way to spend a day, not to mention what they'd charge to do it. Got any ideas on that one, let me know? I also seem to have a blockage on the rear window washer hose. Ever come across that one, if so let me know how you cleared it up. Also wondering how much blowby you are experiencing when you remove the oil filler cap with the engine running. Does it puff out at you or not?
I'd appreciate any relative info sharing you can provide, so I don't feel so alone with this wagon.

Charles

Ever get a humming (droning) sound from the rear end while traveling down the road at around 60mph?

The emblem that some kids stole has since been replaced.

#28 11-22-2001, 05:14 AM

Hi Charles,

The 80 is my wifes car, she puts about 350 miles a week on it. Being that one is the best looking & running one out of the lot (so far), we use that one for our sunday car.

Ive noticed a slight droning in the front of this one at arond 30 mph, luckily for us we do all highway driving so its not a bother. The steering & braking are great so Im not gonna worry about it...

I ordered the valve wenches from some company down in Fla, I found there # here in a post somewhere on this sight. They had all sorts of pro tools, they probably could get you that 19 mil allen wrench. What about Phil at fast lane? I'd try him first.

Here in NJ it gets pretty cold at times, I very rarely plug them in at night, and mine aren't garaged either.

Both my washers always worked, but I would try a pin in the jet where the fluid shoots out, assuming that you hear the washer motor trying to pump. Maybe lock your lips onto the jet and try to blowing back to the tank, sounds crazy, but I'd try it before I'd start taking things apart.

As far as I know, they all blow when running with the oil cap off. I showed an ind MB mechanic on my first one, he said it was normal. So as long as the car starts and runs fine, I don't worry about it.

**FYI, I read here that someone had the dealer invoice from when their wagon was new, the third row seat was like a $1,500 option, incredible or what???

~George~

#29 11-23-2001, 02:24 PM

You are gonna love this car! I bought my '84 on ebay, got it for $1025.00. Then again it had 349k on the clock too. I rented a car (economy) to go to Mass. to pick it up and when i got to the airport to get my rental they were all out of the economy cars. I had to drive a Mustang from Michigan to Mass. Was I ever glad to get into the Benz for the return trip. I decided that the Canadian highways aren't so rough coming home. They sure were on the way East! I'd definately rather drive an '84 TD that is 16 years old than a brand new Mustang! Not to mention fuel economy. I also learned a lesson about Customs agents...they are too impatient when you are trying to dig out all the paperwork that proves you DO IN FACT own the car you just purchased! ( I guess what roused their curiosity was when they asked me how long I was in Canada and I told them just long enough to drive through?) Tom

can-do · #30 11-23-2001, 09:40 PM

Greetings George and Fryer,

I think you probably got a fair deal Fryer if the car is in any type of condition. Mine as I said came out of Calif. I bought it from an email buddy of mine for $1500 with 156,000 on the clock when I got it and everything seemed to work except the a/c. I have changed somethings since I have owned it including replacing the a/c and probably have put all together $600 in the car to make it what I want. I wish I had your third seat George. Doubt if I'd ever use it, but it's an option few have and probably most desireable when selling.
George, I figured most diesels had some blowby, although alot of owners claim zero oil consumption and no blowby at all. I'd say they don't recognize blowby and they're checking their oil on a down grade consistantly. As far as the washer goes, the pump works, but I think it sucked up garbage in the line from a previous owner and was never cleaned out. Now trying to get the line off the squirter end to blow it back out is next to impossible, no access area to work in, unless the squirter comes out.
Just wondering if your non-turbo seems like a dog on an uphill grade? I have a huge grade to climb going home from work, wish I knew the degree of incline but it's steep, and I try to hit it doing at least 65mph so by the time I top this 1/4 mile hill I'm just doing over 45mph. Does a 20mph loss in speed seem like too much?

Charles

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