What do you guys think about a 1991 MB 300D 2.5 Turbo diesel? There is one for sale here locally for about $3000. It has 200,700 miles on it.

Are these good cars?

Any known issues?

__________________
1985 Mercedes 300DT

Rust free?
That is a good diy'er car that gets great fuel mileage. If it runs out and drives good start out by offering $2500.

__________________
Jim

There are couple of little specks of rust around the antenna but it is in great shape for its age. And the interior is excellent.

I already offered $2500 and the old man said he wouldn't take .50 cents less than $2900.

Any know issues with these cars?

__________________
1985 Mercedes 300DT

I have a 1991. They're great cars, no real known issues, but they do need maintenence, and things do wear out, as with any car.

Just ask what maintenence and repairs have been done, so you know where the car stands. See if the shut off valve has ever been replaced, glow plugs, O-rings for the injectors. If not, they're ready to go. You can do all that work for $200 if you do it yourself.

If you get the car, you should have all the brake fluid, and power steering fluid taken out and replaced. The steering pumps leak after a while, the rubber doesn't do a good job of sealing anymore. If it's leaking just a little, you can get Prestone's fluid with sort of a leak stop in it (but not that crummy leak stop), and it's really good.

See if the shocks have been replaced.

But, you can't beat the guy up to say all this should be done, I mean, if it hasn't needed it yet, there'd been no reason for him to have repaired it. But those are things that eventually need to be replaced.

jeff 1991 300d, 157k

I see you have a 1982. The newer series that started in 1988 (or was that 1987?), which are the W124's, are more refined than your 1982. More parts, more sophisticated, nicer cars, also 10 years newer than what you have.

I love my 1982 diesel but of course over the 5+ years of owning it it has required a little tinkering here and there.

I'm thinking about upgrading so I'm doing a little research. Plus I am going to convert it to SVO.

__________________
1985 Mercedes 300DT

Waste gate swap, eliminates the computer controlled vacuum waste gate ensure boost works.
Wastegate actuator swap for OM602.962?
Vac pump ever changed out?
OM602 Vacuum Pump Slight Oil Leak.....

These diesel W124 are great vehicles. Those issues I mention are relatively inexpensive fixes and are easy for a DIYer.
Maintenance records available? A/C works? Color of coolant? The other issue is they sometimes develop a head-gasket leak by # 1 cylinder. Otherwise very nice.

Take it for a test drive. Boost working 0-60 mph should be about 12-14 seconds. If you're closer to 18 or more no boost. (Rough estimate but you get the idea.) Someone more knowledgeable will chime in with more exact numbers I'm sure. LOL

__________________
92 300D 2.5L OM602 OBK #59

Let us know how it drives out. I would not have an issue paying $2900 for the car if the interior is in as good a shape as you said.

__________________
Jim