300TD Buyers Checklist? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Giant_Enemy_Ant · #1 08-25-2014, 05:10 PM

Hey guys,

Been an 240d (4 speed/290k miles) owner for some time, but now i am in the market for a 300td (+-140k) wagon.

im looking for some sort of checklist to inspect those beautiful wagons.

so far i am well familiar with the engine, but not with the auto trans, the wagons suspension and other features unique to the wagon ...

so could anyone tell me what should i been looking at while inspecting a 300TD?

Thanks

jay_bob · #2 08-25-2014, 05:35 PM

Are you interested in the 123 or 124 version?

Giant_Enemy_Ant · #3 08-25-2014, 05:43 PM

w123

jay_bob · #4 08-25-2014, 06:03 PM

I have more experience with the 124 wagons than the 123s but I can offer the following tips on 123s in general. I have a 124 wagon currently, and used to own a 123 sedan.

There are several excellent posts on this site and others regarding how to do a pre purchase inspection on a 123. Another great thing to do is link the ads you are interested in here (eBay or Craigslist) and let us have a look. There is a lot of experience here that can spot problems in the photos. I wish I had done that when I bought my first 123 as green as could be on Mercedes.

- Check for rust. The problem with any 123 is that they used non-galvanized steel coated with tar (or paint) for corrosion protection. Works great until the coating is breached. The rust is not always visible from the outside. You end up with a rust and tar sandwich especially in the structurally vital floor pan areas. Remember this is a unibody so any structural rust is cause for concern. 124s went to galvanized steel, you don't see nearly as many rusty 124s as 123s.

- The OM617 engine is a great engine but not "bullet proof" as some claim. It does require maintenance. It is best to have good documentation from the seller on what was actually done to the engine. Compression test is the gold standard but there are several shade tree tests that can be done to evaluate the engine's health.

- On wagons, the self leveling system uses a hydraulic pump. On 123s this pump is attached to the head and runs off the cam gear. Bear in mind that the head for a wagon is not like the head on a sedan and is much more rare. So if you end up needing to replace the head, regular 617s are pretty plentiful still but 617 wagon heads are rare. (Note that 124 wagons changed to a special power steering pump with dual circuits so sedans and wagons have the exact same engine.)

Some late 123s have driver air bag. All 124s have at least a driver air bag and a passenger air bag can be retrofitted in place of the glove box.

-- Not trying to talk you out of the 123, just giving some differences between the two generations. --

And the best nugget is "there is no such thing as a cheap Mercedes".

Good luck with the search!

Giant_Enemy_Ant · #5 08-25-2014, 06:13 PM

great tips!

how do you go about testing if the SLS suspension is working or have issues?

toomany MBZ · #6 08-25-2014, 08:08 PM

SLS.

Does the car sit level?

If tit squats in back, there's a problem.

If it squats, does it "sit up" in back when started?

Still a problem, but not as bad.

charmalu · #7 08-25-2014, 08:12 PM

Here are some SLS links.

Self Leveling Suspension = SLS hydro pneumatic

Charlie

winmutt · #8 08-25-2014, 09:54 PM

I've had 2 x w123 wagons, 3 x w123 sedans, 2 w124 sedans and 1 w124 wagon. As much as I love the style and grace of the 123, I will never go back. Mostly because of the noise factor and multilink rear. Parts for the W123's are harder to get and when MBUSA gets a new run of NLA items, they run out quickly at exorbanant rates. That said I truly miss the manual sunroof in the w123 wagon.

chasinthesun · #9 08-26-2014, 12:18 PM

I was seperated from my last wagon for $2600 . ,I would not sell again If I found the right one .About shocks ,The rear hatch has a small hydraulic shock that will tend to lose its muscle if orig. ask if theyve replaced it with an oem one.We all agree if you find a good one ask if theyve ever had to replace the rear hydraulic shock absorber and possible other parts.As an owner of 2 different wagons,1 turbo ,1 non turbo , I was extra carefull about the fluid level of the Hydraulic reservior for the rear shocks,if it goes done dry you could lose the hydraulic pump ,then damage the engine. Go for the turbo model ,it will move just as well as the sedan models.

uberwasser · #10 08-26-2014, 12:26 PM

Here is an inspection guide I wrote for general W123 diesel inspection. It uses a non-turbo sedan, some items will be different, but it should still help when shopping.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mercedes+W123+Diesel+Pre-Purchase+Inspection/21003

The only system that is completely different on the wagon is the SLS and you're getting some good advice on that already. Otherwise, the primary differences are just body parts, interior parts, glass and seals, stuff like that.

The 1981 model year wagon has some differences from the rest to be aware of. It was the first turbo W123 and it got some single model year parts before Mercedes figured everything out for the 1982 model year when all W123's got the turbo engine. For example, it uses an electronic speedometer borrowed from another chassis (W126?). All other W123's used the same mechanical speedo setup as your 240D. Many 1981 300TD's also were not equipped with a tachometer.

jake12tech · #11 08-26-2014, 12:42 PM

I honestly recommend looking in to the W124 wagons. 1987 was the only year that the US received a diesel wagon, so it might be a little harder to find one than the mass imported W123 TD. Albeit, well worth it as far as technology and parts are easier to locate. Few W123s I find are in yards anymore, and I do believe things are going to begin to get scarce.

Giant_Enemy_Ant · #12 08-26-2014, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by uberwasser

Here is an inspection guide I wrote for general W123 diesel inspection. It uses a non-turbo sedan, some items will be different, but it should still help when shopping.

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Mercedes+W123+Diesel+Pre-Purchase+Inspection/21003

The only system that is completely different on the wagon is the SLS and you're getting some good advice on that already. Otherwise, the primary differences are just body parts, interior parts, glass and seals, stuff like that.

The 1981 model year wagon has some differences from the rest to be aware of. It was the first turbo W123 and it got some single model year parts before Mercedes figured everything out for the 1982 model year when all W123's got the turbo engine. For example, it uses an electronic speedometer borrowed from another chassis (W126?). All other W123's used the same mechanical speedo setup as your 240D. Many 1981 300TD's also were not equipped with a tachometer.

this is it! thanks a million!

if i cant find a good wagon ill go for a 300d w123 turbo sedan.

thanks so much for that link