So I purchased a 1985 300D sight unseen - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skid Row Joe · #16 01-13-2015, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MongooseGA

I picked the car up from my brokerage tonight. She started up right away (after waiting for the plugs, of course) and settled at idle quickly. Very impressive for a car of this vintage and mileage.

She drives so much better than my dad's '87 300SDL. Are the engines the same in these two cars? Maybe he'd finally listen to me when I tell him his isn't 100%.

The car obviously has issues, but they're few and minor. The dome light doesn't work with the door or switch, there's a small oil leak toward the front of the engine, the transmission shifts a little hard under heavier acceleration (was told an adjustment of a screw/bolt under the hood would remedy), and most importantly the gas gauge isn't reliable. Any help on these would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks for the info. My buddy just put a new battery in the car for me yesterday, didn't mention anything about rust. I'll take a look tomorrow when I'm going through the engine bay.

So it seems. Owned by the same family since new. It was purchased new and driven 90k miles by the original owner, then sold to his son-in-law who drove it for the remaining 200k+. All in an area that very rarely gets any snow.

Will do, thanks.

Thank you!

I'll be sure to keep the nozzle at a safe distance from soft parts.

I see you're in central VA. I'm in Virginia Beach at the moment, but will be driving it home to Atlanta on Tuesday morning. After driving it briefly tonight, I'm somewhat convinced to keep this car around as a daily and keep the AMG for weekends/sunny days.

For curiosity's sake, what is a car like this, assuming no hidden surprises, worth on the resale market at the moment?

To properly evaluate that worth, it would have to be PPIed, before getting an accurate number on that. You might look up NADA or any number of aftermarket used car pricing websites for amplification on your Q.

MongooseGA · #17 01-14-2015, 01:03 AM

Thanks to all for your input.
I just made it home from my 9+ hour drive. The car did beautifully on the highway and returned about 25MPG from my math. Not too shabby considering I ran 75-85MPH the whole way with the HVAC on.

This car must have had some suspension components refreshed. It rides so nicely on the road, just soaks up the miles. HVAC was also working extremely well. I did pop a fuse to the radio when trying to plug in my car charger to the cigarette lighter, but I was able to borrow one from the 'rear seat heater' slot to make the rest of the drive tolerable. However, it seems my cigarette lighter doesn't want to work, or the accessory being plugged in must go in at precisely the angle/depth/alignment of stars.

Cruise control worked early in the trip, but after I swapped that fuse it did not any longer. I'll have to double check that the cruise wasn't tied into that fuse, but I don't think it was. Are the cruise control stalks (lever itself) known to be a problem on these cars?

Also noticed in the engine bay is a decal stating the AC has been converted to R134. This wasn't something mentioned to me before but is a nice surprise.

After my drive today, I think I will hang on to this car for a while. It'll be perfect for putting around town for work errands (real estate).

Skid Row Joe · #18 01-14-2015, 01:21 AM

The cruise control stalks are not known to be a problem on these cars.

Can you get the service records on this car? These might help you greatly in learning about parts and procedures performed on this car.

rscurtis · #19 01-14-2015, 10:46 AM

This wasn't something mentioned to me before but is a nice surprise.

Not really. In Atlanta, you're going to want to go back to R12. Requires a lot less power and is easier on the compressor.

MongooseGA · #20 01-14-2015, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rscurtis

This wasn't something mentioned to me before but is a nice surprise.

Not really. In Atlanta, you're going to want to go back to R12. Requires a lot less power and is easier on the compressor.

I see. Hopefully the brand new compressor will be able to handle it. I know it's become a pain to find affordable R12 around town, though.

biopete · #21 01-14-2015, 11:03 AM

I may retract my opinion that w123's are not the best cars ever

25 mpg at 70 - 75 is awesome for that car.

Firm shifting, if you can live with it is easier on the transmission I was told by a tranny guy. But if you want to soften it, it is a modulator valve on the right side of the transmission where the vacuum line connects. If it only does it when you are giving it a lot of throttle , I don't think it is a vacuum leak problem because when you give it throttle it takes the vacuum away from the transmission. The little modulator on the side of tranny just has a cap that pops off and you pull out the metal t thing and turn it a couple notches counter clockwise to soften the shifts. 722.3 and 722.416 series transmission adjustments

It is super easy to do with the car on ramps and you only need a flat head screwdriver for getting vac line and cap off. Maybe some pliers.

MongooseGA · #22 01-14-2015, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by biopete

I may retract my opinion that w123's are not the best cars ever

25 mpg at 70 - 75 is awesome for that car.

This may ruffle some feathers here, but here goes. I'd never have looked twice at this dated little car. But, after my cruise, I can easily see why some people swear by them and can be almost cult-like about them. It's a seriously well built machine.

crs82 · #23 01-14-2015, 12:32 PM

Where are you in Atlanta (generally speaking....I don't want your address)? I'm over in Powder Springs and I'm looking to trade my 300TE for a 300D. After I do, it would be nice to meet up with those of like mind in the Metro area.

MongooseGA · #24 01-14-2015, 12:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crs82

Where are you in Atlanta (generally speaking....I don't want your address)? I'm over in Powder Springs and I'm looking to trade my 300TE for a 300D. After I do, it would be nice to meet up with those of like mind in the Metro area.

I live south of ATL, but I work in Midtown. I'm all over the greater metro area during the day, odds are you might see this car chugging along at some point.

eatont9999 · #25 01-14-2015, 01:41 PM

Don't turn the modulator down too much or there won't be enough line pressure and the transmission will slip. You definitely don't want it slipping. You can test the pressure it is currently making by connecting an oil pressure gauge to the test port. There is a spec that it needs to be in. First, check all the vac connections and make sure they are not leaking. Check the door lock vac feed as the W123 uses the same vac suource and is a common leak point. Plug it if it cannot hold vac and proceed to testing the rest of the system without the door locks in play. The VCV also has a specification that needs to be in order and tested. The bowden cable can play a role in hard shifts because if the transmission shifts too late, the VCV will be open more and less vac to the trans is supplied (assuming the driver keeps depressing the accelerator). It will result in a late and hard shift. The bowden cable should not be loose or tight on the throttle linkage. Check it for breaks around the ends as it is common and will throw off the adjustment slightly. Hard shifts are much better for the transmission than soft, weak, shifts. Some find that high mileage transmissions need to have firmer shifts to compensate for internal wear as the clutches have lost material over the years.

crs82 · #26 01-14-2015, 01:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MongooseGA

I live south of ATL, but I work in Midtown. I'm all over the greater metro area during the day, odds are you might see this car chugging along at some point.

The color alone should make it easy to spot. Is that Manila Beige? The ubiquitous Mercedes diesel color.
For the record, I love that color.

MongooseGA · #27 01-14-2015, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crs82

The color alone should make it easy to spot. Is that Manila Beige? The ubiquitous Mercedes diesel color.
For the record, I love that color.

Not sure what the official name is. The tag on the key just said 'ivory'. I'm not incredibly fond of it, but I don't hate it either. I'd like it more if it was a little more white, a little less yellow.

Quahog · #28 01-14-2015, 08:28 PM

same color combo as my first rusty benz-I dig it

Skid Row Joe · #29 01-14-2015, 11:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MongooseGA

Not sure what the official name is. The tag on the key just said 'ivory'. I'm not incredibly fond of it, but I don't hate it either. I'd like it more if it was a little more white, a little less yellow.

That pale yellow isn't such a bad color. Not my favorite either, but it'll do.

Lycoming-8 · #30 01-15-2015, 12:18 AM

At leaast it is not a red, black, white or silver putty blob influenced by the japanese manufacturers lack of paint diversity !!!

Plus, it will serve nicely in the summer to reflect sun light and help keep the car a bit cooler.