I am looking at a couple of Mercedes. They are all under 2 grand. Just wondering about these vehicles. One says it need a battery but it runs and the paint on the hood is peeling with a bit of rust under the doors. Another said they bought it and are moving out of state and want to get rid of it. They say it start, but runs rough until you give it some gas and it smokes slightly. They prices range from 900 to 2000. What kind of diesel mileage, tune ups (valve adjustments, timing belt[?], etc). One has new rotors all around, some rust, and is the one I mentioned about the rough idle. Need rear shocks.

On another note, how easy are these to "tune up"?? You guys know what I am talking about.

jon

 

diesel Jon - you're not too far from my area -- a little more "central" in Illinois, think around Peoria and you're not far off...

Try this forum page: http://www.mercedesforum.com/forumid_211/tt.htm

As for the two in question - the 240D has some hope of being a manual, if so, it could almost get out of it's own way...but not likely. Seriously, accelleration isn't up to modern car standards at all, and with no turbo, it would take lot$$$ of work to get it there.

The 300D is likely a better choice, with it's 5-cylinder Turbo diesel, even though all of these are automatics. There were lots of them, so parts are readily avalible, and the engines (with a few years' exceptions) are fairly bulletproof. You could build up this car, but it won't be inexpensive to do. Mileage won't be drastically better than, say, a gas 4-cylinder Accord, which is much more reliable and easier to work on.

Now - I have to ask, are you really prepared for older European-car ownership? It's sort of like a disease, really, that one should be aware of before one treads too deeply into it's grip. Do you think money floats out of your wallet with a Cummins quickly....well, you've not seen 'nothin' yet! You should really be aware that electrical system, cooling system, body & chassis rust issues, as well as the dreaded 'external lubrication system" that so often exists within these cars is incurable. Sadly - they also can get under your skin, leaving you broke, standed, yet oddly smiling about your "prized" ride that has once again left you down and out...but you still love it....

Does it sound like I've been there....?

I do miss my old Saab, BMW's (2) and Volvo...but I don't miss my wallet being drained so rapidly....

 

Wellllll, they are in Chicago and St Louis area. They both run according to owners. Whats the mileage? The reason is I would like an older diesel to experiment WVO in without ruining my truck. Also it would be easier on my wallet (that is what I WAS thinkin, then you threw a wrench) in fuel mileage. I have counted 7 mercedes (4 300D, 3 240D) for under 2 grand and a couple for under 1 grand. So from what I gather, it is gonna be a good vehicle but could be more in repairs than what its worth, am I right?

Thanks for the info! I appreciate it!

Jon

 

Many years ago I had a 240TD and a 300TD. The 240 was non turbo and was slow as hell. The 300TD was turboed and wasn't too bad. I never turned it up and don't know how to. I would imagine that you could fool the wastegate and that might help some. The 300TD got 28mpg all day long.

Dean

 

As stated earlier the 240 is slow. But on the highway they are not bad. It's mainly acceleration that is the problem. And they are very reliable and long lived.

The 300 is probably a turbo but you did not say the year and the turbo was an option until about 1980 or 1981. With the turbo they run real well and are very reliable. Those cars will keep on running till the body, interior and everything else is completely shot. Many with 300K, 400K, or whatever miles just keep going and going. I've seen some that were comically old and beat up but still going. Between the two I like the 300 with the turbo the best. That 5 cylinder engine just makes a lot of sense and pulls real nice on the highway.

They are overhead cam engines with chain drive. Kind of a mixed blessing I think. It is low maintenance but can self destruct at high mileage. I've heard there are subtle warnings for those with a good ear. A little noise and a worn out tensioner. If they have 200K or more I'd do the chain. Then just run the heck out of it as they like to rev.

They are perfect candidates for different fuels. I ran a lot of waste oil in mine, it was old and I ran it hard. No problems with the engine. In fact I think they are one of the all time great cars and engines.

Now they are becomming a cult car. Everything can be worked on but it takes a while to figure out the German engineering. Then you'll begin to see things that show real sensible engineering. They are becomming very old fashioned though.

They are a bit smoky and if driven reasonably will average about 27 to 30 MPG.

Wetspirit

 

Just got my new Diesel Power today and there is an article about these same cars that someone else has coverted to WVO One is a turbo and other non-turbo that a cab company in California runs.

 

Hey don't let me discourage you from experamenting....

If you have some funds and want to piddle around a bit, grab an 82 - 85 300D, read up on this and other sites and give it a go. There are a few other models out there from other manufacturers, but sticking with Benz is probably the safest route. At least they tend to still support even the older models from a parts & maintance standpoint - but at a price.

I guess the biggest thing is to remmeber that these can really be love/hate cars, overall. Sometimes all within a week...the Germans just do things differantly, some of which make just tons of sense, some of which I still can't figure out. One great example - on older Benzes there are small levers or tabs on the hood springs, after these are moved, the hood can be folded back past 90* for servicing! Why can't the Americans figure out things like that...? The Sweads also share this philiosophy as my Saab & Volvo both had (many) quirks.


Good luck with your decision...as you're starting to do, keep on reading up and keep a small stockpile of funds avaliable and you'll be fine.

 

run don't walk from the one from chicago,rust is THEE major issue with the older benz's.check around the jack holes under the doors,if theres rust there its only gonna get worse the farther under ya go.the mercedes are thee best cars for the wvo conversion,the inj pumps will pump pretty much anything you can throw at em.but as mentioned they can cost big bucks to repair stuff neglected thru the years,front ends,rear suspension,heater core,timing chain and guides.but when everything is right they are a sweet ride.

 

I have a 81 MB 240D with unknown miles, smokes when it idles, has rust, paints faded and gets 27 Mpg.

its my daily driver.

 

I was thinking of getting one and my friend had one and they drive rally nice due to their weight

 

They don't just drive nice due to their weight. They have excelent suspension and brakes. This is not some cheap econo car, It's German engineering. Safety, handling, and prepared to run on the Autobaun. It's the real deal.

Wetspirit

 

I've owned 3 different 5 cylinder 300 turbos. fantastic engine. Like someone else said, the engine will still be good when everlything else is worn out. cam chain no big deal if you are least bit mech. inclined, they let you know by being loose. All I ever did was filters and adj valves, and 2 water pumps. Don't bother with the 240 it will hardly get out of its own way.

 

I picked up a 1983 300D with 305,000 miles on it. Changed the filters, runs like a top and gets 30mpg on the last check. Heard somewhere that the W123 chassis is in the guiness book of world records as the most reliable car ever built, that's just a rumor though.