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Diesel Mercedes

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waltesefalcon

waltesefalcon

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I am considering dropping the car payment and acquiring a mid 60s-mid 80s diesel Mercedes. We owned a couple when I was growing up and I remember them as being very well built, utilitarian, and economical cars. If anyone is familiar with them, is there anything of particular worry I need to keep an eye for with these? I know that rust is an issue on the unibody Mercedes of the period I'm looking at. Thanks in advance.
 
You already know to look for rust (floor pans, sills, around windscreen and rear windows, etc.) - but a major rust danger on those bodies was the area where the suspension joins the chassis.

DSC05209.jpg


A very popular early 1980s model: the 300D (W123), turbo diesel sedan or wagon. That engine would last forever if cared for.

View attachment 41341

Also, consider posting in the MBCA forum:

https://www.mbca.org/forum/2013-12-11/what-best-years-300td

Tom M.
 
Yeah, I'd definitely want to get it one up on a life before I put any money down on it. Thanks to the link for the forum Tom, I'll have to check that out later.
 
Good point Steve, I'll send Doc a message.
 
I owned a '70 220D with a four speed for about a year. Bought cheaply with a parts car. Was my daily driver during that time. I even auto-x'd it! Mine was quite reliable but it became tough to start when cold.

They handle amazingly well (the W115 anyway) for a big car. The interior is a nice place to send time. Massive trunk. Parts are very available but not always cheap.

But ... gosh do they like to rust even in dry climates. I cut all the rust out of mine and replaced the sheet metal when I got it. All sorts of new rust appeared in other spots within six months. And I kept mine in the garage too.
 
Walter,

There's a couple of them - '80 300D,'82 300D among the 18 cars
that i posted earlier.The '82 is in nice shape.They're for sale.

- Doug
 
Doug,

How much and where at? Is either a standard?
 
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