300 sd mb early 1980's problems

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You smiled, you spoke, and I believed - 07 Nov 2005 22:20 GMT

I have been looking for a 300sd md, and I found one. Here is a list of
the problems I observed.

1.    Mechanic said possible needed gp relay or gps
    it started, weather was warm about 70 deg F.

    The gp light did not come on.

2.    engine idled ok, no nailing observed.

3.    transmission shift kinda hard from 2nd to 3rd, 3rd to 4th ok

    after drive, checked transmission fluid, it was low, but was on dip stick

4.    right turn signal did not work

5.    odometer did not work, miles at 266,000

6.    windows rolled up and down

7.    front seat adjusted using electrical controls

8.    leather cracked on drive seat

9.    sun roof was closed and did not operate w control

10.    shimmy in front end about 70 mph

11.    cruise control did not appear to work

12.    temperature control
    ac did not work
    could not tell if heater worked (this could be more important)

some of this work I can do, ie gp relay, replace gps

I have heard that the temp control system is hard to work on.

I made an offer of $700, but it was turned down.

any advice?

Previous owner said he had owned it since 1990.

j.

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T.G. Lambach - 07 Nov 2005 23:01 GMT

You must have owned a M-B diesel to see this neglected car for what it
is - a financial and time drain. But up to say, $1,000, its scrap value
would offset much of its purchase price.

The fact that the engine started speaks well of the engine, especially
if it was cold, not having been run.

The shimmy at 70 mph could be an unbalanced tire or worn tie rod end or
ball joint - more likely the unbalanced tire.

The heat is controlled by a "monovalve" that can be rebuilt with a kit.
The $$$ come in if the electronic control is shot.

Hard shifts result from vacuum leak(s) between the main line, vac.
control valve (on throttle) and trans. modulator.

The other items on your list are optional - depending your your standards.

Everything CAN be fixed if you WANT to fix it.

Turn signal could be the combination switch (stalk), wiring, etc.

Cruise controller can be rebuilt.

Leatherique will restore the leather seat.

Be happy the sun roof is stuck shut, not open.

If you want to spend some time and $$ this ugly duckling can be put
right - but if it has rust I suggest you look elsewhere.

There's no shortage of these cars and a few repairs will quickly raise
the cost of this rundown car to the $2K to $3K that a good car would
cost - and you wouldn't be out the time spent fixing this one.

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Gogarty - 08 Nov 2005 01:08 GMT

>There's no shortage of these cars and a few repairs will quickly raise
>the cost of this rundown car to the $2K to $3K that a good car would
>cost - and you wouldn't be out the time spent fixing this one.

How about $25 K?

1981 300SD "Der Klunker" ex-Pimpmobile

But Oh! What a wonderful car even as bits keep falling off it.

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