Thanks to all of you, I will post as soon as I have driven it, in case
any of you are interested. I may bring my camera, so I can document it
to look at while I decide.

Trader4 - I took your advice and did an Ebay search, for the 81-85
diesels, (I prefer the idea of the older models for the Solid Iron
block), and found that all of the less expensive ones were rusting
out, or had at a minimum 180,000+ miles on them. I understand that
time takes it toll, but I don't think as badly as miles. All the ones
that I saw that were in comparable condition were being asked at near
or greater than the price of this one.

Anyway, I'll get back on here when I know more.
Thanks again!
P~

Hi everyone, I checked and drove the car this weekend.
The short story is that I am not going to get it after all.

The longer version is this.
The vehicle is immaculate. There is no doubt to me whether everything
on the car is original, and yes the odometer works. Every switch and
light and toggle in the cab works with the only detraction being on
the sun shades. The little plastic covers that go over the mirrors are
broken, but are still with the car. the rear passenger lights and
cigarette lighters work. The sunroof is tight and seals are in very
good condition. No tears in the power seats, which also work
perfectly. The engine makes no more noise than a typical diesel, and
has good power.

So why am I passing on this vehicle?
Well the only defect I did find is in the front suspension / axel. I'm
not sure what the root of the problem is, but I suspect it to be
either bad bal joints / tie rod ends, or a wheel bearing going bad.
When I step firmy on the very sensitive brakes, the front end gets a
major case of the shakes. Also when turning out of a steep driveway
onto a flat road I got a big creak and thud from the passenger side.
Neither of these is noticable while driving regularly. I wouldn't mind
taking this project on at all if I were looking for a vehicle just for
Sunday driving or collecting. But since I'm looking for a car for my
wife, hers was the biggest input into it. While driving it she said
she got the "VW flashbacks" with all of the mechanical controls
general feel. I think both of us are a bit jaded and don't want to end
up haveing to always have to repair something.

So that's the long and the short of it.
If anyone's in the Salt Lake City area and looking for a really really
clean MB 300D let me know and I'll get you the contact info. He is
willing to negotiate, and is a very friendly guy.

Again, Thanks for all of the great advice!
P~

so let me get this straight. You were hoping to find a really cheap
luxury car that is 25 years old in great condition... don't we all :-)

cheers, guenter

That suspension problem is typical and common to that age. The problem is
caused by two pair of parts... One is the thrust arm bushings... which is a
rod that goes back to subframe... that bushing on that subframe is worn
out... that is the thudding sound when you step on brake and steep driveway
thing. The thing about this is that they usually wear out at about 130,000
miles... not 90 unless it is all city driving.

The other is front brake rotors are warped causing the shakes. Easy fix.
Another sign of city driviing only.

One other possibility is thumping noise when you go over railroad track or
pothole... that would be upper control arms... The ball joint on this wear
out and you just replace whole arm. This also affects the steering too...
and from the sound of what you said... it is also probably majority city
driving.

I would say even with these mileage, you are looking at possibly replacing
water pump soon... might as well do all 4 brakes, entire steering (not that
much money), and what not due to age... is probably not worth the money they
asked... Will probably be money pit to you as us all who doesn't have
unlimited capital.

All in the end, the price is too high with these problems... and being a
city driven car, I would say it is okay on engine... but hard on other parts
as indicated above. Keep looking and look for the right car. Don't be afraid
of high mileage... even with high mileage, chances are alot of common wear
items has been replaced.

Yeah, that's how this car is! it has the original Deimler-Benz
signiture sticker on the lower passenger side, everything in it's
place!
I have a 87 Toyota Camry with nearly 200k on it that I love, it is a
great commuter car, but I can't stop thinking that this Benz is a
really beautiful car.

Oh the conflict &@!*#!
P~

..... no matter what you buy, there will be an element of a gamble. bottom
line 'to me' would be is the seller believable. Does he/she come across as
trustworthy... do all his reasons for selling add up, etc. If yes, I'd go
for it. Those are great cars... I sold similar to a cabbie at 250k km who
turned around and put another similar milage on motor.... floors were rusted
out though... make absolutely sure there is no rust.... all else is fixable
for reasonable time'money

cheers, guenteer


In article <1173294157.982984.223790 (AT) j27g2000cwj (DOT) googlegroups.com>,
<pgmyspace (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote:

I swear the top of this thread could say nothing but "overpriced",
"too much" and about all the possible problems, Now that I decided to
not get it, mind you not solely based on this groups input, but now I
feel like I may have passed on a great car!? You know if I wasn't
already bald I'd pull my hair out...
LOL

P~

If your wife like this 300SD - we already know that you do - talk to the
seller and offer to split the cost of a professional inspection of the
front end - ball joints, tie rods, control arm bushings brake rotors
wheel bearings, stabilizer bar bushings etc to factually know what's
what. THEN, you'll KNOW whether to buy or not and with no regrets either
way.
But remember, SHE has to like it or there's no point to the exercise.
--
© 2007 T.G.Lambach. Publication in any form requires prior written
permission.

On Mar 7, 3:40 pm, "-->> T.G. Lambach <<--" <"T.G. Lambach at
NoHamorSpamcomcast.net"> wrote:

Interesting idea, if you can get the seller to agree to it. For the
seller, it's a bad idea to pay for and get involved in an inspection.
As the car is, the seller can say that it's been maintained and is in
excellent condition. That's accepted as reasonable, because the
owner is not a mechanic or expert. Once you have an inspection done,
you now have direct knowledge of everything that's wrong with it.
And if you don't tell a buyer all that's found wrong with it, you have
both an ethical and potential legal problem.

On Mar 7, 1:40 pm, "-->> T.G. Lambach <<--" <"T.G. Lambach at
NoHamorSpamcomcast.net"> wrote:
T.G. - That's exactly the issue, She didn't care for the car. It gave
her a case of the "old car chills". That is to say, she got a reality
check feeling while driving it, that there could be maintenance issue
with it, especially if it became an everyday driver. She also didn't
care for the way the car felt to here. That's the main reason for
turning it down. I have just been thinking where or not I would like
to sell off my Toyota and get this one as my 10 mile a day commuter
car to work. I am very interested in the possibilities of alt. fuels,
and would love to be able to brew up some bio-diesel and basically cut
my fuel usage to almost nothing.
in case anyone's interested I Blog at http://apaetoday.blogspot.com
It's new and I'd love to share it with you!
Have a good one.
P~