I want to buy a 1980 300 SD

[Marinel]

Im looking into buying a 1980 300 SD with 155K miles on it. Can anybody here tell me a little bit more about these cars (as far as problems, recalls, performance etc.) and anything to look for before i buy it?

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[ohlord]

http://www.w116.org/
www.300sd.com/
How much,what condition?
Not great snow area cars,engines last forever if taken care of,classic ride quality if the parts have been maintained.better be ready to diy and learn about the d unless you have a indie shop capable of working on it,could get pricey if you don't do your own maint. and repairs
ohlord
don't pay more then 800-900 bucks your first part,pump,relay,glow plugs fuel filter fuel pump could total the cost of the car.

[cascade]

They are fine cars, but above all check carefully for rust throughout it, they can be prone to it, and water leaks (run it through a car wash) into the interior and trunk, and collision damage.

Drive it and check for slop in the steering and suspension. The jack, spare tire, and tool kit and first aid kit should be in place. Look at the books and records for an idea of how it has been kept.

Good ones are desirable but getting hard to find. They are very sturdy, spacious, comfortable and long lasting. get the best condition one you can find, even if it costs more.

[Marinel]

sorry for not replying sooner. I forgot about this thread. The seller wanted $2100 for the car and it recently got a new battery and new glow plugs. I drove it and i wasnt really happy with the performance (my previous car was a 99 Acura 3.2TL). I told the owner that i'll think about it and i'll call him back. Well like 3 hours after i looked at the car i was in an accident and my Acura was totalled.(wasnt my fault) I got insurance money and i bought my brothers 97 E320 with 95K miles.

oh yeah here is the ebay link of the car i looked at.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...ayphotohosting

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by Marinel

sorry for not replying sooner. I forgot about this thread. The seller wanted $2100 for the car and it recently got a new battery and new glow plugs. I drove it and i wasnt really happy with the performance (my previous car was a 99 Acura 3.2TL). I told the owner that i'll think about it and i'll call him back. Well like 3 hours after i looked at the car i was in an accident and my Acura was totalled.(wasnt my fault) I got insurance money and i bought my brothers 97 E320 with 95K miles.

oh yeah here is the ebay link of the car i looked at.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Merce...ayphotohosting

The best policy is to buy the best with whatever money is available to you. Buying a MB in poor condition is like trying to cure cancer without money.

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by cascade

They are fine cars, but above all check carefully for rust throughout it, they can be prone to it, and water leaks (run it through a car wash) into the interior and trunk, and collision damage.

Drive it and check for slop in the steering and suspension. The jack, spare tire, and tool kit and first aid kit should be in place. Look at the books and records for an idea of how it has been kept.

Good ones are desirable but getting hard to find. They are very sturdy, spacious, comfortable and long lasting. get the best condition one you can find, even if it costs more.

Do you own a 1980 300 SDL? A friend of mine has one with only 11,000 km on the clock but he is not selling. It was the first MB he bought for his wife. The car was kept outdoors for years and the hood paint has faded badly. I am not over impressed with the bodywork though. Generally it is not as well designed and built as the W126.

[Teutonic]

You're better off with a 1982 (W126) 300SD. The later generation S-Class diesel Benz are that bit more modern, safer, better mileage, and if we're honest, better looking. Trouble is that so many are worn to s#!T from people who drive them like abused pack mules. A good example could easily see you past 300K miles. Difficulty is that most on the market are already 299K miles or higher ;-)

[Raptelan]

Originally Posted by harkgar

Do you own a 1980 300 SDL? A friend of mine has one with only 11,000 km on the clock but he is not selling. It was the first MB he bought for his wife. The car was kept outdoors for years and the hood paint has faded badly. I am not over impressed with the bodywork though. Generally it is not as well designed and built as the W126.

No such thing as a 1980 300SDL, only the SD.

I personally strongly prefer the W116 chassis, think it looks better, etc. But to each their own. I think I generally prefer an older look, though not so much as to be impractical. The american headlights on the W126 are just horrendous, whereas I *prefer* the american headlight style on the W116.

What a shame to drive a car so little over so long, yet leave it sitting outside the whole time. I understand though - don't have a garage myself, though having a W116 makes me feel bad about it most days.

[jullie smith]

its so nice to visit here a nice thread. Am so impressed with your such a good hard work, its definitely a good and diferent idea for others, you guys are doing good work good luck, keep it up..

[hyperion667]

warning, sarcastic remark: just go in your backyard, dig a hole, start shredding one dollar bills into it....then add some fives......followed by some tens and twenty's.....

this will end with the same result.....



(jk)