Considering a 80 300TD
12-04-2006, 01:11 PM
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Considering a 80 300TD
I'm looking at a 1980 300TD with 78,000 miles on it, one owner. Since I've never owned a MB or a diesel I was hoping to get some advice.
First, the car I'm looking at has some rust on the bottom of the quarter panels, around the jack points and around a couple of wheel wells. For this area (Central New York) that's not a lot of rust but are there other critical areas I should be looking at?
Second, how well do these drive in snow? I would put snow tires on all four wheels but we get alot of snow and I'm interested in using this as an everyday car.
Third, are parts still relatively easy to find?
Any other first time buyers advice?
Thanks for your help in advance.
First, the car I'm looking at has some rust on the bottom of the quarter panels, around the jack points and around a couple of wheel wells. For this area (Central New York) that's not a lot of rust but are there other critical areas I should be looking at?
Second, how well do these drive in snow? I would put snow tires on all four wheels but we get alot of snow and I'm interested in using this as an everyday car.
Third, are parts still relatively easy to find?
Any other first time buyers advice?
Thanks for your help in advance.
12-04-2006, 05:47 PM
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I'm looking at a 1980 300TD with 78,000 miles on it, one owner. Since I've never owned a MB or a diesel I was hoping to get some advice.
First, the car I'm looking at has some rust on the bottom of the quarter panels, around the jack points and around a couple of wheel wells. For this area (Central New York) that's not a lot of rust but are there other critical areas I should be looking at?
Second, how well do these drive in snow? I would put snow tires on all four wheels but we get alot of snow and I'm interested in using this as an everyday car.
Third, are parts still relatively easy to find?
Any other first time buyers advice?
Thanks for your help in advance.
First, the car I'm looking at has some rust on the bottom of the quarter panels, around the jack points and around a couple of wheel wells. For this area (Central New York) that's not a lot of rust but are there other critical areas I should be looking at?
Second, how well do these drive in snow? I would put snow tires on all four wheels but we get alot of snow and I'm interested in using this as an everyday car.
Third, are parts still relatively easy to find?
Any other first time buyers advice?
Thanks for your help in advance.
Also the climate servo is a big PITA, hard to find (every car in the pullapart will find these are the first parts to go) and will cost about $300 rebuilt. Make sure the heating works atleast.
And last but not least these are a bit of a dog getting on the highway unless the ramp is tilting downand arent well suited for 75+mph as the gearing is so high (55mph). Off the line you will beat pretty much anything until about 25mph.
Other than that they are tanks. Try to get one with third row seats (spec if you have kids, THEY LOVE to ride in there). Speaking of seats check the quality/comfort. This year had horse hair seats and that disintegrates pretty fast. Also if the ODO is ending in 9 or the trip meter is ending in 9 chances are its lying to you.
Whats asking rate?
12-05-2006, 11:38 AM
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No clue on snow/ice. Down here we don't get much of that.
12-05-2006, 03:40 PM
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'84 300CD, '82 300SD, '74 TR6, '99 Land Rover Discovery
300td
They are great cars and get around fine in the snow - remember that in Germany they use the diesel sedans for taxi cabs - German winters are probably a bit worse than most places in the US. 78K sounds very low - we have an 84 300 CD and an 82 300SD both with over 200K on them and both run just fine. The 80 is not a turbo diesel and that is the one thing I would be concerned with - the non-turbos lack the power that the 81's and later have.
12-31-2006, 06:45 PM
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2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
The clock has gone around twice at least
They are great cars and get around fine in the snow - remember that in Germany they use the diesel sedans for taxi cabs - German winters are probably a bit worse than most places in the US. 78K sounds very low - we have an 84 300 CD and an 82 300SD both with over 200K on them and both run just fine. The 80 is not a turbo diesel and that is the one thing I would be concerned with - the non-turbos lack the power that the 81's and later have.
Happy New Year guys.
