Hello from Tampa, FL
Just purchased a 1983 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbo Diesel. I've had 2 other Mercedes Benz Turbo Diesels. 1984 300SD was my 1st that I sold for a nice little profit. Followed by a 1980 300SD, which I still have but the body is rusted pretty bad. Still fires right up though. I badly neglected it after life threw several back to back curve ***** at me. On the rebound I decided to purchase yet another MB Diesel. I just bought the 300D on Saturday 9/1/18. It is in the nicest over all condition of all 3 that I've owned. No Rust to be found.. yet. And I've checked all of the rust prone areas. Speedometer reads 284,482 miles but doesn't work. Tachometer is intermittent, but doesn't work most times. Big rip in the drivers seat. Dash is in very good shape. No to very little blow by when checking the oil filler with the car running. Sun roof works, but very slowly. Transmission fluid is pink. No excessive smoke from the exhaust. Previous owner had it for 8 years and said it was well maintained at the local German Auto service shop, but when I asked about the last time the valves were adjusted she said she never touched the valves. So I'm assuming they've never been touched. She said the oil was changed in January of this year (Yikes!) but she said she's only put 500 miles on it since then. It starts right up. Just getting back into the swing of owning a MB Turbo diesel. Going to start with an oil change. Ordered a valve cover gasket, still have my bent wrenches from my 1st 300SD to adjust the valves. Going to perform a diesel purge. Oh the AC doesn't work, but the lady said it used to before she had the belts replaced. All of the belts were replaced btw. I know I should have the engine compression checked before dumping too much money into the car, but like my previous MB Diesels she drives like a dream. Oh.. Cruise control doesn't work either. Lots of litle things that need attention. Going to replace the Sunroof seals and new grease.. inspect the motor gears. Eventually would like to repair the drivers seat, but 1st things 1st.. New car stereo.. This Sunday having Best Buy Geek Squad install a Kenwood Media player single Din.. That's all for now. I recall how much I really enjoyed tinkering with these vehicles so I will be lurking the forums and chiming in here and there. I'm definitely the subject matter expert on these old cars so I'll be searching, reading and asking questions.
Thanks everyone.. Oh, I''m from Pittsburgh, PA hence the name and lack of imagination on user names, but been in the Tampa Bay area for over 12 years now.