braverichard

Hi everyone,

I am new here and, even though I've loved MB for years and I know everything about all post 1999 MBs, I am relatively ignorant when it comes to the classic Benzes. I have recently fallen in love with the W126 chassis after reading on several forums (including this one) that many MB enthusiasts consider it to be the best Benz chassis ever produced and that the diesel engines (the I-5 in particular) never seem to die.

So, I just came across a 1984 300SD for sale. It is in excellent shape, with just 145,xxx miles and runs very well. I was just wondering, what should I be aware of when purchasing this vehicle? Will it cost me lots of money to keep up? I intend to use it as my daily driver and put about 14,000 miles on it per year.

After reading the posts here, I've already learned that the vacuum system seems to give issues resulting in problems with the power locks, the central locking system and the engine shut off. I've also read about A/C nighmares. Are these all expensive repairs? What else should I be expecting? I really don't want to get myself into something that will just use up all my money.

Please advise. Furthermore, does anyone even have some performance figures for this beast? Like 0-60 times, etc. Seems slow. During my test drive I was able to drive it in the city with traffic with the accelerator pushed down all the way to the floor! Maybe I should just put a bigger turbo on it... LOL

Thanks,
Richard

vwbuge

This forum kind of lags when it comes to the diesels. You're biggest concern should be service records. Was the tranny fluid changed? Was the oil changed regularly? What about valve adjustments? Ball joints?
I bought my '85 with 230,000 miles on it and it had unbelieveable records. Serviced by a southern CA dealer up until 130,000 miles. Then private records after that. I never had vacuum issues with my car. That is pretty low mileage for a 617. It will not put you in the poor house owning this car.

vwbuge

Sorry. Try this forum.
http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforu...?s=&forumid=15

Paco

116hp @ 4350rpm
170ft. lbs @ 2400rpm

hp is my estimate of what MB would have put in the manual, due to the fact that there is a typo in the Service Manual Library (put torque instead of hp).

MB diesels LOVE to be driven hard, so do it daily and it will love you for it (less repairs!).

w123_w126

This would be the least expensive of the w126s to operate. The OM 617 engine is indestructible. Change the oil every 3 months and adjust the valves every 15,000 miles and you’ll have no problems. Replace the tranny fluid and filter every 24,000 miles with an adjustment. If there’s no rust, if the brakes system, exhaust system, and front end are sound you’ll have no problems. The w126 chassis is very strong. Good luck.

braverichard

Thank you all for your replies. I truly appreciate them.

I talked to my friend who is a mechanic (not on MBs though, but a car is still a car) and he was wondering why it would need a valve adjustment every 15,000 miles. He said valve adjustments are only necessary for much older cars. So at this point, I too am wondering why you all keep mentioning the valve adjustments.

I have decided to purchase the car anyway. It feels like a big cadillac when you're driving it LOL

Richard