Updating an '85 300SD
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Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Northern Virginia
Updating an '85 300SD
My sister has recently started a career as a real estate agent. I'd like to help her dress up her car a bit so that when she's driving clients around, they feel less like they are in a 20 year old car with 275k miles, and more like they are in a Mercedes.
I already know that I need to glue some of the wood back onto the dash. What other things will make a good difference? Are there seat covers in existance that don't look horrible? She has TEX now, and it is cracked in a couple of places.
A wash and wax is on the table, as well as washing the carpets.
What else should I do/look at? It's been a while since I've had an older Mercedes (I truely miss my '83 300D), so I'm open to suggestions.
Did this car have the vibration absorbing engine shock (that by now probably needs to be replaced)?
Tune up wise, are there steps that I can take in a weekend with this car? I'll be changing the fuel filters, and checking the belts/hoses. I don't think that I'll have enough time to adjust the valves, but I think that she had that done last summer. What else should I check for her?
Thanks,
Tad
I already know that I need to glue some of the wood back onto the dash. What other things will make a good difference? Are there seat covers in existance that don't look horrible? She has TEX now, and it is cracked in a couple of places.
A wash and wax is on the table, as well as washing the carpets.
What else should I do/look at? It's been a while since I've had an older Mercedes (I truely miss my '83 300D), so I'm open to suggestions.
Did this car have the vibration absorbing engine shock (that by now probably needs to be replaced)?
Tune up wise, are there steps that I can take in a weekend with this car? I'll be changing the fuel filters, and checking the belts/hoses. I don't think that I'll have enough time to adjust the valves, but I think that she had that done last summer. What else should I check for her?
Thanks,
Tad
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Joined: Dec 2003
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From: McLean, VA
S4
Re: Updating an '85 300SD
Originally posted by nazrat
My sister has recently started a career as a real estate agent. I'd like to help her dress up her car a bit so that when she's driving clients around, they feel less like they are in a 20 year old car with 275k miles, and more like they are in a Mercedes.
I already know that I need to glue some of the wood back onto the dash. What other things will make a good difference? Are there seat covers in existance that don't look horrible? She has TEX now, and it is cracked in a couple of places.
A wash and wax is on the table, as well as washing the carpets.
What else should I do/look at? It's been a while since I've had an older Mercedes (I truely miss my '83 300D), so I'm open to suggestions.
Did this car have the vibration absorbing engine shock (that by now probably needs to be replaced)?
Tune up wise, are there steps that I can take in a weekend with this car? I'll be changing the fuel filters, and checking the belts/hoses. I don't think that I'll have enough time to adjust the valves, but I think that she had that done last summer. What else should I check for her?
Thanks,
Tad
My sister has recently started a career as a real estate agent. I'd like to help her dress up her car a bit so that when she's driving clients around, they feel less like they are in a 20 year old car with 275k miles, and more like they are in a Mercedes.
I already know that I need to glue some of the wood back onto the dash. What other things will make a good difference? Are there seat covers in existance that don't look horrible? She has TEX now, and it is cracked in a couple of places.
A wash and wax is on the table, as well as washing the carpets.
What else should I do/look at? It's been a while since I've had an older Mercedes (I truely miss my '83 300D), so I'm open to suggestions.
Did this car have the vibration absorbing engine shock (that by now probably needs to be replaced)?
Tune up wise, are there steps that I can take in a weekend with this car? I'll be changing the fuel filters, and checking the belts/hoses. I don't think that I'll have enough time to adjust the valves, but I think that she had that done last summer. What else should I check for her?
Thanks,
Tad
As far as vibration, I'd suggest changing the engine mounts, this will drastically reduce the feel of the vibration i nthe cabin. Then, you should definately get the valves adjusted. GL, HTH, etc...
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Joined: Jan 2004
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From: Florida
85 500 SEL
If you have not upgraded the USDOT lamps to Euros yet I’d do that – if you still have the bundt cake rims, I’d get rid of those as well for newer 16-inch rims – it will be like a miracle. 
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Joined: Jun 2004
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How much do you want to spend? probebly needs alot of work if she's trying to impress people.....mostly just make sure the cars stearing, brakes, engine, exhaust and stuff is proper, wouldn't worry to much about the radio but if any of the mechanicals are out of whack then it'll be truly embarrassing!
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Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 64
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From: Northern Virginia
85 300SD, 80 280SL, 90 300TE 4Matic, 90 300D 2.5 Turbo, 91 300E 4Matic, 92 300D 2.5 Turbo, 87 300TD
The only thing I added to my 85 300SD is a center brake light. If you try updating with something that is cheezy and a potential Real Estate client recognizes it as such ,they might be less likely to trust your sister's candor - an important attribute in closing a deal. You cannot, however, go wrong with the original equipment.
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Joined: Jul 2004
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From: florida
1986 300sdl
I'm a realtor and have a 86' 300sdl. It's completely stock except for a tape player. I get complements everytime someone rides in it or sees it. The only thing I would recoment is treating the seats with some sort of leather conditioner and putting good diesel in it so it will not smoke as bad. Good luck to your sister.
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Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 64
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From: Northern Virginia
85 300SD, 80 280SL, 90 300TE 4Matic, 90 300D 2.5 Turbo, 91 300E 4Matic, 92 300D 2.5 Turbo, 87 300TD
I got a used center brake light fixture from mercedesdismantlers.com (they've got oodles of stuff like that) for next to nothing. You just need to poke a couple of holes in the back panel (the one with the first aide kit and other storage compartment) and screw in down. Run a wire through to the trunk to near the antenna and tap into the wire bundle running back to the brake lights. Splice it in. Also run a ground wire. That's it.
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