1984 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series Grey DT

1984 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series DT Additional Info:

This 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300D is an original in good condition. I have owned for 12 years now. Odometer quit working shortly after I got it (common with these). I estimate I drove her 5k/per year resulting in 210,000 miles.

Vehicle Details

Vehicle is in overall good shape, but has a a couple quirks that keep it from being perfect.

Let's first address the main issue right now.

There is there is a vacuum leak in the system, which is most likely in a lock switch. I replaced the drivers lock switch about 8 years ago, which had a small rip in the bellows (mechanism looks like an accordion) and caused the same thing that is happening now (vacuum loss).

Fortunately, even now, the leak is stopped when you lock the doors. So if you can handle locking the doors after you start the car, it's really not an issue. If you forget to lock doors, car won't turn off. Simply turn key back on, lock doors, wait 10 seconds, car turns off like normal. Prior to this leak starting, the car would hold vacuum for weeks.

The Good:

*Engine is strong,

*trans has been rebuilt

*egr unalived

*2nd Gen w126 front brake upgrade, new pads and rotors all around last year.

*Clarion VZ-401 radio upgrade. Alpine front and rear speakers. Power antenna works automatically when radio turns on/off.

The brake swap was a big and expensive upgrade. I upgraded the stock *solid rotors* that used to feel warped every other month to vented ones that are 1" bigger. Front brakes are for a 1990 420sel and all new OEM hardware was used (calipers, rotors, dust shields, & hoses)

*The upgrade also necessitated 15" rims. If you get a flat on a front tire, you MUST take a rear tire off to put on the front, and then use the spare on the rear, as 14" spare rim won't fit over larger brakes up front anymore.

*Original and expensive rear CV joints rebuilt by local shop rather than putting inferior junk CV axles on a few years back.

Underbody is exceptionally clean for a 40 year old vehicle. I never drive it in rain or snow, and it lives its life in the garage when not being driven.

*Sunroof works and doesn't leak!

*Heat will roast you out of the car!

*Mind-numbing $26,779+ worth of maintenance receipts included!

*Manual glow plug real installed, button by drivers left knee. Makes cold starts easier, less smoke on starts

.

The bad:

*The vacuum leaked we talked about already.

*The paint is shot. The hood is the worst, but light scratches are abundant on roof and throughout the car.

*The few dents I pointed out in the pictures

*Light rusting behind the rear tires. Totally savable and not too bad as it is now.

*3 --> 4 gear change flair. When changing from 3rd to 4th gear, there is sometimes a brief flair, which is not a "slip" (Google this for more info).The RPMs rise up a couple hundred then shift occurs. If you are hard or easy on the accelerator, it doesn't happen. Only when throttle is midway.

After I had trans rebuilt, I didn't like the 3-4 shift (was kinda of soft) and thought I could make it better myself by adjusting kickdown cable and modulator on side of transmission. I ended up getting it out of spec, and now it flairs. Returning it to the correct vacuum specs would solve this issue.

*Both rear windows are jerky but work.

Rear window drivers side needs help to travel all the way up but it's not a big deal.

*Dash is cracked and cruise control is unhooked, just like the other 99% of these cars.

*U shaped tube from air filter to turbo had a crack in it last year so I took it off. I am in closing a new one with sale that I simply never had the chance to put on yet.

*Trim on driver's door is bent out. Story I heard from PO is he caught his pant leg on it and bent it. Could be fixed, for free, by removing trim and bending clips back and reinstalling. Never bothered me enough to do it.

*AC used to work but quit a few years ago. It seemed like it chopped off 30 HP when I used it so I never bothered to fix it

*Has oil drip (show me a diesel that don't!)

*Needs an oil change.