Hi everyone,
I have a 1979 300SD, with over 500k on it. It still runs ok, and I take pretty good care of it, I've been using it as a daily driver, but its getting pretty tired, burns a quart of oil every couple of weeks, vacuum problems, etc... Everything you would expect from somthing this used.
My question is, do you think it would be worth it, for me to go through, and rebuild, and freshen it up. Or would it be more trouble then its worth, and I should get one with less miles on it as a project car.
I like the 116 body style, and for a dialy driver, the diesel gets great milage, if I do get another, which year is the best choice for the 300SD's, or should I just go for broke, and get the 450 SEL with the 6.9?
I'm very interested in anything anyone has to say, I dont know a whole lot about these cars, but I am a decent mechanic, and I'm trying to learn them.
I'd fix it up but that's just my opinion, coming from someone who recently "rescued" a '79 300SD from a local junkyard! [:D]
Seriously, I guess I would say it really depends on how you feel about the car and what you want out of it. If you really like it and want to keep it, then go ahead and spend the money and time and fix it up, regardless of whether or not it's worth it from a resale view point. I have yet to see anyone ever get their "investment" back from restoring and selling a car anyway (except a few RARE exceptions). I'm fixing up my 300SD not to sell it but to enjoy the car and because I love the feeling of accomplishment taking what some would consider a "basket case" and making something nice out of it.
Just my $.02 worth!
EDIT: By the way, I really wish someone would add a spellchecker to the site software! I hate catching my spelling mistakes AFTER I submit and then have to go back in and fix them!
I'm definitally going to keep it, but an engine with 500k miles on it, is going to need major work, or even be replaced, the tranny is not in good shape either. It has no reverse, it feels like the clutch is slipping, and I heard somthing about an adjustment to fix that, but I dont know if theres any truth to it.
It's going to need a lot of new drive train parts also, so I'm thinking I should just get one with under 100k miles on it, so I have a stronger base to start from.
I'm getting it up on a lift on saterday, and I'm going to try to fix the tranny, and put a vacuum pump rebuild kit in, and go over the engine and replace a bunch of the hoses, and lines, and see if I can fix the seal in the driver side door.
also, theres a company that makes K&N style air filters for these cars, heres one of them on ebay right now, I cant find the companies site right now, but they make parts for the w116
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mercedes-K-N-Cold-Air-Intake-300D-W123-300SD-W126_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ38634QQitemZ800808 8806QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWDVW
Has anyone tried one of these? Do the work well? The mounts keep breaking on my airfilter box, so I figure somthing like this would fix a lot of the problems. It also is supposed to help stop some of the oil burnoff, by catching the vapers put out through the oil vent, before they get to the turbo.
I am selling my 450SEL w/66K original miles ($3,500 obo)and my Dad's 300SD w/106k original miles ($2,500 obo). Both cost less than a rebuilt diesel engine. You can view them and make an offer if interested:
I'm definitally going to keep it, but an engine with 500k miles on it, is going to need major work, or even be replaced, the tranny is not in good shape either. It has no reverse, it feels like the clutch is slipping, and I heard somthing about an adjustment to fix that, but I dont know if theres any truth to it.
It's going to need a lot of new drive train parts also, so I'm thinking I should just get one with under 100k miles on it, so I have a stronger base to start from.
I'm getting it up on a lift on saterday, and I'm going to try to fix the tranny, and put a vacuum pump rebuild kit in, and go over the engine and replace a bunch of the hoses, and lines, and see if I can fix the seal in the driver side door.
I just bought a 79 300SD and am replacing the engine in the next couple weeks... With alot of help from people I met right here on this forum. I also just bought a 80 300SD and will be using it as a guinea pig for a little while before I sell it...
So I would say go for it, if you have 500k on it and still comfortable driving it then heck fix it up at least you know what is wrong and won't have any suprises... Buying these can be scary.
N0RT75O - 11/5/2005 6:28 PM
where are you located? any pics?
[:D] n0rt
California, I'll try to get pics of it :p
One good thing about it, 100% rust free :)
hey, is there a way to mount better brakes on it? I kinda want to put some bigger, more open rims on it, and I would also like a little bit better stopping power.
Location: Heilbronn am Neckar, Baden-Württemburg, Deutschland ; Ft. Myers Beach, Florida, USA
Posts: 2,642
RE: 500k + 300SD
Quote:
Teradoc - 10/18/2005 12:22 PM
Hi everyone,
I have a 1979 300SD, with over 500k on it. It still runs ok, and I take pretty good care of it, I've been using it as a daily driver, but its getting pretty tired, burns a quart of oil every couple of weeks, vacuum problems, etc... Everything you would expect from somthing this used.
My question is, do you think it would be worth it, for me to go through, and rebuild, and freshen it up. Or would it be more trouble then its worth, and I should get one with less miles on it as a project car.
I like the 116 body style, and for a dialy driver, the diesel gets great milage, if I do get another, which year is the best choice for the 300SD's, or should I just go for broke, and get the 450 SEL with the 6.9?
I'm very interested in anything anyone has to say, I dont know a whole lot about these cars, but I am a decent mechanic, and I'm trying to learn them.
if u want to stop, or drasticly reduce its oil consumption, and restore its compression back to original levels, at the next oil change, fill in Amsoil Series 3000 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil..........
Hi everyone,
I have a 1979 300SD, with over 500k on it. It still runs ok, and I take pretty good care of it, I've been using it as a daily driver, but its getting pretty tired, burns a quart of oil every couple of weeks, vacuum problems, etc... Everything you would expect from somthing this used.
My question is, do you think it would be worth it, for me to go through, and rebuild, and freshen it up. Or would it be more trouble then its worth, and I should get one with less miles on it as a project car.
I like the 116 body style, and for a dialy driver, the diesel gets great milage, if I do get another, which year is the best choice for the 300SD's, or should I just go for broke, and get the 450 SEL with the 6.9?
I'm very interested in anything anyone has to say, I dont know a whole lot about these cars, but I am a decent mechanic, and I'm trying to learn them.
if u want to stop, or drasticly reduce its oil consumption, and restore its compression back to original levels, at the next oil change, fill in Amsoil Series 3000 Heavy Duty Diesel Oil..........
I put some Bars-Leaks or whatever its called in, it seems to of helped, I'll try the Amsoil at my next change though. Its started to get cold, so I guess its about time to change it anyway :) I've tried a bunch of different types, anything from Castrol Syntec, to Penzoil High Milage... Thanks :)
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