[Guest (MBNZ)]

New MB owner. Heard great things of the diesels. Got my '85 300TD wagon instead of an SUV and thought I was so smart and practical. 2 years later, I've rebuild the tranny, just rebuilt the engine. 2 days later, the A/C went out and I,replaced that in the Houston heat and now the tranny is acting funny again.<br> The only saving grace is that my brother-in-law is a MB mechanic, but this has cost me way too much.<br> What are my options? Help!

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Patty,<br>Sorry to hear about all the problems you have had with your 300TDT.<br>These cars when properly maintained will virtually run forever. I had a 1979 300SD that had 290000 miles on its original engine and tranny when I sold it 2years ago. It now has 315000 miles on it and is still driving great. I almost bought it back earlier this month.<br>My sister drives a 1984 300CDT with 205000 miles on it and it is perfect. How many miles on your car? Did you buy from a private party? Original owner? The key to these cars is records, records, records. There are plenty of them around so one has to really look hard to find a nice one.<br>One suggestion, who rebuild your tranny? If you are planning to keep the car and are happy with the rest of it, interior, etc, I'd check out an exchange from MBZ, expensive for sure but peace of mind for a very very long time. The other obtion would be to sell it and find a nicer one, remember just take your time. When purchased right these old MBZ'S cannot be beat for value quality and character. Good luck.<br>Joe Brasileiro<br>

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Thanks for the feedback. My brother in law rebuild the tranny. It has 145K on it and looks good otherwise. I think I just have a bad taste in my mouth now. My in-laws had a 300TD for 17 years, no problems and I have only heard great things about the diesel workhorses. Now I've put almost 4K into it and I bought it for 4.5!

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Patty, at 145k you should have a lot of life left on the car. They will really last a long time.<br>Don't feel too bad about the 4.5K you spent on it so far. You have probably adressed most of the issues needing atention and now have a car that is basically as new. Regarding the transmition problems, what exactly are the symptoms? Slipping, rough shifting, whine? It is interesting you needed a rebuild at only 145k, these trannys will go more than 250k before overhaul. Let me know what the problem is, maybe an adjustment will cure it, these boxes have a vaccum modulator that if not properly adjusted will cause strange transmission behaviour. Also the linkages must be adjusted spot on. The procedure is kind of involved so it is better done by someone with good know-how.<br>Regards,<br>Joe Brasileiro

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Joe - Thanks for your comments and sorry for the delay. As of Friday, 9/1, the master cyl froze up which caused my rear brakes to lock. So I need new brakes. I've had it with this car! I cannot afford to put another $500 into it for brakes(at cost) after the $500 for the A/C 5 weeks ago and the rebuilt engine in July. <br>I've always heard that these cars are workhorses and I think I just got a lemon and cannot afford to keep putting $ into it. I believe that at this point, I have a totally restored 300 TD that looks good, but I just can't trust it anymore. My brother-in-law has taken it to Dallas to repair the brakes and sell it for me. I'm going back to the Honda Accord. <br>

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

hey there patty!<p>i have an 85 300TD wagon as well. the SAME thing happend to mine and the breaks locked up. but i promise keeping the car is worth it. i love mine so much! keep it!

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

: New MB owner. Heard great things of the diesels. Got my '85 300TD wagon instead of an SUV and thought I was so smart and practical. 2 years later, I've rebuild the tranny, just rebuilt the engine. 2 days later, the A/C went out and I,replaced that in the Houston heat and now the tranny is acting funny again.<br> The only saving grace is that my brother-in-law is a MB mechanic, but this has cost me way too much.<br> What are my options? Help!<p><br>17/03/01<br>Leopald von Preussen [email protected]<p>I felt the same way about my 300TD today... My car is a 1980 300TD. I have 160,000 miles on my engine.. The car drives strong and smoothly..<br>But today I had my oil checked something I do every week. Anyways I have a Mercedez Tech. Preform this task weekly.. today we discovered a bit of oil in the area where the Aire Filter goes.<br>This is called Diesel Engine Blow-By..<br>Some say it means its time to replace the engine.<br>and others say it is common... I have already put a ton of money in this car... brakes water pump hydrolics...etc etc... What more can go wrong..<br>They say Mercedez cars are suppossed to be a fine machine... and I think they are... but they require expensive... very EXPENSIVE<<<<< up keep..<br>Good luck with your car.... and God Bless..<p><p><p><p><p><p>

 

[Guest (MBNZ)]

Re: Re: '85 300TD Wagon - Want to kill it.

I would keep that car!<br> I own an '83 that I paid 10K for (!) with<br> 90k orig miles, NEW trans, NEW AC compressor, NEW Radiator, NEW $3k paint. <br> Naturally, I have had zero problems. I have put 15k miles on the car in 9 months and I swear by the reliability and 'workhorseness' of these. It is a very classy and unique car, that absolutley stands out against the sea of SUV and nouveau MB's. <br> Important areas are obvious, Air,filtration, Fuel filtration and Oil changes ($75 for all mentioned) every 3-4k miles and you have a winner. <br> Interesting thing is, Most people run these cars into the ground...which one can do and still have a pretty good car in the meantime!<br> Upon any MB diesel purchase, expect to spend some hefty initial $$$.. to get the car back into shape...they are totally worth it!<br> cheers<br> GJ<br> 83 300 TD 107k<br> 80 300D 274k

 

[rousch]

the oil you have is a crude form of pollution control called a trap oxidizer, ment to reburn the oil vapor. there is s filter in the black thing ment to be cleaned out in diesel fuel and put back. dont rush to get a new engine these engines are made to be serviced.I bought a "soaker wagon" from a used car lot and traded in my 5 year old younger vw, crazy? the car lot guy thought i was but I traded in a jetta w/ back doors inop, a engine needing motormounts and a t belt, the moral? no books no records no sale, these cars can be a fantastic car but only if it has been maintained before you get it. any car can soak you. sorry you had such a bad time with the car les then 1% of the cars mb makes are like that and they are not like that fromn the factory. good luck