[tock172]

Hi, right now I own a Jeep Cherokee and it is my DD, with all sorts of things done to it.

But, I am wanting something else in my garage, and right now the 300D/240D have both caught my attention.

I really don't plan to do any mods on it like my XJ, I just want her to run and be ready to drive 2 or 3 days a week. Is this realistic for a car like this?

What should I look for in a car like this?

 

[GogglesPisano764]

you mean mods like this? like i did to my jeep? welcome to the forums!

 

[tock172]

you mean mods like this? like i did to my jeep? welcome to the forums!

Nice YJ man! And yes, similar to that, I focused more on the engine, but it is pretty capable offroad.

 

[GogglesPisano764]

whats under the hood of my yj is a 350 4 bolt main with a built 700r4 , detroit tru-trac upfront and detroit locker in the rear.

 

[tock172]

whats under the hood of my yj is a 350 4 bolt main with a built 700r4 , detroit tru-trac upfront and detroit locker in the rear.

Jesus man that's got some muscle. I am running the good ol' straight 6, 4.0l, with a bored out TB, 63mm a custom K&N CAI and a dynomax catback among other things.

The best part? it's a 96 with less than 50k on her.

 

[GogglesPisano764]

many other members here are more in tune with the 240/300D's than i am. this is my first one. the first concern i have is that these cars seem to be rust prone but i found one that is very solid and i got lucky and bought mine from a mechanic who took the car in trade for what he was owned on the brake job he did on it. honestly i paid $1000 for mine and its really quite rock solid. there are many other members here more qualified than me who you should listen to. personally i'm coming from a 1991 420SEL into this 300D and I love it!!!

 

[tock172]

many other members here are more in tune with the 240/300D's than i am. this is my first one. the first concern i have is that these cars seem to be rust prone but i found one that is very solid and i got lucky and bought mine from a mechanic who took the car in trade for what he was owned on the brake job he did on it. honestly i paid $1000 for mine and its really quite rock solid. there are many other members here more qualified than me who you should listen to. personally i'm coming from a 1991 420SEL into this 300D and I love it!!!

Well being from San Diego rust should be a non factor. Good to hear about the price, that sounds great to me!

mmm 420SEL gotta love that 126 right?

 

[GogglesPisano764]

Well being from San Diego rust should be a non factor. Good to hear about the price, that sounds great to me!

mmm 420SEL gotta love that 126 right?

I loved it until the motor went. sold it on ebay for parts. it was a great car all 245000 miles of it. i'd get another w126 but i'm loving the 300D right now. its just the right size.

 

[240_benz]

First things first, welcome to Benzworld!

These cars will go forever, especially the Diesels, that is if they are maintained well. Any W123 can either be a garage queen like mine or a daily driver. It depends on your needs and how much you are looking to spend on a car. These cars, particularly when having been neglected are a bit needy of a few things. Remember they are OLD, so they have problems here and there.

I try to look for things that might be a risk to the overall safety. Make sure all the basic stuff works and document what needs to be repaired or replaced. When buying one of these check to make sure the engine is in good shape. The timing chain should be replaced about every 90k miles, (both chain and tensioner), adjust the valves ever 10-15k miles. Look for any signs of rust or damage to the frame rails etc... A lot of people neglect this but make sure the suspension is aligned right and the wheels and tires in good shape. I almost got in an accident when I had a wheel come loose on me.

Try to get a car that has all or most of it's service documents. That just helps with knowing how well it was maintained.

I'm not going to go into detail here but use the search. You'll find out lots of stuff.
Here are some other things to get you going on W123 Diesels:

MERCEDES DIESELS
MercedesShop - Mercedes Benz Parts and Technical Information
Fixing or Replacing that Annoying Fuel Sender
Mercedes-Benz W123 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I personally love the 240D because it came with a manual transmission. It may be slow as hell (no turbo) but the MPG is great. The automatics can be a bit rough and I prefer an stick because I have more control over the engine and speed of the car etc... It'd be nice to have an extra cylinder and a turbo for getting on the freeway but overall it's a fantastic car.

 

[tock172]

First things first, welcome to Benzworld!

These cars will go forever, especially the Diesels, that is if they are maintained well. Any W123 can either be a garage queen like mine or a daily driver. It depends on your needs and how much you are looking to spend on a car. These cars, particularly when having been neglected are a bit needy of a few things. Remember they are OLD, so they have problems here and there.

I try to look for things that might be a risk to the overall safety. Make sure all the basic stuff works and document what needs to be repaired or replaced. When buying one of these check to make sure the engine is in good shape. The timing chain should be replaced about every 90k miles, (both chain and tensioner), adjust the valves ever 10-15k miles. Look for any signs of rust or damage to the frame rails etc... A lot of people neglect this but make sure the suspension is aligned right and the wheels and tires in good shape. I almost got in an accident when I had a wheel come loose on me.

Try to get a car that has all or most of it's service documents. That just helps with knowing how well it was maintained.

I'm not going to go into detail here but use the search. You'll find out lots of stuff.
Here are some other things to get you going on W123 Diesels:

MERCEDES DIESELS
MercedesShop - Mercedes Benz Parts and Technical Information
Fixing or Replacing that Annoying Fuel Sender
Mercedes-Benz W123 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I personally love the 240D because it came with a manual transmission. It may be slow as hell (no turbo) but the MPG is great. The automatics can be a bit rough and I prefer an stick because I have more control over the engine and speed of the car etc... It'd be nice to have an extra cylinder and a turbo for getting on the freeway but overall it's a fantastic car.

Thanks a lot!

Well judging from my driving habits, I travel about 200-300 miles a week. Right now all of that is done in my jeep, but because of what I have done to my Jeep, while it is still economical, it's just not comfortable or enjoyable as it could be. I have always liked German cars, and diesels as well, so something durable and comfy like a 300D or a 240D sounds perfect. I am not expecting anything amazing, but driving 2 to 3 days a week would make me happy.

One other thing, I plan to do nothing to this car in terms of aftermarket stuff. Maybe I will replace the air filter with a K&N replacement, but I really am not looking for a tuner/performer here, just a nice 300D/240D that will start when I turn the key and take me where I need to go.

That isn't too much to expect is it?

 

[240_benz]

One other thing, I plan to do nothing to this car in terms of aftermarket stuff. Maybe I will replace the air filter with a K&N replacement, but I really am not looking for a tuner/performer here, just a nice 300D/240D that will start when I turn the key and take me where I need to go.

That isn't too much to expect is it?[/QUOTE]

I wouldn't recommend using a K&N on the W123 (or any MB for that matter). The K&N filter is more like a strainer rather than a filter, so dirt still gets in to the engine. The stock air system is fine as it is. It was over-designed to be exact, so the car will do just fine with the stock system.

As for driving the 2-3 times a week, the W123 is a solid, trusty, reliable, vehicle.

 

[Rmac58]

I'll sell you a K&N filter if you'd like.
I haven't heard of the timing chain and or tensioner needing replacement after 90k miles.
My SD has over 200k, no engine work. It runs strong. The diesels last a very long time with regular oil changes. You'll need to check for timing chain stretch if you have problems that can't be solved by routine stuff.

 

[AZMT123]

Shine up that Jeep and sell it. You are making a good choice with either the 240D, 300 D, or 300 SD. For more style, the 300 CD would be nice-one of the prettiest coupes I have seen, wish I had one.

I have a 240 D,which I have had since 1981. It is a daily driver,original paint,no rust, stick shift. Definitely do not get an automatic transmission in the 240 D,with that small engine, you need the control feel of a stick.

That being said, there is no question that a 300 D turbo has a lot more response and power, and for mixed city/highway driving, I think I would favor getting , say, a 1984 300D or 300 SD.

My maintenance costs for the diesel are minimal.Once you get your daily driver, then you can budget for a Mercedes weekend car. My preference,if I had some mechanical skills, would be a 500 SEC or a 450 SLC in excellent condition.

There are always some low mileage, cared for vehicles in the classified section of the Star, the quarterly magazine of the Mercedes Benz Club of America.

Welcome to the forums!

 

[tock172]

Shine up that Jeep and sell it. You are making a good choice with either the 240D, 300 D, or 300 SD. For more style, the 300 CD would be nice-one of the prettiest coupes I have seen, wish I had one.

I have a 240 D,which I have had since 1981. It is a daily driver,original paint,no rust, stick shift. Definitely do not get an automatic transmission in the 240 D,with that small engine, you need the control feel of a stick.

That being said, there is no question that a 300 D turbo has a lot more response and power, and for mixed city/highway driving, I think I would favor getting , say, a 1984 300D or 300 SD.

My maintenance costs for the diesel are minimal.Once you get your daily driver, then you can budget for a Mercedes weekend car. My preference,if I had some mechanical skills, would be a 500 SEC or a 450 SLC in excellent condition.

There are always some low mileage, cared for vehicles in the classified section of the Star, the quarterly magazine of the Mercedes Benz Club of America.

Welcome to the forums!

I really want to hold onto my Jeep. I like wheeling it and I have a lot invested in her, not to mention she is perfect for camping, also I will be moving to Arizona in the next 2 years, so my low miles XJ will be perfect. My wanting a Mercedes is really just a bug that bit me. I love the way they look and something this reliable would just be great to have. Moving to Arizona, I would undoubtably tow the lighter car out there.

 

[AZMT123]

I lived in Arizona. If you move there, I would highly recommend looking at the 300 D or 300 SD over the 240 D. I had an add on AC unit installed on my 240D when I moved there, and it was ok, but that engine is only four cylinders.

I would look for a 300 D or 300 SD in excellent condition, with factory air, because in Arizona you are going to run the AC unit probably from April through October (seriously!). You will also probably end up tinting all your windows once you are in Arizona. It makes a great difference.

If you go to the Phoenix area, I would highly recommend an independent Mercedes shop called Myers Star (or Myerstar) Service at the corner of Hayden and McDowell in Tempe. I used them for years,they are honest and a family run operation.

If you end up in the Tucson area, I used to go to Craigs Auto Repair, which worked primarily on Mercedes. That was twenty years ago , so they may not be in business.

I just found that with the 240 D and the AC running, there was just not much power to accelerate, and there are a lot of freeways in Phoenix. In contrast, I drove a friend's 300 D turbo (1984), and it was a rocket ship by comparison.

I would also recommend a California purchase over an Arizona purchase,unless the Arizona car is garaged, because the interior seats and dashboard can get destroyed by the sun. You will definitely want to immediately buy a Dashmat to protect the dashboard when you go to Arizona.

 

[AZMT123]

P.S. Yes, the Jeep would be great for Arizona, especially if you go up into the Red Rock country around Sedona.And if you ever sell it there, you will get a better price for one in good condition.

Maybe some day the Mercedes bug will bite for a four wheel and you can look at a GL, but in the meantime, nothing wrong with the Jeep.

 

[tock172]

P.S. Yes, the Jeep would be great for Arizona, especially if you go up into the Red Rock country around Sedona.And if you ever sell it there, you will get a better price for one in good condition.

Maybe some day the Mercedes bug will bite for a four wheel and you can look at a GL, but in the meantime, nothing wrong with the Jeep.

Man if I had the coins for an AMG G wagon I would already have it!

Anyways, I see what oyu are saying. I will shoot for a 300D locally, and tow whichever car is lighter over to Arizona when I move. I will be keeping both cars for the foreseeable future.

Well, the search begins!

How much should I expect to pay? Keep in mind, I am just looking for one that runs. All cosmetic stuff and minor problems I can fix, for now I just want something I can drive home and use with no other real investments after I pay for it.

 

[240_benz]

I haven't heard of the timing chain and or tensioner needing replacement after 90k miles.
My SD has over 200k, no engine work. It runs strong. The diesels last a very long time with regular oil changes. You'll need to check for timing chain stretch if you have problems that can't be solved by routine stuff.

Somebody said it on the W126 forum a while back.

 

[ducatipaso]

I loved it until the motor went. sold it on ebay for parts. it was a great car all 245000 miles of it. i'd get another w126 but i'm loving the 300D right now. its just the right size.

depends upon WHERE in San Diego the car was parked.

 

[Rmac58]

Somebody said it on the W126 forum a while back.

Don't believe everything you read on Al Gore's brain child.
Gather as many opinions on the subject as you can.
Half a million miles on these engines are not unheard of.
Yet, they were all built by humans, using parts made by the same species.