1980 Mercedes 300 SD Turbo

[KevinLewis]

What do you know About them? I am looking for a commuter/ beater car that gets good milage to keep miles off the dodge. (my Girlfriend lives 1 1/2 hours away) It says it has a new head and just needs the manifolds and injection pump timed. hope the link works.

http://www.craigslist.com/nby/car/67855919.html

 

[LightmanE300]

The best thing you can do is go to mercedesshop.com and post in the Diesel Discussion sections of the forums. It pretty much consists of mercedes diesel fanatics that have cars for the most part built from 75-99. They'll be able to spell out all of the issues of that particular model. .



If I were you I'd recommend instead finding a 98. 5-2003 Volkswagen with the TDI diesel. They get far better mileage and are available pretty cheap these days used...

 

[KevinLewis]

I would like a tdi Vw but that is more than i wish to spend. Before my truck i had a 1. 8t jetta that was a nice car.

 

[DougJones]

I had a 79 SD that was well used when I bought it. I used it for a commuter too. It got around 27 mpg and I ran it into the ground. I would buy another though I might stay away from the one you are talking about. You can pick these up pretty cheap and already running so you can test drive. You might be buying something that would cost more to fix than what you could buy another for.

 

[av8r]

Bought my '86 VW Jetta na Diesel for $500. :-laf Keep looking, you'll find a better one.

 

[KevinLewis]

Bought my '86 VW Jetta na Diesel for $500. :-laf Keep looking, you'll find a better one.

Was that jetta turbo by chance and can you bomb it? I would like to make it a little better.

 

[av8r]

Endangered Species

... turbo...

Ah, yes. The very rare and endangered A2 VW Turbo Diesels. No, I wish it was. 42 naturally aspirated horse power. Just don't use them all at the same time. :-laf



It still gets 45 mpg on a regular basis even with near 300k on a virgin motor. Excellent commuter and nearly impossible to get a speeding ticket! :-laf

 

[smokejunkie]

I had an '81 240D. It got great mileage but not being turbocharged man was it sloooooooooow. Smooth ridein car and the ladies think your something special with a BENZO

 

[BLACKRAM]

1 and 1/2 hours? I'd replace the girlfriend. They are always more trouble than a 25 year old Mercedes. :-laf

 

[RonA]

I bought an 83 for my wife back in 94. Had 63k on it. It has 244k on it now. Gets about 27-28mpg. Still looks great. Power is fine. Parked next to my wifes new Avalon, the mercedes looks better( she might dissagree).

 

[KevinLewis]

1 and 1/2 hours? I'd replace the girlfriend. They are always more trouble than a 25 year old Mercedes. :-laf

Maybe once I start rollin the Benzo I can find a closer girlfriend but I really like ths girl and don't mind driving over there.



I emailed the guy about the car and have not heard back yet, maybe its gone.

 

[LightmanE300]

Kevin - look for something a little less grandpa-style. Try to find a 300CD - the 2 door diesel coupes. They are somewhat more rare, but man are they sweet. With the turbo they aren't too slow either.