1983 Mercedes Benz 300D
1983 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series Description:
I am selling my 1983 Mercedes Benz 300D. Exterior is "champagne metallic" (i.e. gold) and interior is palomino (tan). This is a four-door sedan.The car features a 3.0 liter, inline-5 cylinder turbocharged diesel engine and an automatic transmission. I purchased the car in 2009 in Texas and it is currently located in Colorado. It has been my daily driver during that entire time.
When I acquired the car it had 102,000 miles on it, and it now has approximately 183,000 miles. The car is well-maintained and reliable. I have performed the following maintenance/upgrades since acquiring the car:
- Michelin tires with an 80,000 mile rating, which have approximately half that remaining.
- Separate set of (unmounted) Firestone snow tires that have been used very little.
- Less than 1,000 miles on new Bilstein front shock absorbers.
- New Interstate battery approximately 6 months ago.
- Replaced radiator, radiator hoses, thermostat - engine temp holds steady.
- Replaced cruise control actuator - cruise control functional.
- Replaced climate control unit - A/C is cool but not cold and sometimes switches to blowing heat at random times (this might be a bad monovalve).
- Added sheepskin seat covers for front seats.
- Replaced radio head unit to permit playback via USB/CD.
- Replaced injector nozzles.
- Replaced rear subframe bushings and transmission mount.
- Replaced rear shock absorbers.
- Replaced all four brake rotors and all brake pads.
- Replaced all door lock vacuum elements less than 1,000 miles ago. System is now very tight and works well.
- Upgraded headlights to Cibie Euro-spec (one of these is now cracked but still works).
- Upgraded fog lights to Cibie Euro-spec.
- Religiously changed oil with Mobil 1 Turbo-Diesel Truck every 5,000 miles.
- Regularly replaced both in-line and screw-on fuel filters.
- Regularly adjusted valves and replaced valve gasket cover.
- Replaced alternator in approximately 2010.
- Replaced shifter bushing in approximately 2010.
- Replaced all glow plugs.
I have used OEM or OEM-quality parts for all of the foregoing.
This sale includes the snow tires as well as quite a few spare parts, including some Bilstein rear shock absorbers, a new hood pad along with the appropriate adhesives for installation, and numerous and sundry filters (oil, fuel, etc) and fluids.
The paint which appears to be original, exhibits some fading/oxidation on the hood (see photos) but otherwise is in reasonably good shape for its age. There is a dent on the front right fender, and a bit of a scrape on the back right fender. There are other mostly minor blemishes consistent with a car of this age.
The interior is in reasonably good condition consistent with age. There are acouple of small cracks on the dash. There is also a crack in the MB Tex on the front center armrest.
The transmission started slipping a bit a few months back. My opinion is that the vacuum actuator and/or the bowden cable need adjusting, though I don't know for certain what is causing the issue. A couple of the windows periodically won't go down. My opinion is that the switches need to be cleaned or replaced, though again I don't know for certain.
If you are still reading then you likely already know that these cars are legendary for their reliability and durability. If properly maintained it is not uncommon for the engine to last 400,000 - 500,000 miles before needing a rebuild. This car is in very solid condition and has been well-maintained and 100% reliable since I acquired it for daily use.
If you are interested in making a bid, please review the photos carefully and be sure to email me with any specific questions. This is a 35-year old used vehicle and, while I have attempted to describe all material issues or potential defects, invariably there will be some items that I have overlooked.
This vehicle is sold AS-IS, WHERE-IS, without representation or warranty of any kind.
Title
Mileage
Location
Engine
T/M
Year
161,000
Atlanta, Georgia, United States
L6 3.5 liters
Automatic
1991
238651
Palisade, Colorado, United States
5 cyl turbo diesel
Automatic
1983
209,000
Edenton, North Carolina, United States
3.0 L 5 cylinder diesel
Automatic
1983
200,000
Highgate Center, Vermont, United States
5 Cylinder Turbo Diesel
Automatic
1983