Tell me why this be a bad idea.

Kinja'd!!! by "The Crazy Kanuck; RIP Oppositelock" (jukesjukesjukes)
Published 10/25/2017 at 23:09

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STARS: 2


It’s a 1984 Mercedes Benz 300CD.

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!!

It’s not fast, can’t handle very well (I still auto-x it), & is heavy.


Replies (19)

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/25/2017 at 23:21, STARS: 1

I think you pretty much covered it.

Still, better than a Juke.

Kinja'd!!! "WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/25/2017 at 23:21, STARS: 0

Factory heated seats in 1984? I’m impressed.

Good car, seems pricey but I don’t know market for these. Slow as hell but classy.

Kinja'd!!! "DarkCreamyBeer" (darkcreamybeer)
10/25/2017 at 23:37, STARS: 0

This is pretty much the exact car I want to buy for my kids before the oldest turns 16.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/25/2017 at 23:37, STARS: 2

You don’t drive these to accelerate fast. You build up momentum, and then people know to get out of your way.

At least, that’s how it works in my fantasies.

Kinja'd!!! "415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
10/25/2017 at 23:39, STARS: 0

I have an 83 W123, the difference for 84/85 is they are no longer mechanical fuel injection, I believe, for the final two years. If you maintain them they are good forever but recently I have had to do a few things, finally reaching the end to some original parts. They are not about handling, but they aren’t bad, they cruise well and you feel good.

Kinja'd!!! "fintail" (fintail)
10/25/2017 at 23:43, STARS: 2

I see rust. I’d want a PPI on a lift.

The seller using mercedesmotoring as a claim to high values is iffy. No interior pics is also iffy. Mileage is no big deal IF it passes the PPI.

General cosmetic condition looks good, price isn’t hugely out of line. Deduct a bit for rust, and it could be OK.

Kinja'd!!! "Obruni" (Obruni)
10/25/2017 at 23:44, STARS: 0

No interior shots? Shady....

Kinja'd!!! "WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/25/2017 at 23:47, STARS: 1

The 240D is slow as molasses. This one will do 0-60 in the low to mid teens at least, but a big adjustment from today’s cars.

But they will cruise happily at 80 all day long.

And will run forever. They’re cool cars.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/25/2017 at 23:49, STARS: 1

Damn, is there is neutron star in the trunk? And yes, cool as Manitoba in February.

Kinja'd!!! "WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
10/25/2017 at 23:59, STARS: 0

They’re built like tanks, and don’t have much horsepower. Plus it’s am automatic transmission from over 30 years ago.

Remember back then, Trans Ams and other “fast” cars were in the 8-9 second range for 0-60. And this was slow by those standards.

240D runs 17-20 seconds from 0-60.

Kinja'd!!! "Chariotoflove" (chariotoflove)
10/26/2017 at 00:05, STARS: 1

Like the 3-speed slush box I remember on our ‘73 Olds wagon. One-missisippi...two-mississippi...

Kinja'd!!! "fintail" (fintail)
10/26/2017 at 00:08, STARS: 0

I think 84-85 models had more restrictive emissions equipment, and California cars had the trap oxidizer, which can be problematic.

Kinja'd!!! "415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
10/26/2017 at 00:24, STARS: 0

Well they are exempt, I capped off my EGR, there is a kit for that. I;ve never had a different year but I would just yank all the emissions stuff. I was told to get an 83 and I happened to find one with low miles near me at the time.

Kinja'd!!! "SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media" (silentbutnotreallydeadly)
10/26/2017 at 06:40, STARS: 0

How about you tell us why you think it’s a good idea first? Mainly because delusions of grandeur might be the key problem here!

Kinja'd!!! "Sovande" (sovande)
10/26/2017 at 07:42, STARS: 0

Rust, slow, expensive parts, vacuum system will need work (locking the doors, shutting the engine off). AC will not work. The rear windows will need work to operate correctly. The sunroof will probably be broken and the drains will rust the floor out. The seats will look new because the material used is amazing, but the springs will be broken. Repairing them is doable, but a pain.

As others have said they are fun to drive, however. I had a 1985 300CD. I sold it and the new owner parked it under a tree. A storm came through and broke a branch off and broke the windshield which is used only on the 300CD. He couldn’t find a replacement for under something crazy like $1500.

Kinja'd!!! "pip bip - choose Corrour" (hhgttg69)
10/26/2017 at 08:14, STARS: 0

too old?

Kinja'd!!! "RacinBob" (racinbob)
10/26/2017 at 08:15, STARS: 0

My dad has an ‘85 and they are interesting cars. The turbo diesel makes it a momentum car. Driving it is like driving a powerful diesel yacht, step on the throttle it just goes faster and faster. Chassis is very solid for an 80's car.

If it shifts hard. that is a easy fix, there is an external vacuum modulator that is tied to the throttle that gets plugged. clear it out and shifts good as new. It’s there because the autobox is designed for a petrol engine and it needs the vacuum signal for the kickdown modulation. If there is no signal, the transmission assume the engine is floored and gives rock hard shifts. The vacuum door locks are fussy as well as the HVAC controller.

Look up the MSRP and as I recall, one of these cost about $80k new. Time flies, he has owned it nearly 15 years. His is the one on the right. If you want the zen of diesel yacht, this is the car for you.

Kinja'd!!!

Kinja'd!!! "fintail" (fintail)
10/26/2017 at 09:39, STARS: 0

Still a chore. I have heard 1983 is the sweet spot for these cars.

Kinja'd!!! "SpeedSix" (speedsix)
10/27/2017 at 00:42, STARS: 0

Well, even a 59hp Mercedes-Benz 220D has been autocrossed before over at Curbside Classic ...