1987 190D 2.5 turbo..buy or pass??
 

New to forum and have never owned a MB, but would really like to. A local dealer has a very clean MB (interior and exterior) far better than the volume I have looked at. He currently is asking $2850 which seems in of itself a great price. The lot owner has no diea about diesels or MB for that matter. There are some issues with the car that seem to be easily DIY fixes, but Im looking for some guidance here. The car is hard to start in cool temperatures (below 45-50 degrees). Warmer temps it seems to fir up after 3 seconds or so of cranking. The fuse associated with the glow plugs keeps popping. The lot owner states it (the fuse) will be good for 2-3 days then pops. I am assuming its associaed with starting the car during those times. Ive never witnessed this issue first hand, hes just disclosing the issue to me. What I have read online, it appears this issue is associated with bad glow plugs? Bad glow plugs with op the fuse? Is this fuse an 80amp fuse? Is there a band of these fuses (as in 5 for the 5 GP's?) Like I said I am not familiar with the MB Diesels, I have had Ford PSD but never had any GP issues. Ive talked the guy down to 2100 cash, knowing these issues and Id fix them. Also replacing GP's pretty straight forward? Or am I taking on a assignment thats going to frustrate me to no end? Im pretty mechanical and have did some in depth engine stuff (not a mechanic by no means but Id qaulify as a halfway shade tree mechanic). The Benz is an automatic and has 162,300 on the odometer
Anything else I should be looking for? I didn' note any strange noises and I will test drive it in the next few days or so.
Thanks in advance for any guidance someone can offer.

No help???
 

No inpiut here folks? I dont want to call the local diesel guy, cause he will say "Bring it in" standard course.

I think that there is only one fuse strip for all the glow plugs.
And are you sure it is a 1987 turbo model?

I checked this 190D is a 1988 non turbo model.

Regarding the car itself, check for rust on the underbody. There will lots on this vintage just make sure there is not excessive rust or underbody holes. I owned a 1987 190e 2.3(same body-gas engine) from new in 1987 to 2002 when the car was traded with only 100,000km. The new owner had to repair the underbody before it could be certified due to the excess rust. Hope it isn't the case but worth checking.
Good luck.

The car is on a dealers lot. I doubt you could talk them down less then $2000.
If I lived closer I would still check it out. But 8 hour drive it is not worth my time.

I think it was nice of the manager of the lot to let me know he sold the car.
Also I think it is pretty funny here is what he said.
"I sold the mercedes today. I just wanted it out of my lot because it had too many issues"