I need the advice of experienced MB owners.

I might go look at a 1992 300D w/ 2.5L Diesel, 227k miles.

Aside from the obvious things I would look at mechanically and electrically in a used car, is there anything I should specifically look at and ask about?

The owner (a dealer) says it might need a passenger side rear wheel bearing. I've done those before on domestic rear wheel cars, is it hard on a MB?

This would be my first diesel btw.

The car looks to be in pretty good cosmetic condition.

Thanks in advance.

 

Thanks for the reply!

The car is not too far from where I live.

He has documentation for the first 150k miles. The original window sticker is available. He drove it to Florida and back with his family and had no issues. Tires are good. Since new the car was registered in Atlanta which hopefully reduces the chance of underbody rust. His starting price is just under $5k, so there is some wiggle room.

What else should I look for? I am very mechanically inclined so can fix most minor to intermediate problems myself. But, I don’t want to buy a car that needs a new engine or transmission. I’m looking for a good car to start with that I can slowly improve to my level of satisfaction. This will be my daily commuter (75 miles a day) and I would hope to keep it for many years. Are the W124’s good cars to work on by the backyard mechanic?

All advice is gratefully welcome!

Thanks!

 

Well it is a 17 year old car with over 200K miles it will have problems. It might last you some time but it might cost you big money on the long run especially if you are not mechanically inclined. With those miles it might need new tranny soon. You might be better getting a corolla for like 5000 it will use less gas and cheaper to maintain.

 

BTW those are not original wheels those are 1990's Mercedes SL wheels so who knows what else did they touch in that car.

 

I see the W124 has rear half shafts. I've replaced half shafts on front wheel drive vehicles before so I expect I could do a rear wheel drive MB too if needed.

 

Dariod - You are right about those wheels.

 

Do these 300D's come with a Diesel heater as standard equipment?

 

Nope I got 1993 2.5 that came in 1997 from europe with no power seats and everything in euro metric display and no diesel heater.

 

Guy says the CV joints and boots are good but sometimes you hear a "whomp whomp" noise from the rear. Could be a bad tire too I guess.

I think I am going to drive out and see it Wednesday.

 

I think the question that you have to ask yourself is what is likely to go wrong in the next 100K. If any one of the big ticket mechanical items fails, engine, trans, injection pump, ac system, then the price now has to be low enough to compensate for that. It may not happen but are you the one to win the prize. Just my 2 cents worth. Cheers Dan