Hello all- My name is Ben.
I just purchased my first Mercedes yesterday. She is a 1984 300D Turbo, Sky Blue, Unknown miles- supposedly under 80K- from an older woman in the Boston area. I think I found a jem, but she may have some wear and tear issues, like an oil leak from somewhere, a loose front end steering box, and a driveshaft that is a little too clunky to be right. Therre is minimal rust, a lack of clearcoat in some areas and a need for a serious oil change.

I currently own a 1996 VW Jetta with 213K on the ODO and I perform all the maintainance on her. I have taken very good care of her and she treats me in kind.
I hope to have the same experience with my new project Mercedes, with the ultimate goal of a full restoration and a million mile badge (after I fix the ODO!)

I will be asking a million questions and hope to add to the community as much as possible from my experience.

 

welcome and I'm sure you will enjoy your new project

 

Welcome

 

GREETINGS: I HAVE THE SAME CAR, 84 300DT-LIGHT BLUE, KNOWN AS THE MOST DESIRABLE COLOR WITH THE DARKNBLUE INT.. AND A MATCHING 83 300DT,79K-DARK BLUE ON DARK BLUE. BOTH CARS FROM THE SAME ONE OWNER, ONLY SUMMER DRIVEN. HE,S FROM INDIA AND WAS NOT MUCH ON PREVENTIVE MAINTANCE, JUST WENT TO THE DEALER EVERY SPRING, THANK GODNESS I COULD GET A PRINT OUT OF 20 PLUS YEARS MAINTANCE HISTORY. HE HAD THE IGN SWITCH REPLACED FOR $280 ON THE 84, LATELY IT DOES'NT WANT TO SHUT OFF, REAL HIT AND MISS. I FINALLY FOUND A VACCUM LINE LOOSE AND HAVE TO FIGURE OUT HOW TO PUT IT BACK ON THE SWITCH UNDER THE DASHAND ALSO WHERE DOES IT ATTACH ON THE ENGINE. NO DIAGRAMS IN THE HAYNES MANUAL. ALSO LATELY ON THE 83, THE GLOW PLUG LIGHT QUIT WORKING, PURCHASED A GLOW PLUG RELAY AS REC ON FORU,M BUT NO LUCK, GUESS I'LL DO THE GLOW PLUGS NEXT, ANYONE KNOW HOW TO GET AT THE ONE BEHIND THE OIL FILTER? ANYWAY, BUY YOUR PARTS ON EBAY, JOELTEC OR WHOEVER, AIR FILTERS, OIL AND BOTH FUEL FILTERS. I LIKE 15-50 SYNTHETIC OIL, LASTS 4 PLUS TIMES LONGER, AND REALLY HELPS STARTING IN WISCONSIN WHEN IT'S COLD AS HELL, YOU WILL WANT A HEATER PLUG IF YOU SHARE THIS CLIMATE. I',M BIG ON PREVENTIVE MAINTANCE, BRAKE ROTORS, PADS ECT, TANSMISSION FILTER, FLUID AND PAN GASKET. THE CAR IS REALLY AN INCREDIBLE PIECE OF ENGINERING WHEN YOU GET COMFORTABLE REPLACING BASIC PARTS LIKE I MENTIONED. VACUUM IS THE BIGGIE, DOORS ,ENGINE , ALL THE CONTROLS ON THE DASH AND YES EVERYONES DASH CRACKS, I'M CONSIDERING A CARPET TYPE DASH COVER. REPLACING THAT WHOLE DASH COVER LOOKS LIKE A NIGHTMARE. ALSO CONSIDERING PUTTING IN POWER SEATS, SINCE IV'E HAD A DOZEN OPERATIONSON MY RIGHT LEG, DUE TO A HOSPITAL INDUCED STAFF INFECTION AT THE KNEE, AND NOW HAVE A FUSED STRAIGHT LEG WITH A ROD IN IT FROM MY HIP TO MY ANKLE. BUT I STILL HAVE MY LEG, IT JUST DOES'NT BEND AND GOES NUMB AFTER AWHILE.PLUS IT'S 1 1/2 INCHES SHORTER. BUT THE BENZ IS VERY FORGIVNG , GETTING IN AND OUT.EMAIL ME IF SOMETHING COMES UP OR THE FORUM, GOOD LUCK....AND CONGRATS ON THAT ONE OWNER... TED ERICKSON, 83 300TD, TEDTR6@HOTMAIL.COM MILWAUKEE ,WI.