I’m considering buying an older Mercedes Diesel, probably around an ’82. I like the style of the 300D and love the gas mileage. I’m looking at one with around 175k miles. However, I have no idea of the costs to repair/replace parts. I know this is a pretty open question but I really don’t know what to expect. Any help you can provide is much appreciated. Thanks!
What are the typical repair costs for a 1982 Mercedes Benz 300D?
This entry was posted in Uncategorized. Bookmark the permalink.
With a 25 year old car, it depends on condition. If you get one in good shape, you’ll have fewer maintenance issues than any modern car. Repairs will be simple, and parts cheap. The only things that you may find disturbing are that the oil must be changed every 2500 miles, and the valves need to be adjusted every 15K miles.
You should probably go down a preventative maintenance checklist as soon as you buy the car:
Replace the glow plugs
1) Change all fluids and filters: air, oil, transmission, differential, and power steering.
2) Replace all the little rubber vacuum connectors in the engine compartment. Also any aging fuel hoses.
3) Check the driveshaft flex disks, and replace if they are cracked or dried
4) Inspect the ball joints and tie rods, and replace anything that’s loose.
5) Replace the motor mounts and tranny mount.
6) Replace the engine shock absorbers. These are little shock absorbers that control engine shake.
7) Install a clear plastic fuel filter in the main plastic vacuum line. The reason for this is that a failed vacuum pump will destroy your car. Installing a clear filter will allow you to see when this happens in time to prevent more damage (black oil will appear in the filter)
9) Get yourself a box of german fuses in 8, 16, and 25 amps. Also a couple of strip fuses for the glow plugs. Keep these in the glove box, you’re going to need them soomer or later.
10) Replace the battery (it’s nearly impossible to jump start a Diesel with a gasoline car).
11) I would also replace the master cylinder, it’s the one thing you don’t want failing on you.
12) Adjust the valves, check the pump timing, inspect the vacuum switch valves, and clean the Alda fittings.
All of this might cost $1000. When you’re done, you will have a solid, reliable car.
I’ve owned 123 body Diesels, and I’ve never been disappointed. My present car is a 201 body, a 1987 190D turbo. A quarter million miles, and I think I’ll keep it a while.