Got another old W123 Merc today - this time a 300D.

[spudboy]

Bought my daughter her first real "own" car today. Went 50:50 on the cost. Of all the cars we looked at she likes W123 Mercs the best (strangely).

Found this 84 diesel with 300,000Kms on it in pretty good nick. Engine is good. Bodywork OK for a car nearly 30 years old. Owned by an "elderly gentleman". Cost us $3,500.

2 new tyres and an aircon re-gass and we should be in business.

They are a bit like Defender 300TDi's with the engineering simplicity. Build quality is about 10 times better though. No ABS or airbags, but lots of nice solid Mercedes protection if she has a prang.

Thought it was funny she liked these better than a nippy little run around!

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/parking-lot/36115d1306052958-got-another-old-w123-merc-today-time-300d-mercedes300d-011.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/parking-lot/36116d1306052976-got-another-old-w123-merc-today-time-300d-mercedes300d-013.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/parking-lot/36117d1306052998-got-another-old-w123-merc-today-time-300d-mercedes300d-017.jpg

http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/parking-lot/36118d1306053028-got-another-old-w123-merc-today-time-300d-mercedes300d-019.jpg

[stig0000]

that is identical to the one im trying to get now,,, but its up here, iv been trying to ring the guy all weekend and got nothing,, sore that one and thort 'bandit he got it':D

but im in qld :angel: i love old mercs

[spudboy]

Ha - that is funny. Glad I did not pinch "your" car.

Am intersted to hear what makes a young person such as yourself (I gather you are 20-something) partial to an old bus like that.....

[stig0000]

its old,, its good looking,, and not a commo or a coon, its different,

and im hoping:angel: that old german engineering is bullet proof,

plus id think that old 5cyl should be prity good on fuel to,,

[langy]

Daughter+first car+diesel engine=tank of petrol.

[rovercare]

a nippy little run around!









Nippy is certainly something a 300D is not:D

[bee utey]

Nippy is certainly something a 300D is not:D
A project here, put a turbo on it....:p

[spudboy]

Bee Utey - you are a mind reader. I have just been trolling the US sites about the possibility of doing just that.

Apparently it is not a good idea as the std engine gets too hot. There are a lot of differences between the non-turbo and the turbo engines.

What about diesel gas.....

[bee utey]

What about diesel gas.....

Yup, I have done a few NA diesels, Nissan & Toyota 6's, Isuzus in Deefers, the principal should be the same. Anyway, if you put a turbo on I would use very low boost, just enough to clean up the combustion, no major increase in fuel. I don't remember them as particularly economical, 25MPG springs to mind.

[stig0000]

Bee Utey - you are a mind reader. I have just been trolling the US sites about the possibility of doing just that.

Apparently it is not a good idea as the std engine gets too hot. There are a lot of differences between the non-turbo and the turbo engines.

What about diesel gas.....


realy,??? iv been reading about the same thing and herd there stong as just keep them cool,, just the pumps needa bit of work to make good power,

how is the sound of it,, i bet its not as qwiet as a pet but how is it to drive, not to bad??? smooth engine aswell?

[bee utey]

And also remember d-gas power comes with slightly lower EGT's, a good combo with a modest turbo-ing.:)

[spudboy]

Is d-gassing a non-turbo a reasonable/economic proposition? Or do you need the turbo to make it worthwhile?

Are there power gains on a normally aspirated diesel, or would you do it to get better overall MPG? Sorry if these are basic questions - have not researched d-gas much at all.

Thanks
David

[Johnno1969]

Diesel W123 Mercs are the best things ever. My brother's driving a 240D, which has been in the family for thirty years. It succeeded Dad's VC Valiant, which was a legend in its own right, and has just kept on keeping on....

[bee utey]

Is d-gassing a non-turbo a reasonable/economic proposition? Or do you need the turbo to make it worthwhile?

Are there power gains on a normally aspirated diesel, or would you do it to get better overall MPG? Sorry if these are basic questions - have not researched d-gas much at all.

Thanks
David

NA diesels I convert need limit switches at both ends of the throttle travel. The high end one cuts gas so overfuelling and black smoke are reduced. In between realistic but slight power gains are to be had, and of course running costs will go down.

Oh and the LPG rebate still applies, so its a low net-cost operation.

[Mick_Marsh]

Mercs were/are safe cars in their time. They had crumple zone technology back in the early 1960's.

[Bigbjorn]

Looks good. Keep you fingers crossed. Old used car trade proverb: There is nothing as ezpensive as a cheap Mercedes.

[big guy]

I think from memory, we share the same Merc mechanic in Norwood, he be able to tell you what turbo if any were suitable.

These cars often clock 1million K's in Africa and Greece, I see no reason why they can't do that here.

Good luck with the Panzer Wagon

[VladTepes]

What was the year range for these W123 models?
How much would a decent W123 merc wagon cost?
I gather the petrols are pretty bad on fuel ?

I see the W124's can be had for under $10K - are they any good? Seems they at least have leccy windows.

[spudboy]

I think from memory, we share the same Merc mechanic in Norwood, he be able to tell you what turbo if any were suitable.

These cars often clock 1million K's in Africa and Greece, I see no reason why they can't do that here.

Good luck with the Panzer Wagon

Yeah - Barrie Green, just off Magill Rd. He is great but must be about ready to retire unfortunately.

He checked out an earlier (much rougher one) I was looking at, but he hasn't looked at this one yet. Will be booking it in to him next week to get a few things attended to.

[spudboy]

What was the year range for these W123 models?
How much would a decent W123 merc wagon cost?
I gather the petrols are pretty bad on fuel ?

I see the W124's can be had for under $10K - are they any good? Seems they at least have leccy windows.

They go from 1976 up to 1985. Later diesels (after '79) are better engines and have slightly more power: 88HP vs 80HP. Which is actually not much power at all.

Petrols are shocking on fuel. My 280CE driven nicely would get 14L/100Km. Fang it at all and it rose to 16L/100. Am hoping for 10 to 11L/100 from the diesel - have heard wildly varying reports going from 7L/100 up to 12L/100. If I expect around 10 I hope not to be disappointed.

W124s are also excellent vehicle. I almost bought one with 195,000Kms on it for my daughter instead of the W123, but she did not like it anywhere near as much. It was an '88 I think, and they only wanted $3,000 for it, so a lot of car for the money.

Like the W123, the W124 are very well built. They have a 6 cyl 3.0L diesel, compared to the 5 cyl on the W123. For $10K you would get an EXCELLENT low mileage W124.

[spudboy]

Vlad: http://www.carsales.com.au/all-cars/private/details.aspx?__Qpb=1&tsrc=allcarhome&__Ntk=CarAll&Cr=1&__Ns=pCar_RankSort_Int32|1||pCar_PriceSort_Decimal |1||pCar_Make_String|0||pCar_Model_String|0&R=9478333&seot=1&__Ntt=w124 diesel&silo=1011&__sid=12D0051FEDB8

$6000: W124 1988 mercedes 300d .STRAIGHT 6 CYL 3.0 LT DEISELS ENGINE. Average consumption is 7-8 lt per 100km.Mercedes is IN A1 CONDITION. ABSOLUTLY NO RUST,NO OIL LEAKS OR COLOR FADING.THIS CAR HAS FACTORY UPGRADED SUSPENSION FOR A EVEN SMOOTHER RIDE .FUEL CONSUMPTION IS AVERAGE 7-8 LT PER 100 KG.LESS ON HWY..MUST INSPECT.

WHITE MERC with grey leather interior and electric windows,cruise control, NO sunroof 315000km.

[VladTepes]

Yeah bvut the diesel is probably slower than my Tdi Deefer !

[stig0000]

well this thread has seem to of found me a very nice benz, well it found me it seems:D:D

its a 1969 280se auto straght 6,,, compleat with blown motor:p

now the hunt starts for a replacment motor, anybody no of merc wreckers or just so happen to have one lying around they want to sell, :angel:

[rovercare]

well this thread has seem to of found me a very nice benz, well it found me it seems:D:D

its a 1969 280se auto straght 6,,, compleat with blown motor:p

now the hunt starts for a replacment motor, anybody no of merc wreckers or just so happen to have one lying around they want to sell, :angel:

Stick an LS1 or something in it:angel:

[Mick_Marsh]

well this thread has seem to of found me a very nice benz, well it found me it seems:D:D

its a 1969 280se auto straght 6,,, compleat with blown motor:p

now the hunt starts for a replacment motor, anybody no of merc wreckers or just so happen to have one lying around they want to sell, :angel:
A W108. I have a W109 (1970 300SEL) and a W112 (1965 300SE Fintail)
This era of Mercedes to me was the era of elegance.
To me, the "lichteinheiten" (those big vertical headlights) are the classic Mercedes look.
They are beautiful vehicles.

[stig0000]

mmmmmmm don't even tempt me, i was thinking of sticking with the 6clys and put a 2j or turboed ford motor and box in but as iv found out the car has wayyyy to much paper work with it to let it pass for original,, its got all the papers right back from when it was new, every service,, every tyre change, all the hand books, so i sorta feel i must keep it standard in all its glory :(:angel:

btw this is ment to be my daily, and even tho a ls1 would go allrite as a daily,, i dont think my licence will:nazilock:

[Mick_Marsh]

mmmmmmm don't even tempt me, i was thinking of sticking with the 6clys and put a 2j or turboed ford motor and box in but as iv found out the car has wayyyy to much paper work with it to let it pass for original,, its got all the papers right back from when it was new, every service,, every tyre change, all the hand books, so i sorta feel i must keep it standard in all its glory :(:angel:

btw this is ment to be my daily, and even tho a ls1 would go allrite as a daily,, i dont think my licence will:nazilock:
Stick a 3.5 in it.
Mine is a 3.5. Goes well.
You might not need an engineers report as some had a 3.5 and some had a 6.3.

[stig0000]

A W108. I have a W109 (1970 300SEL) and a W112 (1965 300SE Fintail)
This era of Mercedes to me was the era of elegance.
To me, the "lichteinheiten" (those big vertical headlights) are the classic Mercedes look.
They are beautiful vehicles.


niceee, very, all tho,, i do think the best looking benz has to be the original gullwing 300SL i think its called??? that car makes my funny spot do funny things,

so im gessing the 3.5 is a v8??? i sorta want to stay with a 6 as the rego up here in QLD is theft

[Mick_Marsh]

niceee, very, all tho,, i do think the best looking benz has to be the original gullwing 300SL i think its called??? that car makes my funny spot do funny things,

so im gessing the 3.5 is a v8??? i sorta want to stay with a 6 as the rego up here in QLD is theft
Mine is the silver one.
http://www.aulro.com/afvb/attachments/victorian-reports/35988d1305628730-wombat-wander-4x4-earth-few-aulro-members-3mercs.jpg

at the back.

Yes, the gull wing is a 300SL and the 3.5 is a V8.

[spudboy]

Mick - that's lovely.

The first sliver one I saw was the middle one, and I was thinking "gawd -fancy Mick having one of them...."

How much would the middle one be worth? I am thinking lots and lots.

[stig0000]

that is brilent,, id love eny one of them cars:( i love that silver,

[Mick_Marsh]

The fellow who owns the gullwing is a really nice, approachable fellow. I'll ask him how much he thinks it's worth next time I see him.
My guess is around $600k but that is a wild guess.

Although no one asked, mine is worth around $15k (both 3.5 and 6.3 although a 6.3 will command a better price) and a 220SE (or 280SE) coupe around $25k. (there's a really nice one for sale in Canberra at the moment).

[stig0000]

600!!!!!!!!!
15k?? wow,, thats good,, i think il keep this standed for sure then,,

the body is all good very lil patch or rust on one side under rear bumper, the intereor is all there bar the head unit, only 2 small cuts in the drivers seat, other then that its all good and htere and just needs a clean, all the timber work is stil in one peace,, just need a motor,, 60miles on the clock

[Mick_Marsh]

600!!!!!!!!!
15k?? wow,, thats good,, i think il keep this standed for sure then,,

the body is all good very lil patch or rust on one side under rear bumper, the intereor is all there bar the head unit, only 2 small cuts in the drivers seat, other then that its all good and htere and just needs a clean, all the timber work is stil in one peace,, just need a motor,, 60miles on the clock
A 280SE W108 wouldn't be worth $15k but a very good example can't be far off. The W108/109 have already reached the lowest point of their value and values are increasing. They are worth more to a collector in their standard form. The last few I have seen sold fetched about $400 to $2000 but they were in poor condition with lots of rust.
Rust is a problem with these. Check the sills, especially around the jacking points and in the front guard where the wheel flicks up the stones.

[clubagreenie]

but as iv found out the car has wayyyy to much paper work with it to let it pass for original,, its got all the papers right back from when it was new, every service,, every tyre change, all the hand books, so i sorta feel i must keep it standard in all its glory :(:angel:

If it's that original, why not rebuild and keep it with the original numbers as well. I'd be the first to promote a big single turbo 1.5J in it except in this case. Or a 2UZ or LS7.

[VladTepes]

Yep thpse old Mercs were well cool !

[stig0000]

the main reason i want to keep it stock tho is im not keen on engine changes and geting the hole thing engineered, i dont have the money for that big of a project, :angel:

[bee utey]

The later 250 sedans (73-74) ran the 2.8 single cam engine too, shouldn't be hard to find one of those somewhere.

[B92 8NW]

Looks like a great buy! A bloke at work drops in with a 300CD Turbodiesel he built from a 280CE. Turbo clearance on RHD models is tight. Literally 2mm.

We have a 280SL in the driveway here at the moment. Dad's offered me a ride in it but I'm too frightened to breathe on it let alone passenger in it.

[loanrangie]

Looks like a great buy! A bloke at work drops in with a 300CD Turbodiesel he built from a 280CE. Turbo clearance on RHD models is tight. Literally 2mm.

We have a 280SL in the driveway here at the moment. Dad's offered me a ride in it but I'm too frightened to breathe on it let alone passenger in it.

My old man has a nice 280sl as well - he actually lets me drive it, not the CLK320 though:(.

[stig0000]

well i got this benz from this thread/ forum, and thanks heeeaapps to him:D you no who you are:angel:

once its moved into the garage il take some pics and post em,

[spudboy]

Well, I have had a lovely time fixing up a few things on my daughter's car.

These old Benz's are so nicely built, they are a pleasure to work on. Even at 30 years old, they still come apart nicely.

So far I have:
- done the valves - they were all pretty close to spec.
- Fixed the blower fan with a $6 pair of carbon brushes. Mercedes do not sell the brushes (they want you to buy a whole new fan unit for around $500) so I had to track down some larger brushes and grind them down to size. Easy, and now it blows very nicely. This also had the effect of making the air-conditioning run.
- New engine oil/filters
- Fixed a melted fuse holder in fuse box. The heater tends to overload the fuse, and it melts the plastic around the fuse.
- put on 4 new tyres. Just Korean cheapies, but so much better than the old cracked half bald ones. $90 each fitted, balanced and wheel aligned.
- New windscreen wipers.
- Fixed the "crazy fuel gauge" syndrome, where the needle flaps all over the place, by cleaning all the crud out of the sender unit.

So all up - probably spent about $500 on top of the purchase price. Hopefully it will go nicely for the next couple of years & she will have some cheap semi-luxury motoring.

If only I could find a turbo-diesel W123. I'd buy it for my daily driver. A non-turbo is just a bit slow for going up and down the Adelaide Hills roads.

Brilliant fuel economy (assuming the gauge is accurate) as I have done 300Km and only used a quarter of a tank.

Cheers
David

[spudboy]

Just as a follow up for anyone wanting MB spares, get in touch with a place in Canberra called MB Spares and Service. Australia's leading Mercedes-Benz website (http://www.mbspares.com.au/)

Way cheaper than your local AutoPro, Repco or SupaCheap store in my experience.

E.g.: Got a Ryco oil filter from Repco for the W123, for $42 (down from $50 'cause I haggled). The real Mercedes filter from MB spares was about half that.

Go figure.....

Anyway - if you need a bunch of parts, it is worth contacting them.

[Mick_Marsh]

Just as a follow up for anyone wanting MB spares, get in touch with a place in Canberra called MB Spares and Service. Australia's leading Mercedes-Benz website (http://www.mbspares.com.au/)

Way cheaper than your local AutoPro, Repco or SupaCheap store in my experience.

E.g.: Got a Ryco oil filter from Repco for the W123, for $42 (down from $50 'cause I haggled). The real Mercedes filter from MB spares was about half that.

Go figure.....

Anyway - if you need a bunch of parts, it is worth contacting them.
Mr Green (MB Sares) is the major sponsor of the OZBenz site.
There are other contacts Mercedes owners need to know about and I'll be happy to let you know those I know about in a PM.
I hope all you Merc owners enjoy the Mercedes experience as I have.

[stig0000]

iv founda motor for my panzer tank but its in vic:( any recomandations for a good cheap shipment up to sunny coast for somthing that big and heavy;)

and im getting me front windscreen replaced for 260$ and allso they have one in stock!! how good is that for car that old:D

[Mick_Marsh]

iv founda motor for my panzer tank but its in vic:( any recomandations for a good cheap shipment up to sunny coast for somthing that big and heavy;)

and im getting me front windscreen replaced for 260$ and allso they have one in stock!! how good is that for car that old:D
Is that from Chris?
I can probably start it off up the line.
How urgently do you want it?
You could use these guys: Courier, Parcel Delivery & Shipping Services in Australia:Same Day Delivery (http://www.e-go.com.au/home.do)
I might be able to get it from Chris to the Gisborne depot.

[clubagreenie]

A tank with a windscreen? Desinged by the irish by the same guy that did the sunmarine with portholes and flyscreens?

Is the engine on a pallet or similar? I used a company called hunter express to ship an engine to vic from sydney for less than $100- . They do mostly local sydney stuff but organise loads to jump onto free space with others. The receiver actually organised it, driver turned up with all paperwork morning of collection. Discussed packaging. Came back later to collect. Was brilliant.

[Mick_Marsh]

A tank with a windscreen? Desinged by the irish by the same guy that did the sunmarine with portholes and flyscreens?
That's the one!

[stig0000]

yer it is from him,,

well as in urgent? i would like it asap as i gota get it on the rd as the defender is coming off soon, this is going to be my daily( i hope:angel:)

but i allso dont want to spent stupeds amount of money just getting the thing up here, e-go looks good and they say 50% depo to depo, and the kunda park depo is just down the rd from me so that would be easy pick up,

he was getting me qoutes now on shippment, i got one yesterday of 500$!!!

thanks nic

[Mick_Marsh]

yer it is from him,,

well as in urgent? i would like it asap as i gota get it on the rd as the defender is coming off soon, this is going to be my daily( i hope:angel:)

but i allso dont want to spent stupeds amount of money just getting the thing up here, e-go looks good and they say 50% depo to depo, and the kunda park depo is just down the rd from me so that would be easy pick up,

he was getting me qoutes now on shippment, i got one yesterday of 500$!!!

thanks nic
I'll be seeing Chris on Monday night. I'll have a chat with him.
I'll be picking up a 220SE motor from him in a month or so and transporting to Maldon. I'll be collecting other parts sooner.

[stig0000]

wow,, he gave me a qoute of 600 for postige,

a qwick one on ego as 300 dep to dep:(

[spudboy]

How much was the 'new' engine?

[stig0000]

1000 long or 1800 with all ancillaries

and so far been the only one iv found

[Mick_Marsh]

Just in case anyone is interested in a classic Merc., I found this W108 on ebay
1969 Mercedes Benz 280S W108 93000km | eBay (http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/1969-Mercedes-Benz-280S-W108-93000km-/120732411903?pt=AU_Cars&hash=item1c1c3667ff)
Wouldn't mind it myself.

[stig0000]

wow,, thats neat,, well update on my tank, engine is just not viabull getting from vic, so time to go all out, i have a 1jz at my finger tips and just getting info now for a place to fit it up, :D:D

hopefully will be happning very soon:cool:

i havnt put pics up yet have i:angel: think il start another thread for that tho:wasntme:

[clubagreenie]

Build it as a 1.5JZ with a big single. Just stay away from Titan in the US. Anyone that sells a fuel rail upgrade which is simply an anodized length of stock extrusion, claims massive proven improvements but when called on it on certain forums have you banned... :wasntme:

[stig0000]

Build it as a 1.5JZ with a big single. Just stay away from Titan in the US. Anyone that sells a fuel rail upgrade which is simply an anodized length of stock extrusion, claims massive proven improvements but when called on it on certain forums have you banned... :wasntme:

yer im tossing to keep it twins or single:twisted: but this is a cruse car,, so not after masssive power, but should still get up and go allrite when needed:p in a few yrs it may even make a appearance at power cruse:twisted:

[stig0000]

well just a update on the hyjacked thread, the tank has gone into the shop for the motor fittment, when i get it back its just up to me to fitt the cooling and a colpe other tiny time wasting jobs,,, then i can start on makeing it look the best it can,,, so much for my search for a 500 buck banger :wasntme:

[Mick_Marsh]

I might be able to get a couple of rims for you.
You could use the AULRO courier service to get them up to you.
I think maybe someone from here might be going up soon.

[B92 8NW]

I have a Bundt alloy here. It's missing the centre cap, its rather grubby and has a completely ****ed tyre on it.

With the my high appraisal of it, its free for the taking.

[spudboy]

Well I have a spare Bundt "hub-cap" if you want it. It doesn't have all the tabs but with a small spot of glue it noone would ever know. That'd be free too :)

[stig0000]

Wow.. thanks heaps guys but ima wate a for a week for them to get the mvar up and running... then look into rims and that...

[spudboy]

I just got some new Injector Nozzles delivered today, so am planning to fit them over the weekend. It is idling roughly (and it 'clangs' a bit), so I am hoping I have a dud injector.

I tried doing some power-flushes with diesel tretments, but no improvement. I have also heard that they shake around a lot if the engine mounts are gone too, but am going to try the injectors first.

Description of how the job is done here: Mercedes Injector Nozzle Replacement (http://www.dieselgiant.com/mercedesinjectornozzlereplace.htm)

Doesn't look too bad.

Cheers
David

BTW - the new nozzles are from DieselGiant (Bosio brand - supposed to be better then the original Bosch units).

[spudboy]

My old injector nozzles must have been full of gunk, because she now idles like a purring cat. No more clunking noises or missing.

The hardest part of the job was making a special tool to get the injectors out. I had to buy a cheapie 27mm socket, cut it half and extend it by about 4 inches to get over the top part of the injectors.

Other than that - pretty straightforward job & I can recommend it if your diesel is idling badly.

Every time I work on this car I am impressed by how nicely built they are :p

[stig0000]

Im like that every time i get in mine to check sumthing out... every feels so soled and strong... every thing works as it should( bar wiper switcg) but is a easy fix.. i thort rangie classics had the best sounding door thud... got nuthen on the benz now

[spudboy]

Do you have flickering or jumping fuel/temp gauges on the dash? If so, it is a quick and simple fix to get them calmed down again.

The issue is usually a bad earth on the instrument cluster.

Took mine out yesterday and added an extra earthing wire from the steering column tin-work to the cluster. Took all of half an hour.

Now my gauges are rock steady, and don't read 'high' all the time. Easy fix.

[stig0000]

thats good stuff,, well my jz powerd merc is home, just gota do the time wasting fiddaly stuff now,, refit the rad,, do the IC pipeing, get a bigger fuel pump,, and its a goer:D:D:D