Author Topic: 1976 300D Info  (Read 8607 times)

J. Huber

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1976 300D Info
« on: May 15, 2015, 23:23:16 »
Was not sure if this goes "in other" cars or here...

Hey. I am sort of in the market for a third vehicle (fourth actually) -- I have two teenage drivers wrestling me over the two trucks we have and I end up driving the Pagoda... So we need one more...

So I work with a guy who is wanting to sell his 1976 300D (w114/115)... It is very straight and clean (service records from start I think) but has 200K plus miles and a few possibly minor issues (described as glow-plug problem and vacuum something which hinders starting right up?). He drives it to work often so its a starting issue not a running issue... but I know zero about diesels or these cars... Anybody familiar with this particular model -- any glaring issues to be wary of?


James



James
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wwheeler

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #1 on: May 16, 2015, 03:58:30 »
I had to look this up as I am not an expert on these cars. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mercedes-Benz_W114  So it looks like the straight five cylinder 300D (OM 617) was made from '74 to '76 in the W115 car and not that many were made. The W114/115 cars are stout although not collectable. The diesels of that age are noisy, slow but last forever. If the diesel engine has been cared for, I don't think 200K is a big problem. The key words are "cared for". If not, who knows. The OM 617 is similar to the engine used in the W123 cars that are known to be tank like.

I certainly think it would be a good idea to get it checked out. Any major rust would kill the deal for sure.   
 
Wallace
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Cees Klumper

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #2 on: May 16, 2015, 05:37:01 »
I'd go for an eigthies 300D W123 chassis. I had an '82 one for about a year until I moved back from US to Europe and to this day it's one of my favorite cars. It should have a 5 cylinder but with turbo, adding a good amount of HP and torque to the package. They were made in sedan, coupe and stationwagon trim and I particularly like the coupe. They also maintain their value.
Cees Klumper
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WRe

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #3 on: May 16, 2015, 06:09:31 »
Hi,
afaik there was never a 300D /8 (W115) but a "240D 3.0" with a 3 litre diesel engine (1974-76). The first "real" 300D was introduced in 1976 as W123.
...WRe

wwheeler

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #4 on: May 16, 2015, 15:09:28 »
Hi,
afaik there was never a 300D /8 (W115) but a "240D 3.0" with a 3 litre diesel engine (1974-76). The first "real" 300D was introduced in 1976 as W123.
...WRe

True, sort of like the 280SE 3.5 W111. Mercedes had a bit of a naming issue in the 70s. I would also take the W123 over a W115. The estates are very cool and getting pricey. I came close to getting an'84 300D turbo many years ago, but the deal fell through. That is what ultimately led me to my current W111. Not sure the W123 is an option here though.
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6

J. Huber

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #5 on: May 16, 2015, 15:15:37 »
Good input guys. After looking at the wikipedia link, I would say we are looking at a W115.114 with an OM617 diesel I5 engine. As far as rust -- I will look carefully but I am somewhat optimistic -- California car where it never, ever seems to rain  :o

More importantly, does the car look like a good stablemate for my Pagoda???

And any price ranges you would consider reasonable??
James
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J. Huber

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #6 on: May 16, 2015, 15:21:18 »
Thought I better grey out the plates on pic two...
James
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wwheeler

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #7 on: May 16, 2015, 18:14:44 »
I like it! If I am not mistaken, that is close to the same model (240D) as the Greek taxi that had 4.6 million KM. Probably never going to be worth much, but I don't think you care about that. Hagarty has it for average value of $7,000 or so.
Wallace
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Rolf-Dieter ✝︎

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #8 on: May 16, 2015, 19:28:38 »
James, any Benz makes a good stablemate for a Pagoda :)

I never heard any rumblings from my garage my Pagoda does have a Benz as a stablemate :) so no worries.
DD 2011 SL 63 AMG and my 69 Pagoda 280 SL

Cees Klumper

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #9 on: May 16, 2015, 19:39:13 »
Actually I'd look into getting a Merc of about 10-15 yrs old. Cheaper and far better mechanically, in terms of safety, comfort, power and fuel economy than a W115 or W123. You already have the most beautiful classic Mercedes there is, so ...
Cees Klumper
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sandcrab59

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #10 on: May 17, 2015, 12:05:22 »
Cees:
You are slightly off the mark. As told to me by a very good German Mechanic in Sarasota FLA, The best mechanically sound M/B cars are prior to 1995.
After that year they fall apart after 4 years, the warranty period.
He has seen a letter from M/B directly from the factory which states this fact.

I have owned Diesels since 1972, and they are the best, as long as they are properly maintained you can obtain about  500,000 miles at least.
I have owned and still have all these cars, but some of them are ready for the junk yard. Living in New England. Salt destroys these cars even though you wash them every time you are in salt.
They are, 1968 200D Junk (extremely noisy but a great car, W110), 1972 220D W115, still in use, 1974 240D W115 117, Junk,  1977 240D W123, Junk, and still in use is my 1982 and 1983 300SD, W126.

The car mentioned above is W115.114 300D, which I never new existed. Looks like a good car, check for rust underneath, put in up on a lift.
You can verify this by going on the EPC M/B parts catalog, cost is $25 per a year. You can verify all parts for all M/B cars all over the world.
These cars that old do not go for much money, at least in the East.
I would not pay any more than a $1,000 for it.
I can buy my 300SD's for about $1800 to $2500 around here.

So if this car does not have any rust, go for it even with the high mileage.
But do not pay $7500.

Now the other point made was about how would it look with your other M/B cars.
They look great.
When I line up my 1968 200D, 1972 220D, 1974 240D, 1977 240D, 1982 & 1983 300SD, 1967 250SL & 1971 280SL  side by side, they are fantastic.
You look at the grills side by side and they are fantastic.
Then you know you really are a M/B owner.
By the way, the 1972 220D was the only car I bought new. Picked it up in Stuttgart Germany at the factory.
All the others were bought used.






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perry113

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #11 on: May 17, 2015, 14:16:45 »
I really the vintage look and construction of the W114 W115 cars. The W123 will hold up better corrosion wise against the elements than the W114 W115
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Cees Klumper

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #12 on: May 17, 2015, 15:49:05 »
Cees:
You are slightly off the mark. As told to me by a very good German Mechanic in Sarasota FLA, The best mechanically sound M/B cars are prior to 1995. After that year they fall apart after 4 years, the warranty period. He has seen a letter from M/B directly from the factory which states this fact.

I suppose that's why modern luxury Mercedes are so relatively cheap used these days.
In that case, go for a 2002-2004 Volvo, like an S80 T6 or a C70 convertible. Those are my daily drivers, they for sure don't fall apart after 4 years, I bought them both used, one was 4 years and one 7; I've put a combined 220 thousand miles on them and they're still like new, and have had very few issues (2 or so) other than normal wear and tear things.

Anyways, I guess then if you want to stick with Mercedes then older than '95 it is ...
Cees Klumper
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wwheeler

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Re: 1976 300D Info
« Reply #13 on: June 26, 2015, 19:15:16 »
I just saw this. Here is what you want to find if you are in the market for that model.

 http://blog.hemmings.com/index.php/2015/06/26/hemmings-find-of-the-day-1976-mercedes-benz-230/?refer=news
Wallace
Texas
'68 280SE W111 coupe
'60 220SE W128 coupe
'70 Plymouth Roadrunner 440+6