You are looking at a 1979 Mercedes-Benz 300SD Turbo Diesel that has been a Texas car all of it's life. It is finished in light ivory paint (MB Paint code 623) with a bamboo interior (MB interior code 104) Upholstery is MB Tex and not leather which is a lot more durable than leather interior. I am the second owner of this car and the previous owner lived in San Antonio. When I purchased it, the owners Son took it over and drove it, and pretty much drove it to where it ran rough due to lack of regular maintenance from not properly adjusting the valves. Ever since I took possession of this car a little over two years ago, it has been garaged, loved, pampered, and mostly all of the maintenance was done at a local Mercedes-Benz dealer because I work for Mercedes-Benz. Therefore, only Mercedes-Benz genuine parts and technicians have touched this car besides myself. The reason I am selling this car is because I need to purchase a Tahoe so I can haul a trailer or a boat. I have two other Mercedes' and I will not keep it outside in the elements. Just my preference and standard. This car has been garaged in a climate controlled environment right next to my SL.
MechanicalSince I have owned this car, I have replaced or installed the following:
Timing Chain
Timing Chain Tensioner
Camshaft
Camshaft Sprocket
Rocker Arms
Both oil cooler lines
Both transmission cooler lines
Oil pan
K&N Air filter
Electronic Climate Control Servo
A/C Compressor and Evaporator
Radiator
Thermostat
Fan Clutch
Upgraded from a five blade fan to an eight blade cooling fan
Brand new Garrett turbocharger (impeller shaft on previous one had a little bit of play)
Intake and exhaust manifold gaskets during new turbo install
Oil turbo drain seals
RheostatShifter Bushings
Steering lock
V-Belts
Block heater
Front pads and rotors 100 miles ago
Brake fluid flush
MB battery
Battery tray
Upper and lower radiator hoses
Front and rear windshield gaskets
All four door seals
Trunk seal
Hood Pad
Both left and right window switches
Oil filter housing gasketInterior wood refinished
Dash cap
A/C blower motor
Tinted windows (ceramic tint)
All four headlights
All taillight bulbs
Three of the four seat handles that commonly break
Fuse box cover
All aluminum fuses with copper fuses
Aftermarket radio antenna with a non-powered Hirschmann antenna
New Polk rear speakers
Took out old school Alpine unit and replaced with Pioneer unit..has bluetooth, Pandora, detachable face, remote
Front and rear Bilstein shocks
Gas cap
Gas door overflow hose
Powder coated faded factory wheels to hyper silver
Front and rear flex discs
Lubed sunroof tracks
Replaced fuel filters
Valve adjustment/new valve cover gasket
Lubed throttle linkages
Floor mats
So, as you can see, I've put a lot of time, money, effort, and energy to get it to where it needs to be. Of course, with anything, it's always an ongoing effort and process. However to me, that's what makes it so good and fun because it has definitely come a long way from where it was when I got it, and I can see the fruits from the labor.
More About the Car
So, with this being a timeless classic, and it being a 38 year old car, the car has 208,8xx original miles, and it is my daily personal car. If you calculate that, it's only 5,495 miles per year. With this said, I believe this car sat out in a driveway instead of a garage because the car has been re-painted by the original owner. The tiny ding on the left rear fender corner was done by the first owner as well. There are the normal door dings on the car that other people have given so much regard for your car in parking lots, but this is how I got the car and haven't done anything about it. The car drives, shifts, accelerates and performs as it should. Even the kick down switch works. If you are not familiar with that, it's the button under the accelerator pedal that when it is mashed on from a stop light, it will start the car off in first gear instead of second gear. I did however, work on the inner part of the wheel wells since they are body matched to the rest of the car, Ive worked on the paint and brought up the shine as it should look, the chrome is polished, and this car actually gets some really good looks from other Mercedes-Benz and non Mercedes owners. Being a member of the Mercedes-Benz Club of America for 20 years, and this being my 30th Mercedes, this is by far in the top five of my favorites I've ever owned. I adjusted the valves myself like 5,000 miles ago and will need to be done again in 10,000 more miles. The oil was just changed again due to the fact that the oil filter housing gasket was seeping and it was enough to put a drop of oil on my driveway. I noticed that the power steering gearbox will need to be resealed at some time. It is wet, but not dripping or whining when turning. As a matter of fact, it's been like this since Ive had it. Tires on the car are of a Firestone brand and were put on by the previous owner. I agreed that as soon as these tires wore out, I would just put Michelins on it. The Firestones have around 50% tread on them. the Drivers side front has wear on the outer ridge due to the tight corner I have to make when I pull into my driveway...which is a normal thing. The spare tire in the trunk is the original tire since new. the wheel still has the cosmolene on it, and all of the factory markings from Germany.
Air Conditioning
The air conditioning system was converted by the previous owner from R-12 to R-134a. I replaced the compressor about a year ago as well as the evaporator and drier. I evacuated and recharged the system and just replaced the Delco R4 compressor seals on the back side of the compressor last week because they were leaking. I also went ahead and had the suction line hoses that go to the compressor "re-trued" because they were a known problem on the W116's. The air conditioning system blows cold and is good to go! A must have in Texas!
Interior
Interior on this car is pretty solid! There arent any burn holes, rips, gouges, or any signs of abuse on the carpeting or seats from abuse or neglect. However, the drivers side seat bottom closest to the floor has a tear just due to sitting in and getting out of and the natural crease just giving way. Purely cosmetic.....I installed new factory floor mats for the car to provide ample protection to the carpet. The dash, naturally, had cracks in it just due to age and installed a high quality dash cap to protect the vehicle. I decided to keep the dash cap loose so that the new owner, if they choose to take part of the dash out to take out the climate control sensor, put the dash cap back on, and silicone it in the key areas. The silicone will go with the car. I also purchased a custom sun shade to protect the interior as well when it was outside in the elements. That also goes with the car. As stated before, I took out all of the zebrano wood on the dash and console and sent it to San Diego to have it all re lacquered and it looks absolutely stunning! The windows in the rear work, but don't work very well. Therefore, I haven't rolled them down since I bought the vehicle. The windows in the front work as they should but I'm sure have slowed down a little since new I'm sure. The Sunroof works as it should. The cruise control or central locking system do not work. Nor does the rear window defrost. To me, that's no big deal, but wanted to disclose as much as I could to you. All of the gauges work...even the tach and odometer!
Disclosure
As stated before, this car is 38 years old and it will continuously need to be kept up with love, care, and continued maintenance. However, as it is right now, this car needs absolutely nothing mechanically. It is solid as a rock! I have disclosed as much as I could to you as I would want it to be the same way if I were looking for a car like this. I do have a reserve on this car, and am not willing to disclose it. It would not be fair to others. However, I feel that it is priced right, because the car is right. The car will be sold AS/IS-WHERE/IS and no warranties will be implied. This is also my daily driver. Therefore, the mileage will show differently when it is sold. Once the car is sold and funds have changed hands, the car will be kept in the garage, undriven until it has been picked up by the new owner.
Shipping
Depending on where you are, I am located about 25 miles North of Dallas Love Field and 25 miles from D/FW airport if you so choose to fly in and drive it home. However, if you want to have it shipped, I would be glad to work with whomever you choose to use and will be as flexible as I can for them in order to pick the car up. If you are out of the country, then you can have the car picked up by a shipping company called DAS (Dependable Auto Shippers) and they will take care of it from beginning to end for you.
Payment
This is how this needs to be done. We can do cash in person, a direct bank wire from your banking institution to my credit union (routing number and other info will be given when the time comes), cashiers check (verification of funds will be performed by my credit union before car and title is released) or you can pay through PayPal but you will be responsible for the 3% fee. I will not accept personal checks unless funds have been verified first by my banking institution. After auction end, I will require a $500 deposit to show sincere intent and I will require you, the winner, to establish communique with me within 24 hours so that we can get the ball rolling in the most efficient manner.
Please feel free to ask as many questions as you'd like. I have nothing to hide but for you to know as much as you can about this car. You can message me on here or you can call me on my cell at, 214-325-3147. My name is Lee. Good luck!
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