1987 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series

Turbo Wagon

5 - Cyl.

Automatic

WDBEB93D9HF046615

Diesel

LOW RESERVE: For sale is this rare 1987 300TD Station Wagon, with the Elsbett one-tank conversion allowing it to run on WVO/SVO, diesel, biodiesel, and any combination of those. Vehicle was purchased with 113,000 miles for my wife's daily driver, and divorce forces sale. Conversion was done at 119,000 miles, and the following service has been done to the car: New Alternator; New Serpentine Belt; New Timing Chain, Water Pump, and Vacuum Pump; Tranny flush and fill with synthetic ATF; Cooling system flush and fill; Differential drain and fill with synthetic ATF; New Overload Protection Relay. Upgrades include 1998 E-Class rims (tires 75% tread), window tint (Virginia legal); Snow Performance Water/Methanol Injection system (boosts power, reduces exhaust temps, and keeps the rings from coking up from the WVO--I did have an issue with low compression in one cylinder from a sticking ring, and this helped); clear turn signal lenses; K&N permanent air filter. Interior is very clean (typical wear and issues with this vintage car); wood is very presentable, and the indestructable MB Tex still looks fresh. New correct floor mats and cargo mat. Exterior is straight, no rust in the jack points or elsewhere, aside from some very small bubbles along the trim strip on the right-rear quarter window. Paint is original, with good luster, though there is some staining particularly in the front (doesn't show up on pictures that well), but I suspect that a competent detail shop could clean and buff it back. There are the typical minor dings and scratches expected from a 23 year-old car Please note this is not a "beater" grease car--it presents very nicely, but does have its flaws: fuel gauge is non-functional (It's the sending unit in the tank); A/C has been serviced, but cooling is still marginal (suspect a relay or control unit); the cruise control does not always hold speed; I broke the right side headlight surround when I leaned on with my palm, thus the duct tape; new high-erformance speakers are installed, but the factory stereo is not wired. The odometer is 500 shy of the correct mileage--the odometer broke (typical VDO gauge issue), and it took me 500 miles to get around to fixing it. In the interests of full disclosure, I did tell DMV to note that the mileage is not as stated, and the title reflects that. Motor mounts will probably need to be addressed soon, as the engine has some shake. Now the major issue--after getting this car from my wife a couple weeks ago, I drove 300+ miles through the mountains, the car ran like a champ, getting 23+ MPG on WVO. On the way home, running on diesel, the car gradually lost power, and after parking, would not start. Got a tow home and after sitting for a day, it started and ran fine again. A fuel pressure test revealed that, apparently, the relief (overflow) valve in the injection pump was sticking intermittently, giving a random low-pressure/low-power problem. I have put a generic fuel-pressure regulator in to resolve that problem, but have not had the opportunity to drive out on the highway, and cannot assure the car's reliability at this point. So, PLEASE BE ADVISED that you are buying a car with a known, and potentially unresolved, mechanical problem. I would STRONGLY urge the winning bidder to trailer this vehicle to his or her destination. Which brings us to why I am selling this vehicle. I always liked this car, but did not particularly want to own it. As it turned out, my wife got the Ford Excursion, and I got this. I already have an Elsbett-converted MB 300GD, and don't need another WVO-powered car. Plus, it's bad enough going through a divorce, but having to fix the car you ended up with is even worse, and requires more time and patience than I have right now. So, I am offering this vehicle at a relatively low reserve so it can find a new home quickly. As with any vehicle, I highly recommend coming to see it first before bidding, and asking all your questions up front. If you have doubts, or are not a serious buyer, do not bid, and save us each some time. Failure by the winning bidder to pay for, or pick up, the car within the agreed-upon time shall give the seller the right to relist the car for sale to another, without penalty.