1980 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series

300sd Sedan

5 - Cyl.

Automatic

11612012026914

Clear

Diesel

1980 Mercedes Benz 300SD. 116 Chassis. 5 cylinder turbo diesel motor. Automatic transmission. 155,XXX true miles. Purchased this vehicle as an alternative fuel project for myself when gas hit $4 a gallon and I was driving a V8 that drank premuim. I have never run this vehicle on anything but diesel fuel. My plan was to run it on biodiesel or veggie oil, but never got to completion. Power windows all work. RF is off track - needs to be taken apart and repaired. Great big power sunroof works. Equipped with power locks, but they've never worked. A/C worked when I got it, but I never used it. I have installed several alternative fuel add-ons over the years. I have never completed wiring, controls, switches, relays, etc. for the various heaters. Here's what its got: 1. Glow plug based preheater under the fuel tank with a VDO temperature sender installed. 2. Line heaters on each individual injector line. 3. Glow plug and coolant based heater block under the hood - glow plug never wired completely, but coolant preheater is plumbed and does work 4. Water separating filter with fuel pressure gauge and another VDO temperature sending unit. Other modifications include: 1. EGR bypassed / blocked off 2. Air cleaner replaced with Saab 900 Turbo derived intake plumbing 3. Saab 9000 Aero grey leather seats installed. Front power adjustment works. No heaters. Uses original Benz seat belts. Best modification on the car - fantastic driving position, lumbar support, lateral support. 4. Original plastic headlight "doors" replaced with diamond plate surrounds. 5. Original front bumper overriders replaced with steel stock and more aluminum diamond plate. Rear overriders just fell off and the RR bumper end is held on with a bungee cord. Free with purchase. 6. Vacuum based automatic climate control modified with: Volvo 740 fan switch and resistor - all four speeds work; heater control valve replaced with simple VW Rabbit valve controlled by mechanical cable - plentiful heat; two 12v sockets below the radio for cell phone, navigation, radar detector (hah!), etc. 7. Ignition key wouldn't turn in the cylinder one day, so I took it upon myself to eliminate the key all together and replaced it with a mechanical switch based around a Saab 900 reverse gear. Works beautifully. Boggles your passengers' minds. Key still locks / unlocks doors and trunk. 8. Volvo 100 amp alternator in place of original 60(?) amp alternator. Its a Nippondenso unit used in 700/900 series Volvos. Chose it because it operates off two belts like the original and I've seen exactly one fail in 13 years of working on Swedish cars. The engine is fantastic. Seeps some oil from various seals / gaskets. Most significant is from oil cooler hoses. Nothing leaks so bad that I've felt it necessary to replace parts and I'm picky. No excessive smoke. I drove this car for a winter and it started on all but the coldest morning - I think it was 5-10 below. Does have a block heater, but I've never been too sure if it works. Transmission is great. Never given it a second thought. Crisp accurate shifts every time. Odometer and speedometer work and are accurate. Tachometer works when it wants to. Fuel gauge works. Temperature gauge used to be accurate, but driving it around recently it doesn't move much anymore. Don't know is its an open thermostat or something electrical. Rear tires are very healthy Nordman (Nokian) snows. 14 inch. I have another rim and tire that goes with the car. There is also another full sized spare. Front tires are worn Nokian snows. The LF tire has worn on the outside edge over the few thousand miles I've put on the car this year. Haven't found a worn front end part, so maybe its just time for an alignment. The body has dents, imperfections, peeling paint and rust. The floors are solid. At one time I hastily put some POR 15 on the rockers and doors. I don't see the body becoming a structural or inspection issue for many, many years. I get 30 mpg every time. It is fast, huge and heavy. I drive in the left lane. I have been reluctant to sell because I fall in love with it every time I drive it, but I've made up my mind to sell it outright with a low reserve auction. I've been as honest as I can be. Its a 30 year old European car that has been used, not preserved or babied or restored or waxed. That being said, there is no other one like it. Let the bidding begin!