1980 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series

300SD Sedan

5 - Cyl.

Automatic

11612012024702

Clear

Diesel

I bought this car in the fall of 1985 from Beaumont Motors, Beaumont TX. They sold the car new to a local resident. He drove it for 5 years, and traded it in on a new Mercedes. I drove the car almost daily until the fall of 2009, when I bought an E320. Since then I have driven it at least weekly and it has been in a climate controlled garage. This car has been maintained by a Master German mechanic here in San Antonio. In my opinion, there is not a better mechanic in the country. The car has always been garaged, seldom driven in bad weather, and serviced regularly. The oil has been changed every 3000 miles and I have always used a fuel additive with every fill up. The car gets between 28 and 30 MPG highway, and around 25 in town. It has not been in an accident since I bought it and I doubt it was before that. The seats have been repadded. There are no rips or tears in the upholstery. The headliner and the dash are in excellent condition. This car should provide the buyer with dependable, reliable, transportation for many years to come, and I believe it will appreciate in the process. We drove our first diesel over 550,000 miles without any major repairs. I do not believe anyone has ever smoked in the car, certainly not since I have owned it. The windows have all been tinted. NADA shows a value of between $7,000 and $10,000. Frankly, I have not seen a "cleaner car" of this vintage recently. Remember, this car is all metal - no plastic, and it is not run by an electronic "box". They don't build cars like this any more is trite, but true. There are a few minor items that "could" be repaired. Nothing listed here pertains to the performance, the safety, or the serviceability of the car in any way. You can repair these items or not, your choice. I am not aware of anything else "wrong" with the car. 1) The left rear window regulator is "weak" - but functional. The regulator raises and lowers the electric windows. The motor itself is fine. 2) The tachometer is "intermittent" - most likely the "sending" unit in the engine compartment. 3) There are two small leaks on the windshield (lower right and lower left corners). The windshield and gasket were both replaced at the same time. I have not had it looked at since I usually don't take it out in the rain. 4) The radio antenna does not retract "all the way". 5) The tint "film" on the driver's door window could be replaced - it's "wrinkling" a little on the front lower edge - up about an inch from the bottom of the window, and perhaps eight inches long, front to back. And finally, since this is a turbo diesel, there are the usual small oil leaks that are normal with all turbos. I have never had to add any oil between changes, so obviously, they are minor.