1992 Mercedes-Benz 300-Series

300D 2.5 turbo 4 door sedan

5 cylinder turbo diesel

Automatic

WDBEB28D2NB729971

Salvage

Diesel

Note: Although listed as "salvage," this car has a clear title, but, as described below, the condition of the body is rough, and the car will not pass WV inspection because of the doughnut tire, front left. The faulty title listing is due to an error caused by sloppy clerical work from the Eire Ins. Company at the time of purchase. I chose this car for its amazing fuel mileage: 44 mpg at 45 mph; over 40 mpg at regular highway speeds. This car came to me after an accident as the only 2.5 on the web at the time I bought it (Sept, 2009). The price was $1,800 at Manchester, NH. (The original registration had been in Massachusetts.) I immediately invested another $1,900 to bring the car up to par. It's been a faithful and dependable daily driver for the last 50,000 miles. I've had only to change the oil and once the brake pads. But then last summer the left front spring dislodged and dropped onto a street near my home. The car with its drooping front end looked like it had been "chopped." I immediately drove the car 225 miles to my amazing, ever resourceful Mercedes mechanic, Junior Gunter, in Rock Hill, SC. (www.guntermercedes.com) He fashioned an ad hoc repair by wrapping the offending front left spring around the front left shock absorber. His ingenious repair has worked flawlessly now for 6 months. The car now stands as it should, but the ride is a bit choppier than it used to, and the spring tends to groan when the wheels are turned sharply. The car now requires a narrow, doughnut tire, front left, For this reason, it will not pass WV inspection. I suggest the buyer use it as a "farm vehicle" or register it in any state not requiring an inspection. Of course it can also be parted out. The engine is especially good. The car can be driven anywhere, and safely, at regular highway speeds (70 mph). I shall include the regular tire, wheel, and hub. They do not fit using the current arrangement. Since sound is very important to me, I will remove a JVC HD tuner from the dash and a McIntosh amplifier with accessories from the trunk. If you wish, I will substitute an appropriate radio from Panasonic (CD,AM,FM), another JVC-HD tuner, or Becker (CD, AM, FM-RDS). Each will have ample oomph to power the MBZ speakers. I am debating what to do about the Godar DXR1000-C FM antenna (http://www.godarusa.com/id83.html). Last summer I removed a working Hirschmann power antenna and replaced it with this Godar. I had been assured this antenna would bring in bring in the moon. It hasn't. After spending $300 I found that it has not worked even as well as the German original it replaced. The windows and seats work as they should; the cruise control works intermittently; the heat adjusts automaticly, but the AC is not functioning. Neither any longer is the sunroof. Both can be repaired. I just never have felt the need for them. I'll answer any questions by email or telephone (304)256-8289.