Valtonen Motorsport 123 for sale .
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CAR SPOTLIGHT>> VALTONEN MOTORSPORT W123 - Speedhunters

Only serious offers or questions !
valtonen.motorsport@gmail.com

 

I have been looking at the 300d for some time now. I did not know that the 87 was so much better with the turbo 6. Thanks for the info. I just found one local to me for $2k. Maybe I should look into it more and try to snag it.

*edit* I just realized I brought this back from the dead, came across it on google. I first saw the date on the earlier post and then realized we are now in 2013...

~George

 

For $2k it will likely be a fixxer-upper, but if the body and interior are in decent shape, it's probably worth trying to save it. The primary thing to look at is the cylinder head casting number, if it's a #14 (original), make sure to check for abnormal pressure in the cooling system cold or hot. If it has a newer head, that's awesome. Use the buyer's guide I linked to above for other items to look at. I never find these for sale locally, I'd be all over one for $2k...

 

Thanks, I will look into it more. Where are the casting numbers stamped on them? BTW what kind of fuel mileage could I expect with daily interstate travail at 74mph? Is that a good cruising speed for these cars or will the rpm's be way up there like some other older cars?
~George

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I am going to take a new job that is 30 miles away vs my current 6 miles and don't want to rack the miles on my truck or get the lower fuel millage. So I am looking for a good commuter car, and I like the older stuff, currently debating between a Classic Saab 900T coup and the 300D, just wish the 87 300D came as a manual. I am a body man and mechanic by trade so the age and miner repairs won't bother me that much. But we will see. Here are two that aren't too far away...
87 Mercedes 300 turbo diesel
87 mercedes 300d

 

It's in this document (also linked above), see item #16:
http://www.w124performance.com/docs/...uying_tips.txt



This depends on the overall condition of the engine & chassis, and the quality of diesel fuel where you live. Best numbers for straight highway will be 30-32mpg, maybe a smidge more if you are into hypermiling. With crappy diesel, or any chassis issues, this could drop to 26-28mpg. Realistically, I'd expect somewhere in the middle, probably around 28-30mpg.



This model has a 2.65 final drive and will be 3000rpm at 75mph. It will happily cruise all day long at this speed. Years ago I was able to drive my 87 300D for an extended period (few hours) at around 90mph (approx 3600rpm) and I was shocked to find the fuel economy was unchanged, I got the same MPG that tank as I usually did at 70-75 mph. YMMV, etc. A manual transsmision swap is possible but the ROI is pretty lousy. If you want higher MPG, get a 190D diesel with a 5-speed (and half the power).


I'd be all over that blue one at $2700, btw... if it really is the second owner and well maintained, that's a steal.

 

So I talked to both the owners. The blue one is owned my a guy that is 77 years old and bought it from one of his friends 20 years ago this easter. He said it has 375k on it and the trans leaks about a qt every few months, the cruise does not work, and it has a dime size rust spot on it but he can't remember quite where it was at. But it has always been garage kept and had a new fuel pump put in about 4 years ago and its never been smoked in. He said the motor has never been touched except a relay that had something to do with engine idle and he said its on its 3rd a/c compressor but it works great. What do you think? Its a little over 3 hours away and I might go look at it...

The other one sounds like its got too many issues for me, but it did have a new head on it.

 

Transmission needs a re-seal if it shifts ok, probably under $50 in seals/gaskets but a real pain to do the work unless you pull the trans out (and if the front pump seal is leaking, the trans has to come out). Cruise control is almost guaranteed to be a dead amplifier, very common, usually available under $100 used on eBay. Pretty likely it will need some other misc work but if you can get it at a decent price, it's probably worth it.

I bet the three AC compressors was due to being converted to R-134a. Real shame. Those conversions are system killers.

Don't forget to read the article I linked above, it will give you ideas of what to look for.

 

IDK what I am thinking. The car is still a 87 with 375k mi. $2700 can buy some newer cars that get better MPG and have more zip along with some nice options too. I just don't know what I want but would like it to be somewhat unique...

 

There are a number of newer, cheaper cars that get better MPG. Pretty much any VW TDI will be 10+ years newer and get mid/upper 40's. Part of the reason I drive MB's now (and don't drive VW's anymore) is the safety aspect. When you get hit by some cellphone-weilding idiot, would you rather be in a VW (or Japanese econobox), or the MB?

 

Yea I am going to look at some VW's. As far a the safety aspect. I like motorcycles, but the wife will settle with anything with 4 wheels being as safe. Not to mention I do like heat when it cold out. But all the same, thanks for the info.