Slow and Steady: 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300SD W116
The basic designation “300” has been used by Mercedes-Benz over the years in a number of vehicles including some humble sedans (like the W115) all the way up to their W198 Gullwing equipped super sports car 300SL…so it might be confusing to people when they see a 300D compared to a 300SD, but make no mistake, this next car is part of the high-end W116 S-Class and should be given proper reverence and distance. Reverence because it is a sweet piece of machinery and distance because you might otherwise get a bad case of the black lung from the diesel exhaust. Find this 1980 Mercedes-Benz 300SD W116 offered for $6000 in Los Angeles Valley, CA via craigslist. Tip from Mike D.
1980 Mercedes 300SD
condition: good
cryptocurrency ok
cylinders: 5 cylinders
delivery available
drive: rwd
fuel: diesel
odometer: 216359
paint color: yellow
size: full-size
title status: clean
transmission: automatic
type: sedan
1980 Mercedes 300SD four door sedan with the legendary OM617 engine that Mercedes guaranteed for 1 million km. She gets up to 300 miles per gallon and will run on diesel, biodiesel, or Propel which is a clean burning fuel that has been subsidized in California (Get the Propel app on IOS or Android to find out where to buy). These engines are known to regularly get over a million miles on them.
The vehicle has been maintained well and is a rock solid dependable daily driver. Recent valve adjustment as well as oil and filter change, brakes serviced and recently rebuilt transmission
In California, she will never need a smog check. New battery, good tires and brakes, and all the lights and gauges work properly. The air conditioning is not working at this time. This Mercedes has been maintained well and there is no reason that she will not run for another 40 years. Made out of steel and strengthend steel and not aluminum and plastic. She may be the last car that you will ever need to buy. In California, you will never need to get it smog tested.
New Kenwood stereo with bluetooth and USB connections.
Is am really looking for a good home for this classic Mercedes car. She needs a safe and responsible driver, as she is a safe and reliable car.
If you would prefer to lease the car, it will be $200./mo as well as a $200. security deposit. You will also need to take care of the insurance for the vehicle. I will take care of all the maintenance of the car. Best if lease is for at least 6 months and you would be welcome to buy the car anytime after leasing.
See a better way to drive an old oil burner? tips@dailyturismo.com
I don’t think I’ve ever seen someone offer to lease an old car like this. Who would do that, on either side of the transaction?
Short term lease with option to buy on an older car?
As a buyer I’d love that on some older depreciation specials.
Maybe that’s a good business idea for an independent mechanic buying cars that they have been servicing for years and leasing them to new prospective owners.
You’d need a lawyer to draw up that contract as the devil is in the details. I sold my very nice 300SD to a single mom school teacher and presciently, repeatedly lectured her “if the oil light EVER comes on, immediately park and call for assistance”. Sure enough, a month after I sold it to her an oil line to the cooler ruptured and it dumped its contents on the road – and she reasoned she could still make it to the recommended mechanic 20 miles away. Had I leased the car to her who knows how I would’ve dealt with that.
“ 300 miles per gallon ”
Leaking water pump?
I’ve rehabilitated two 300SD cars, both W126 chassis vehicles. The W116 S-Klasse looks amazingly similar, I can’t think of any other complete update of a car that looked so similar to its predecessor. If there exists an in depth analysis and comparison of the two I’d like to see it.
Any Mercedes with the OM617 turbodiesel without terminal rust or blow-by is worth the effort of keeping on the road: parts are much cheaper than you’d think and there’s an enormous amount of how-to articles and videos for those willing to DIY.
Any truth to the claim of “the legendary OM617 engine that Mercedes guaranteed for 1 million km”? I’ve never heard of that guarantee.