Like many car enthusiasts, I’ve always been drawn to the enduring appeal of classic Mercedes-Benz vehicles. There’s something undeniably special about their engineering, their understated elegance, and their reputation for longevity. While I had previously enjoyed a naturally aspirated 1980 300D, the allure of the turbodiesel variant was always in the back of my mind. I often wondered what the addition of a turbocharger would bring to the driving experience of these already robust machines. It wasn’t long before I had the chance to find out firsthand, in a rather serendipitous way.
It was during a routine trip to the grocery store around 2002 when I spotted it – a dark blue, nonmetallic 1984 Mercedes-Benz 300D Turbo Diesel sedan parked at the edge of the lot. The paint was undeniably faded and showing its age, a common sight for cars of that era. However, knowing the transformative power of a good wax and some effort, I wasn’t deterred. The iconic Bundt wheels were present, although they were clearly in need of some cosmetic attention. Interestingly, the side trim was missing, but a hopeful sign was that it was later discovered neatly stored in the trunk.
This 1984 300D Turbo Diesel, though a bit rough around the edges, had a certain magnetism. Memories of driving a friend’s parents’ 1980 300SD turbodiesel in high school flooded back. That car, finished in a sophisticated tobacco brown, possessed a surprising level of power for its size and weight. It wasn’t sports car quick, but it was certainly more spirited than one might expect from a large, stately sedan. Intrigued, I noted the phone number on the for-sale sign and began my attempts to contact the seller. Unfortunately, my initial calls consistently led to voicemail, and despite leaving messages, I received no response.
About a month passed, and to my surprise, the 300D Turbo Diesel was still parked at the grocery store. Finally, my persistence paid off, and I received a return call. The owner explained that he lived several hours away and his daughter, who was attending college locally, had been using the car. Having recently purchased a newer vehicle, she was unable to get a reasonable trade-in offer for the aging Mercedes. Her father had instructed her to park it at the grocery store with a for-sale sign, intending to handle the sale himself. The communication breakdown occurred because he had been relaying messages to his daughter, expecting her to follow up with potential buyers – which she, unfortunately, hadn’t done.
The owner provided a candid assessment of the car’s condition. The odometer, showing a seemingly low 120,000 miles, had been broken for years, and he estimated the actual mileage to be at least double that. He also disclosed that the air conditioning and heating systems were non-functional, and the stereo was silent. Furthermore, the car was reluctant to start in cold weather. What initially seemed like a promising project was quickly revealing itself to be a more significant undertaking. Considering the unknowns and the disclosed issues, I offered $750 in cash. To my surprise, he accepted.
Upon meeting to finalize the transaction, I immediately began treating the 300D to a dose of Power Service diesel fuel additive – essentially an IV drip for a vintage Mercedes diesel engine. Within just a few hundred miles, the effect was remarkable. Despite its various shortcomings, the engine ran surprisingly well, and the automatic transmission shifted with remarkable smoothness. Even the cruise control system was functioning perfectly!
The faded dark blue paint, after several applications of Klasse wax and considerable elbow grease, responded beautifully and regained a respectable shine. The process, however, required wearing latex gloves to prevent my hands from being stained blue from the oxidized paint. The Bundt wheels received a fresh coat of spray paint, and the interior was freshened up with new tan carpets from WalMart, complemented by black carpets in the trunk. The worn MBTex seats were concealed with comfortable sheepskin seat covers gifted by a friend who had removed them from a recently acquired 450SL. For audio entertainment, a new stereo system was sourced from Crutchfield, a company I continue to rely on for car audio needs, as evidenced by a recent speaker order for another project car.
To address the missing side trim, I turned to Adsit, a well-known supplier of Mercedes-Benz parts. Their paper catalog, a nostalgic throwback in itself, was my go-to resource back then. I ordered the small plastic clips necessary to reattach the trim pieces, which, thankfully, were in excellent condition and snapped back into place without issue. Adsit, I believe, now also operates a website for easier parts ordering, reflecting the evolving landscape of parts sourcing for classic cars.
While the image above isn’t the exact car, it accurately represents how the 300D looked after my cosmetic restoration efforts. This photo likely depicts the car several months into my ownership, after numerous applications of Klasse wax had brought the paint back to life. At the time, I was unaware of clay bars, which would have likely further enhanced the paint correction process. The transformation was so significant that a friend who owned a detailing shop inquired about the products I had used to achieve such impressive results.
The heating system, however, required professional attention. While I might attempt such a repair myself now, it was beyond my skill level at the time. Approximately $700 later, the heating system was fully functional, thanks to a new heater control valve, a rebuilt control unit, and a new blower motor. This experience, while initially costly, proved to be a valuable learning opportunity, providing me with the knowledge to tackle heater issues in subsequent Mercedes projects myself, effectively recouping the initial expense over time.
The newly opened WalMart Supercenter’s auto department provided a convenient and affordable solution for new tires. A set of Douglas radials was fitted, proving to be perfectly adequate for the 300D’s needs. While the broken odometer prevented precise mileage tracking, I estimate driving the car around 25,000 miles over the course of a year. Aside from the non-functioning air conditioning, the car was remarkably reliable and enjoyable to drive. The idea of selling it to fund a car with working A/C began to take shape.
A local surveyor owned a W126 S-Class, similar to the one pictured, which I greatly admired. While I can’t recall if it was a 420SEL or a 560SEL, I remember it had an impressive 300,000 miles on the odometer. It wasn’t for sale, but I aspired to own a similar S-Class if a reasonably priced one became available. Tragically, the surveyor’s wife was involved in a head-on collision caused by a drunk driver, and their S-Class was totaled. I even witnessed it being towed away before learning it was theirs.
When I decided to sell the 300D Turbo Diesel, I placed a paper advertisement and priced it at $3,900. Incredibly, my very first phone call was from the surveyor! He offered $3,000 cash, which I promptly accepted. I had nearly doubled my initial investment, enjoyed a year of driving a classic Mercedes turbodiesel, and achieved a remarkably quick and easy sale, despite the car’s lack of air conditioning and a working odometer. Sometimes, the first offer is the best offer.
Shortly after selling the 300D, I found my own W126 S-Class, albeit an unconventional version, which is a story for another time.
Have you ever sold a car on the very first offer? Or perhaps regretted not taking that initial offer? These are common dilemmas in the world of private car sales.
