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+--- Thread: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver (/showthread.php?tid=2956)
RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - vstef_is - 09-08-2011
Hi guys! Warm greetings from Romania, somewhere in Eastern Europe... I'm 26, doing different IT stuff, and have finally managed to get a Mercedes w123 - 300D last winter...
It serves the good purpose of being a daily driver (though it does look old fashioned, considering most cars in traffic are new(er))
Currently I'm changing stuff, and just finished rust-proofing the underside (here comes winter)
A few pics for now, and more details to follow...
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - willbhere4u - 09-08-2011
Nice looking car! I like the wheels
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - vstef_is - 09-08-2011
Thank you!
The wheels are 15" BBS-look-alikes, however the paint is flaky, I should sand blast and coat them, however, this is not within the budget yet. Tires are 195 x 65 x 15, just a tad bit larger than stock.
More about the ride... As you can see it has euro lights
the 'square' model (best lookin imho), rear parkin sensors (aftermarket), central door lockin (not the original vacuum system though, but some after-market electric actuator / alarm / lockin system). Light cream interior, metallic blue exterior (with some minor rust spots) and the classic 2998 cmc OM 617 engine.Here comes the good part - 5 speed tranny, the Getrag model. Must check all the markings, but it's all-aluminum.
What I've done so far since last december:
- filters, oils plus other old rubber elements in the engine bay (mostly fuel line segments, which had cracks)
- new break pads front / rear
- new diff, and again a new diff (the one on the car failed (parts of the ring came off)) I had another one which wasn't much better, and now I finally found a good one I'm happy with.
- new dash instruments
- new accessories belts
- new clutch flexible hose
- new axle shaft
- new CV boots for both axles
What I'm currently doing:
- just finished sanding, priming, and prepping the underside of the car for winter (see pics)
- replacing tie rods, and steering shock absorber
- service on rear brakes (caliper repair kit + new flexible elements)
- replacing exhaust header
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - willbhere4u - 09-08-2011
that's really cool with a 5spd is it a turbo?
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - vstef_is - 09-08-2011
Alas - there were no Turbo versions officially sold in Europe. So no... it's just naturally aspirated. 'bout 88 horses give or take...
This does seem very funny to me - A lot of old Mercs were not available as a turbo diesel, or even a diesel at all (e.g. w.126) in Europe. They were sold however in the US, and what's funny is that diesel is pretty big in Europe, and not that big in the US... It was so even back in the day... so why not a turbo here?
Anyhow, I've never seen or driven a turbo 617, but I'd sure be very curious. Perhaps I can one day convert it... who knows... time will tell.
One more mention though - I'm not sure how expensive parts are over in the US, but here in Romania, they're very affordable for the w123 series. I'm talking brand new parts. For instance the caliper repair kit (all new bearings) from ATE - the ATE Classic line was $10, with tax.
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - DanielK - 09-08-2011
I get my parts fairly cheap too. Nice car.
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - vstef_is - 09-10-2011
Just finished changing the exhaust header, and all the steering components, as well as having the steering laser measured.
I'm off by one degree on the right side for the down-angle (hope the term's right). How bad do you think it is? Theoretically it can be adjusted, however we couldn't.
Otherwise steering is fine, and does handle very nice. The old steering shock absorber was completely ded. Didn't do anything.
Next up - the brakes. Pics coming soon.
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - vstef_is - 09-20-2011
Brakes ready too, all new caliper bearings on the rear, new brake hoses, pads, and had to change one disc too (cracked, got a similar old one)
Here's some more pics of various parts and the ride in clear day light...
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - winmutt - 09-23-2011
(09-10-2011, 01:15 PM)vstef_is Just finished changing the exhaust header, and all the steering components, as well as having the steering laser measured.
I'm off by one degree on the right side for the down-angle (hope the term's right). How bad do you think it is? Theoretically it can be adjusted, however we couldn't.
Otherwise steering is fine, and does handle very nice. The old steering shock absorber was completely ded. Didn't do anything.
Next up - the brakes. Pics coming soon.
We call it alignment here. And down angle I believe would be camber. Was camber measured with you in the car? I am pretty fat so when I sit in my car camber adjusts 0.5 degree.
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - vstef_is - 09-23-2011
Right! I went to some "professionals". Well they had laser alignment thingies, mounted on all four wheels. What they call "3D Alignment here", and you're right, the camber angle was 1 degree off.... The car was empty, unladen. I guess with me in it (I'm about 200lbs+) it's mostly ok.... Nothing else I can do at this point, I don't want to dismantle all the front suspension.
One more question though... how much "play" do you have in your steering box? Mine has some... noticeable... are w123 meant to be "uber tight" steering-wise? Meaning no play at all?
Thank you guys!
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - winmutt - 09-23-2011
(09-23-2011, 02:49 PM)vstef_is One more question though... how much "play" do you have in your steering box? Mine has some... noticeable... are w123 meant to be "uber tight" steering-wise? Meaning no play at all?
Thank you guys!
Factory calls for ~1 " or so of play. Anything tighter and it will bind.
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - rolfi - 09-24-2011
(09-08-2011, 02:32 PM)vstef_is Alas - there were no Turbo versions officially sold in Europe.
The only Turbo 123 sold in Europe was the 300TDT. No sedans.
They're fairly common, atleast in Norway and Sweden
Nice looking car btw!
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - vstef_is - 09-24-2011
(09-24-2011, 11:13 AM)rolfi The only Turbo 123 sold in Europe was the 300TDT. No sedans.
They're fairly common, atleast in Norway and Sweden
Nice looking car btw!
Thanks! I'd love a turbo wagon... perhaps one day...
I still have some work to do on the car, especially since I'm planning a trip to France in October... should be up for the task. Anybody else from Europe on STD?
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - JB3 - 10-04-2011
I love the 123 Euro lights. Im trying to get a set for my 115, but thats pretty unlikely to happen. Seeing this car makes me want to go get my 123 with euro lights back!
That car looks in great shape as far as rust, what are you doing for rust prevention? What type of paint are you using?
I did the same area with some POR-15 when my 123 MB stock undercoating was peeling off in large flakes
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - vstef_is - 10-04-2011
I love Euro lights as well... If you need Euro lights for the 115, I think I can find a set over here - just let me know.
The paint is Daewoo Nexia/Cielo blue metallic - it has been repainted locally about 4 years ago. The underbody thing is all my work and it consists of:
- flakin, sanding, blasting everything I could - right off.
- protective paint (about 3$ per liter)
- sound proofing paint (about 2$ per liter)
I heard guys in the US cover the underside with fiberglass - which sounds good, but would be too expensive for me.
I haven't done any wonders.... just what I could normally do to a car.
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - vstef_is - 10-16-2011
Changed the oil in the gearbox... Got only 0.3 - 0.4 liters out of it, but put back 1.6 liters of brand spankin new ATF...
Nice, huh? Shifts miles better, surprised I only had this little oil left!
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - Volker407 - 10-18-2011
Quote:Anybody else from Europe on STD?
I´m from south Germany.
Gruß
Volker
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - vstef_is - 10-18-2011
Let me know where, I'll pass through the South of DE on my way to France...
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - willbhere4u - 11-02-2011
Hey if you guys find a 5spd w123 at a junk yard I really need a 5 SPD shifter assembly for my 1985 300td wagon!
RE: RO w123 300D - Daily Driver - Captain America - 11-03-2011
Send me the trans!