1983 Mercedes-Benz W123 300D 3.0 liter 5-cylinder turbo diesel from North America
Summary:
It would be a great car for a first time driver, or for someone who is in no hurry
Faults:
Key stuck in the ignition due to steering wheel locking mechanism failure... common at around 300000 miles. Required some minor dash removal, a new key, tumbler, extraction of the wheel lock, some grinding and pounding, but it is better than new.
I accidentally started the car with no way of turning it off (no ignition switch installed). Can't pull the plugs, the battery, the coil wire, etc. as there are none. Even pinching the fuel lines was absurd. I was freaking out.
General Comments:
Comfortable, safe, although this is my 2nd, and both cars had the same ignition switch problem, and this one has the vacuum door locks not working, no dash lights, no overhead light, and no heater/ventilation unit working.
Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes
Review Date: 6th June, 2012
8th Jan 2020, 21:21
There should be square or diamond shaped lever near the top of the engine (pretty easy to see) with a stop sign at the top, says 'ENGINE STOP'.
Press this lever down (at the red sign) towards the engine and hold it down and the engine *should* stop. Saw a YouTube video about restoring an old I want to say 1983 Mercedes 300D (YouTube poster is called "mercedessource", all one word) and he had to do this to check the engine for a suspected misfire.
p.s. Of course wear gloves and exercise caution, the engine may be hot!
Happy motoring!