1985 300gd

[silverscout]

Not mine but it looks interesting.

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/cto/1205112385.html

[Scott Brady]

Wow, nice G. If I had one as a driver, that would be the model I would pick up. Of course, the DI has my affections...

[BKCowGod]

It may be the ultimate off-road vehicle. It may be totally cool and rare and bulletproof and all the logical reasons for buying a G-Wagen. But disturbingly enough, the main reason I have always wanted one of these is that to the best of my knowledge it is the only truly formidable 4x4 other than the IH Scout 2 to have what I think is the coolest option ever:

PLAID SEATS.


That is all.

[BKCowGod]

I just read the ad again and I gotta ask... Do these two lines cancel each other out?

with a turbo diesel conversion
bone stock, no modifications

[silverscout]

I thought the same thing, maybe its worth approaching with an air of caution. As for the plaid seats, I have them in my Scout!!!!

[BKCowGod]

I thought the same thing, maybe its worth approaching with an air of caution. As for the plaid seats, I have them in my Scout!!!!

Which is why I have almost bought a Scout every single time I have had a slot open in my automotive wardrobe.

Genetically and cosmetically, my Cherk is the closest thing you can get to a Scout without an IH logo, though.

[haven]

There are so many frauds on CraigsList, you have to approach
each vehicle for sale like a CSI investigation. In this case, the
photos in the ad look appropriate for a vehicle advertised for sale
near Concord, CA. There's a CA license plate on the front, and
that's the BART elevated train track in the background. The lack
of leaves on the trees mean that the photos were taken a while ago.

The vehicle for sale is a short wheelbase G-wagen, as this photo shows. I think
the wheelbase length is 2400 mm / 94.5 in (SWB) vs 2850 mm / 112 in (LWB).



Regarding the turbo, I've read that there are some G-wagen diesels that were
upgraded with turbo parts, but this is not recommended because the
bottom end also needs to be beefed up. Instead, this engine might be
transplanted from a 300TD wagon. The 1986-87 300TD used an engine
that is similar to the one used in the G-wagen.

Chip Haven

[haven]

I sent a request for more information, and received the following
information

The seller is the second owner.
The truck was imported from Germany to California (benign climate)
Chassis has approximately 130K miles
Engine has about 100K
Transmission is the original 4 speed manual.
Small spot of rust on the driver's door, treated with POR21
(You can see the whitish spot in the CraigsList photos)
edit: no, that spot is just a reflection of light
From the photo, the license plate is CA 2YEK141, which is
consistent with a vehicle licensed in the mid 1980s.

Some issues reported by the owner
1. leaks a little oil after driving for quite some time
2. may need new glow plugs (sometimes the glow plug indicator light lights up & sometimes not)
3. odometer sometimes work and sometimes does not
4. gas gauge quirky (sometimes the needle sways back & forth)
5. needs tune up (smokes on initial startup, slow acceleration when cold, poor gas mileage)
6. torn stitches on spare tire cover but no tears or anything on the vinyl
7. paint on lower part of driver's side door and below the gas tank filler looks dull and faded

Here's a link to 300 more pictures: http://cl4sale02.multiply.com/photos
The photos can be enlarged to high resolution and are well exposed.

This photo shows that the passenger side front driveshaft seals needs attention
http://cl4sale02.multiply.com/photos...Benz_300GD#202

One photo shows that the vehicle was properly imported by Franz
Helchinger. He was the first registered owner, too. There's an impressive
original owner's manual, tool kit and the original sales materials.

The VIN number is 46033217040269

There does not appear to be an air conditioning unit in this vehicle.

The photos do a great job of showing the condition of the undercarriage.
It's strange that there is only one photo of the engine compartment,
and none of the bottom of the engine and transmission. I suspect these
are an oily mess because the engine "leaks a little oil." It can't be too
bad, because otherwise the entire undercarriage would have an oily finish.

edit: Here's a photo that shows the bottom of the engine and transmission
http://cl4sale02.multiply.com/photos...Benz_300GD#212
This looks like a leaking main seal, probably at the front of the engine.

Chip Haven

[haven]

I corresponded with the current owner. He is the second owner.
He purchased the 300G in December 2007 from the fellow who
was the original importer, and first owner for 20+ years.

The turbodiesel engine was installed by the current owner.
No word yet on what happened to the original engine. The
original vehicle came with air conditioning, but the turbo on the
new engine got in the way of the compressor. So the A/C was
left out.

It appears to me that the 300+ photos online were taken when the
300G was originally purchased, and as such don't represent the
vehicle's current condition. I asked for more photos of the engine
compartment, so we may know more soon.

Chip Haven

[haven]

The Craigslist ad has been deleted, so I believe that
the 300G has been sold.