My father has that same exact car. We all hate it. Steering sucks. Very slow and feels more like a tiller than anything that could be called precise. Suspension is soft and rather floaty - could definitely use some stiffer springs.
Beyond that, it's pretty comfy and big and cruises well on straight roads.
Mine has rebuilt suspension, 16x8 wheels with good tires, and lowering springs with bilstiens and that helped a lot. Its far from a sports car, but its more fun to drive than a brand new camry by far.
amg_rx7 wrote: My father has that same exact car. We all hate it. Steering sucks. Very slow and feels more like a tiller than anything that could be called precise. Suspension is soft and rather floaty - could definitely use some stiffer springs. Beyond that, it's pretty comfy and big and cruises well on straight roads.
Exactly, it's perfect!
I drive a lot, and this should be a cheap, comfy way to do it. I'm ordering a set of tires for it now, then I think it needs a new vacuum pump–it's only pulling 10 inches of mercury.
Why Mercedes would use vacuum to run everything on a car powered by a turbodiesel is beyond me... silly germans.
Tom Suddard wrote: A WVO conversion isn't in the cards; I doubt this one will really be in the magazine.
boo, hiss!
Streetwiseguy wrote: I still say the 300 superdiesel was the slowest car ever built, 0-10mph. With you being well removed from the rust belt and cold air, it should be a fine ride.
Yeah, that eternity between the car starting to move, and the turbo waking up. Once moving it's okay, but just crossing the street after a stop sign is like waiting for the Swill to glurp out of the bottle.
Did the 300SD start off in 2nd gear like other Mercedes? Because it feels like 3rd.
Yep, it starts in 2nd. I'll second the slowest car to 10 comment.
JoeyM wrote:Tom Suddard wrote: A WVO conversion isn't in the cards; I doubt this one will really be in the magazine.boo, hiss!
I agree. And whomever mentioned it doesn't belong in GRM I feel is incorrect.
Tires are on their way; I ordered 205/70R14 General Altimax RTs
$297 shipped from TireRack. Woohoo!
More BOOST...
Hmmm... How do I do that, and how will it affect mileage?
Tom Suddard wrote: Hmmm... How do I do that, and how will it affect mileage?
Mileage?!?!? Who cares about that?!
step1.unplug wastegate.
step2. there is no step two
Put this car in the magazine. It's grassroots, and for many of us, commuting is all the motorsports we do.
Tom Suddard wrote: Tires are on their way; I ordered 205/70R14 General Altimax RTs $297 shipped from TireRack. Woohoo!
That's the size I need for my stock 280z wheels! Hmmm....that's almost as much as I paid for the car though...I think I'll head to the local used tire shop. 
This one seems to be doing ok as a sports car, not a diesel but pretty much the same car otherwise...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJyC_lugMJw
belteshazzar wrote: step1.unplug wastegate. step2. there is no step two
Yeah, from what I understand you pretty much want ALL the boost. IIRC there's also a step where you adjust the fuel until it shoots beyond redline without throttle input....... then back off half a turn. 
Congrats on the score! Nothing to add here except I absolutely love the sound the doors make when you shut them.
If there was a grade to be had for "sound of door shutting" I believe this car will have an A+. For years I have been tempted to get one so I could hear that sound everyday I get in it. If anyone will understand that sentiment, it is you guys
Nice score. Grassroots is all about what you do with the car. I bought my '70 Mercedes diesel for not much more than you did - I've auto-x'd, taken it on the big annual classic car cruise and daily driven it.
Sooo when are you going to invade Poland ?
Right now I'm invading the repair shop, I'm getting the transmission checked out.
sethmeister4 wrote:subrew wrote: Seems like a waste of $300. Should we expect more terrible project car articles?Tell us what you really think!
I think subrew needs to find the door out of here.....
Nice score, though I'm guessing it won't be at the UTCC. I too love the sound that the doors make:)
Pro Tip: it will launch in first if you row the gear selector manually. Injector pumps can be blueprinted, sometimes returning substantial performance improvement (the lighter 300D turbodiesels of the same era can chirp their rear tires on an upshift) but it aint cheap. If there's much "slack" in the throttle pedal, with lots of travel before the throttle linkage actually moves, it's time for linkage bushings, which will improve off the line performance. Glad you're enjoying her, they are excellent road cars.
whats the purpose of a 1st gear the car doesnt use?
Definitely looks like a road trip car!
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