'78 300CD Automatic Transmission Question

A 300CD is a 5 cylinder naturally aspirated diesel coupe.

NOT a 4 cylinder! If it has a 4 in it, run away, run far away.

On that engine/trans combo, the upshift is vacuum controlled. Any vacuum leak in the pump circuit all the way to the modulator on the trans will screw up the shifts.

Why do you want a 28 year old car with a busted transmission???

OK, if it's FREE there are a few things you should know.

This diesel is a five cylinder non-turbo engine that made 77 HP when it was new. So in TOP condition this car will have lame acceleration. Remember, it's now 28 years old so getting it back to reasonable condition will take some $$ and effort on your part. The climate control is very complicated and can be expensive to repair so be sure it works and that nobody has "fixed" it for you'll never get it back to its original operation.

There are lots of these 4 speed transmissions about; they were standard issue for many model years of the 123 series (this one).

Really, if you want a M-B shop for a '82 or later Turbodiesel. These can be bought for a few thousand and they have 120 HP - adequate to keep up in most traffic conditions.

Buying a cheap luxury will be the most expensive way to own one. Old cars don't get a senior discount.

Thanks for your advice & info. As far as this '78 300CD goes, I'm just looking for something cheap to get around town in that I can use with bio-diesel. I'm not looking for luxury but I've always appreciated the good quality of a MB. As far as old goes I prefer pre-70's cars. I've never bought a new car and never will because I'd much rather have an old classic.

It was advertised as a 4 cyl so thanks for clearing that up. Maybe they meant only 4 cylinders are all that work! Thanks for the info.

If this 300CD has four cylniders the somebody stole one. It should bea diesel, too, hence the "D".

The tranny is pretty good. I have 400K miles on my original one. Fairly common, it'll never shift as well as say a Chevy one, but it pretty durable.

I'd do the fluids, filter an fiddle with it first, then swap in another one if it still doesn't work and labour was chea or free and the "new" one ws guarenteed to be ok.

While not exacly a classic the diesel coupes have a small cult following and are very cool cars inasmuch as the mid size 123 series can be. I menan it aint no luxo 111 handbuilt coupe, but it's not exactly a taxi either. I like'em.

turbo in some (one?) year)

in the pump circuit

vacuum modulates harshness of shifts, but does not control it. if you pull the vacuum off the tranny it'll still shift. too little vacuum and it's very harsh. too much and it slips like hell when it shifts, but it will shift without it

I almost bought the SL body style (late 60's to, I think, '72) because I love the look. However, I love the body style of the SL that came out in '91 slightly better, so I got one of those. My mech told me not to touch one earlier than a '95, though, so I got a '97 SL500. Beautiful car. It's my toy car. But I love the earliest ones--they have some of the greatest looking front ends I've ever seen.