1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D

1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D

The 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D is a mid-size luxury sedan powered by a 3.0L inline-6 diesel engine. It was available with a 4-speed automatic transmission. The 300D was praised for its refined driving experience, spacious interior, and high fuel efficiency. However, it also had some known issues that owners should be aware of.

Engine

• OM603 3.0L Inline-6 Diesel Engine Intake Manifold Swirl Flaps Description/Symptoms: The swirl flaps in the intake manifold can fail, causing reduced engine power, rough idling, and increased exhaust emissions. Solution: Replacing the intake manifold with an updated version that includes redesigned swirl flaps. Estimated Cost to Fix: $1,000 - $2,000+ Recalls: None Found

Transmission

• 722.3 4-Speed Automatic Transmission No Major Issues Found

Suspension

• Rear Self-Leveling Suspension Leaking Accumulator Description/Symptoms: The accumulator in the rear self-leveling suspension can develop leaks, causing the suspension to sag and reduce ride quality. Solution: Replacing the accumulator. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000 Recalls: None Found
• Front Control Arms Bushing Wear Description/Symptoms: The bushings in the front control arms can wear out over time, causing a knocking or clunking noise when driving over bumps or turning. Solution: Replacing the affected control arm(s). Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000 per side Recalls: None Found

Electrical

• Glow Plug Control Module Failure Description/Symptoms: The glow plug control module can fail, preventing the glow plugs from heating up properly and causing difficulty starting the engine in cold weather. Solution: Replacing the glow plug control module. Estimated Cost to Fix: $200 - $400 Recalls: None Found
• Central Locking Module Water Damage Description/Symptoms: The central locking module can become damaged from water ingress, causing issues with unlocking or locking the doors. Solution: Replacing the central locking module. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000 Recalls: None Found

Exterior

• Sunroof Drain Hoses Clogging Description/Symptoms: The sunroof drain hoses can become clogged, causing water to leak into the interior of the vehicle. Solution: Cleaning or replacing the clogged drain hoses. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200 Recalls: None Found
• Headlight Bulbs Short Lifespan Description/Symptoms: The headlight bulbs on the 300D are known to have a shorter lifespan than on other vehicles, requiring frequent replacement. Solution: Upgrading to higher-quality headlight bulbs or replacing the bulbs more frequently. Estimated Cost to Fix: $50 - $200 per bulb Recalls: None Found

Interior

• Dashboard Pixels Fading Description/Symptoms: The pixels on the dashboard can fade over time, making the information displayed difficult to read. Solution: Replacing the dashboard. Estimated Cost to Fix: $500 - $1,000 Recalls: None Found
• HVAC Blower Resistor Failure Description/Symptoms: The HVAC blower resistor can fail, causing the blower motor to work only on high speed or not at all. Solution: Replacing the HVAC blower resistor. Estimated Cost to Fix: $100 - $200 Recalls: None Found

Summary

Overall, the 1991 Mercedes-Benz 300D is a reliable and well-built vehicle. However, owners should be aware of the potential issues listed above. The cost of these repairs can vary depending on the severity of the problem and the location of the repair. It is important to have the vehicle inspected by a qualified mechanic before purchasing and to maintain it regularly to prevent or minimize costly repairs.