Mercedes forum - slightly OT

plain fan · 08-09-2003, 07:18 AM

My dad has recently decided that he would like to get one of the 300 series diesels for my mom. After seeing what this website offers for Porsche drivers he wanted to know if there was one similar for Mercedes.
Can anyone reccommend one?
Thanks

plain fan · 08-09-2003, 07:53 AM

Thanks, she definitely prefers "low profile" but not when it comes to rims.

mccan · 08-09-2003, 09:56 AM

Mercedesshop.com has a community of diesel owners that in some ways exceeds this forum. A truly awesome utility. I drive a 1967 911 with a 1972 engine and this forum has made the experience a great one. I have also owned and driven a number of Mercedes 300 diesels and the mercedesshop forum has been equally useful.

SteveStromberg · 08-09-2003, 11:15 AM

See:

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/index.php3?s=

plain fan · 08-09-2003, 01:35 PM

mccan,
You mention that you've owned several MB diesels, what can you say about them?

mccan · 08-09-2003, 01:47 PM

A few things - mostly good. The 617 5 cyl. 3 litre turbo-charged cast iron power plant is one of the world's great engines. In 1986 & 1987 they sold a 3 liter 6 cyl. that is also an excellent machine. The biggest problem is that the other systems that comprise the car must be attended to with some regualrity for the whole car to live as lomg as the engine. Correctly tuned (aye, there's the rub...), these things run beautifully and forever. I recently sold a 1979 300 SD luxury sedan (same paltform as the famed 450 6.9 muscle car) for $4100. Original engine and engine components. I occasionally run my current 1980 TD wagon on vegetable oil.

Perhaps the best thing about these machines is that they are undervalued in the marketplace. Americans have a poor impression of diesels. Probably the best thing out there is the 1987 300 SDL. $5K to $7K will get you a very nice car. Regardless of the model, expect to be able to get 300K miles out of it.

Bobboloo · Bobboloo's Garage

Here's one.

http://forums.mbnz.org/forums/

plain fan · 08-09-2003, 02:22 PM

mccan,
What series were made with diesels? Currently I've only seen 300 series. Thanks for you help, everyone.

mccan · 08-09-2003, 02:43 PM

They made 190's, 220's, 240's, 300's & 350's, that I know of. Probably more. The 300 was so succesful because with the turbo (early 300's, mostly pre-1979, were produced without turbo) the thing would actually get out of it's own way. The later 350 6 cyl. series of the ealry 90's was an inferior product as the rods were known to bend. The mid-to-late 90's 300 series is a pretty decent machine, but the tranny is suspect. The current CDI (direct injection) series goes on sale in the states in 2004 and is an awesome bit of disel engineering.

mccan · 08-09-2003, 02:46 PM

The greatest value and dependability are to be found in the 1980 to 1985 300 SD, D, TD series and the 1986-1987 300 SDL.

chuckw951 · 08-09-2003, 03:00 PM

In my view the 1995 E300D is under appreciated and they could be found at reasonable prices. I bought mine with 86K miles and put 30K miles on it with no troubles. The 95 was the last year of the W124 bodystyle.

The 98-99 E300D turbos are nice but quite expensive. Another car to consider is the 300E 2.5 turbo which started in 1987 or so. 84-85 300Es are great too. Suppose it depends on your budget and preferences.

In terms of forums I like the Diesel discussion forum at shopforums

http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/forumdisplay.php3?forumid=15

There is also a good listserv that talks about diesel powered Benz's.

Chuck

plain fan · 08-09-2003, 03:15 PM

Thanks everyone. I talked to my Dad some and he wants to put my mom in the largest, most reliable diesel available from Mercedes. He can do the service work himself, but I don't he plans to.

Mccan, what is the difference between the S and T DL? So you would avoid anything new than 87? The newest diesels are out of his price range but they are very cool. Eropean Car covered the technology a couple of months ago.

Chuck, I thought the E series weren't made with diesels?

mccan · 08-09-2003, 03:32 PM

As far as servicibility(sp?), size and dependability, the 1986 & 1987 (only years offered in U.S.) 300 SDL is a good bet. It is a 6 cylinder, 3.0 liter turbo diesel and has hydraulic lifters (no valve adjustment needed every 15K mis. as with the 1980-85). The 126 long body is big and classically beautiful. The ride is excellent and at nearly 5000 lbs is one of the all-time greats on the highway.

Alan Cottrill · Alan Cottrill's Garage

I have had 2 w124 chassis cars (e series 1986 to 1995) I had a 1988 300e and now have a 1995 E320. both are gas models. the W124 chassis was available with the 6cyl diesel. I have to say the 124 is one of the nicest sedans I've ever driven. very serviceable and very dependable. just a really good all around driver...good handling and very comfortable.

before that there was the w123 chassis. (e series 197? to 1985) you can find many of those diesels around. the problem is their age is catching up with them. by now they've had a few owners and taken enough depreciation that people who don't take very good care of their cars can afford them. I'm sure it wouldn't be hard to find a good example in the $3k to $4k range.

stay away from benzworld.org and mbworld.org forums. lots of kids. not much in the way of technical help.

mercedeshop.com is the best

MY83SC · 05:26 AM

My Dad has a 1976 240D that he bought new. Besides a small oil leak....dime size per day after a year of ownership....that has been addressed several times and only got worse...to a nickle.....and then left alone...Also the passenger side Vac-lock failed, but fixed...GREAT CAR! It was the "Entry" level diesel Mercedes of the day. 5 speed manual tranny . I think he has about 250k on it now. Well maintained and no big problemos. I get jealous of the extra cold air conditioning every time I ride in it....and BTW....has only been recharged 1 time!!!!

Since he has purchased several other Mercedes and none of them have kept up with the long time reliability of his first 240D. (All were gas engines) He still uses the old 240 probably more than any other car he owns.

Great car....I'd like to have 1!

chuckw951 · 08-10-2003, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by plain fan

Chuck, I thought the E series weren't made with diesels?

The 95 e300d (w124 body style) was built for 1 year I believe. It is a 3.0 24 valve diesel motor that makes 134hp + good torque (IMHO). It is a bit slow but gets 35 mpg and with a big tank you get 650 mile range which is nice. Then that motor was used in the 96 and 97 models. In 98 and 99 the motor was turbocharged.

This link on the MB webpage lists the specs. Looks live just over 5,000 were sold in the USA. These cars are selling from 10K to 15K.

Good luck.

mccan · 08-10-2003, 08:04 AM

The knock on the 124 300e Diesel is that the transmission may have some probs. Don't remember the specifics. A search on mercedesshop forum will being you up to speed. Also, a DIYer will find it much more difficult to work on the more complex systems of the newer (post 1987) models.

plain fan · 08-10-2003, 08:17 AM

Thanks for the picture Chuck, but the body style is to small for my Dad's tastes. He wants to put my Mom in something like the 70-80's style, larger car. All the safety equipment and technology in the world can't beat simple Newtonian physics.
I guess I'll lead him towards the 86-87 350SDL cars. We did a preliminary run through ebay on the cars and there appears to be quite a few to select from. Are there any good books anyone can suggest? We found a Haynes manual on the cars but I don't remember if it covered the 86-87 cars. Are the Mercedes workshop manuals available or reccommended. Like I said he could work on it himself but I don't think he plans to beyond simple maintenance.
Thanks again to everyone for their time and help.

mccan · 08-10-2003, 08:21 AM

plain fan, is your Dad internet savvy? A Haynes manual and the forum will get him a long way. Alone with just the manual is a whole different story.

plain fan · 08-10-2003, 08:43 AM

He's not internet savvy or computer savvy, I'm his go between. He does seem interested in learning though...
He was skeptical of the whole internet "thing" when I first started using this website for help and guidance; now he quite often asks about the site and if I've checked it lately.
Grady