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Information Junky
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: an island, upper left coast, USA
Posts: 73,167
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Tell me about (80's vintage) mercedes benz diesels
I'm looking for a cheap, no fuss A-to-B car for a family member.
I've never owned a MB, but from what I've seen, the older ones (like say a 240D) go for ever. (slowly . .. .but unstoppable) . . ..or is that just because Benz owners are anal about constantly keeping their "investment" in good repair?
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Everyone you meet knows something you don't. - - - and a whole bunch of crap that is wrong. Disclaimer: the above was 2¢ worth. More information is available as my professional opinion, which is provided for an exorbitant fee. 
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05-24-2005, 11:21 AM
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I think they really do go forever. Here's a great place to inquire/research.... http://www.mercedesshop.com/shopforum/forumdisplay.php3?f=15
For more get-up-and-go you may want to consider a TD.
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Warren & Ron, may you rest in Peace. |
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05-24-2005, 11:35 AM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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slow and reliable..
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05-24-2005, 11:53 AM
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drag racing the short bus
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Location, Location...
Posts: 21,983
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The 240D is some sort of mileage record holder, I believe. Several have clocked 1 million miles or more w/o a rebuild.
Additionally, there's a reason that brand and model are used as taxis, police cars, and other HD purposes throughout the world. Plus, they're idiot proof. Case in point: a guy I know who had the 240D and the older 300D, and knew not one thing about these cars and how to maintain them, (and is lazy to boot), but they kept running despite his disgraceful negligence. I once read how, the U.S. is the only place where the Mercedes is thought to be a luxury car - shows how shallow we are. Personally, I think the 240D is one of the best overall automobiles ever built. A friggin' nuke couldn't stop it.
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The Terror of Tiny Town |
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05-24-2005, 11:54 AM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 10,365
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I've heard nothing but praise for the 300TD and 300D. Unstoppable.
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“IN MY EXPERIENCE, SUSAN, WITHIN THEIR HEADS TOO MANY HUMANS SPEND A LOT OF TIME IN THE MIDDLE OF WARS THAT HAPPENED CENTURIES AGO.” |
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05-24-2005, 12:02 PM
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The Unsettler
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Lantanna TX
Posts: 23,885
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I agree with Socal. You think 911's have quirky handling characteristics.
Drive an old Benz. Scott
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"I want my two dollars" "Goodbye and thanks for the fish" "Proud Member and Supporter of the YWL" "Brandon Won" |
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05-24-2005, 12:07 PM
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drag racing the short bus
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Location, Location...
Posts: 21,983
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Quote:
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The Terror of Tiny Town |
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05-24-2005, 12:10 PM
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Information Junky
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: an island, upper left coast, USA
Posts: 73,167
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LOL -Thanks guys. I have driven them, way back. Yeah, very slow. --tankish
But this won't be for me. I have a MIL who FREAKS that her current car occasionally stalls at stops (so she says-- I can't get it to repeat the prob) It starts and goes again fine again (apparently). .. but she is FREAKED about it. . .. so I figure that a car that is perpetually slightly better than a stall . .. ought to be just right.  Okay seriously, TD . .. is that the way to go? I've got to say, I REALLY like the idea of a drama-less car here.
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Everyone you meet knows something you don't. - - - and a whole bunch of crap that is wrong. Disclaimer: the above was 2¢ worth. More information is available as my professional opinion, which is provided for an exorbitant fee.
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05-24-2005, 12:25 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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Quote:
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05-24-2005, 12:42 PM
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Cars & Coffee Killer
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: State of Failure
Posts: 32,246
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I drove an '85 300D in college. The car was my father's originally. My father is a complete idiot when it comes to car maintenance. I spent two years of ownership sorting out his neglect. I sold it only because I wanted reliable winter transportation (had to keep it outside). Turns out, the guy I sold it to lives two streets over, it's still kicking strong with close to 300,000 miles.
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Some Porsches long ago...then a wankle... 5 liters of VVT fury now -Chris "There is freedom in risk, just as there is oppression in security." |
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05-24-2005, 12:44 PM
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drag racing the short bus
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Location, Location...
Posts: 21,983
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Quote:
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The Terror of Tiny Town |
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05-24-2005, 12:45 PM
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drag racing the short bus
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Location, Location...
Posts: 21,983
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Island - yeah, it's a good car. Perfect lack of drama for a perfectly drama-less MIL. Get the MB version of a PPI, and hand her the keys.
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The Terror of Tiny Town |
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05-24-2005, 12:46 PM
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Banned
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: los angeles, CA.
Posts: 41,306
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They are the taxi cabs of 75% of the world, and it includes the poorest part. Absolutely bulletproof and built to last forever. The 300D turbodiesel, (123 body/1982-85), is relatively quick and nice to drive but they are getting more expensive as fuel costs rise.
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05-24-2005, 12:50 PM
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Banned
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: los angeles, CA.
Posts: 41,306
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Also, MB cars hold the road pretty well, but it takes some getting used to the soft ride combined w/ decent handling.
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05-24-2005, 12:52 PM
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Registered
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: Naples,FL
Posts: 3,469
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My roomate in college had a MB 300 Station wagon diesel. It had about 400k miles on it. The smell of diesel fumes filled the cab. It it rattled and clanked like Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. It was glorious.
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05-24-2005, 01:20 PM
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DP935 member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 3,044
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My best friend is into diesel MB's like Im into Porsche's and he loves them. He does all his own maintenance but says they dont reall need much. He has about 10 and some dont get driven much but they seem to be real reliable. We got in one 82 240D I think and drove it 300 miles each way with no troubles. They are slow though. He has a couple of early 90's gas cars too and likes them. I can ask him some particular questions if you have any.
Quinn kycarguy@yahoo.com
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Porsche Slantnose M505 M506 group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/719995181372494/ |
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05-24-2005, 02:56 PM
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drag racing the short bus
Join Date: May 2002
Location: Location, Location...
Posts: 21,983
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Can't you run those diesels on lamp kerosene?
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The Terror of Tiny Town |
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05-24-2005, 03:00 PM
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In the shop at Pelican
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Los Angeles, CA
Posts: 10,459
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I've seen people run diesel engines on marvel mystery oil....
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05-24-2005, 03:23 PM
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Banned
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: los angeles, CA.
Posts: 41,306
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If you drank enough the night before, you can piss in the tank. They're not real fussy.
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05-24-2005, 07:28 PM
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DP935 member
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 3,044
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After a bit of work you can use old french fry oil. I have been looking into it some.
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Porsche Slantnose M505 M506 group on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/groups/719995181372494/ |
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05-24-2005, 08:22 PM
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1985 Porsche 911 3.2 (Still in the stable)
1993 BMW 740 IL (Sold)
1985 Mercedes 380 SL (Sold)
1992 Harley Davidson Fatboy (Sold)
1971 Mercedes 280 SL (Currently being restored)
