Minor correction to my previous message posted on April Fool:

I said:

"The best diesel is 1984 300D or 300SD. 1985 is the next best. If you want to buy MB diesel after 1985, do your home work thoroughly."

It should be:
"For California, The best diesel is 1984 300D or 300SD and 1985 is the next best. Other States, both '84 and '85 are the best. If you want to buy MB diesel after 1985 or any 190D, do your home work thoroughly."

I like the W124 2.5 turbo diesel. But, living in California, I never have a chance to lay my hands on any one of these diesels (49 State car). I have to settle down for a 87 300D and enjoying driving it. I always recommend the 617 engine to my friends, not the 603 (87, 300D) . You just cannot predict when the 603 engine is going to die and it is very expensive to fix. With pre-inspection by a good mechanic, a 617 engine's life is predictable.

Arosen stated that the performance of a W124 2.5 turbo is 9.8 seconds from 0-60. My research indicated a different number. For comparsion, here is what I have:

W124 300D (602) 2.5 Turbo, 12.4 seconds.
W126 350SDL (603) Turbo, 11.4 seconds.
W124 300D (603) Turbo, 10.5 seconds (with trap oxidizer).
W126 300SD (617) 14 seconds.
W124 E300 (small gas engine?) 12.6 seconds.

For 617 engine between '80 and '85, the older models have less power. All 300SDs have turbo and the body style changed to W126 in 1981. All 300Ds from '77 on are w123 but turbo was used starting 1982 (1981 for station wagon).

There are 300SDL for sale in Southern California, but it is expensive, ~$10,000. From what I see, in my area, used 300Ds have a significant price different bwteen 1981 and 1982 because of the turbo. 300D is usually 1/3 cheaper than 300SD in the used car market here. There are many diesels for sale in my area. To find a well kept one at reasonable price is hard.


David