Check the air filter and turbo intake pipe. Turbine noise on a Benz is often a loose air intake pipe, they are normally very quiet. If the exhaust was leaking enough to give you a whine, it would also roar.

Peter

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1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!