i have heard how great the reliability of the 123 diesels are (early 80's shape) but then i keep hearing people say if it gets below freezing you have to plug them in to start them.. which doesnt sound like it would be very reliable if you dont have a block heater. i cant afford a petrol with all the miles i do but i do need a reliable car in a cold climate

My bro-in-law had lots of luck with his SD in the winter. Your climate is a little milder than up here in PA. Keep it tuned and a block heater is just a bonus. He never had one on his. Definately make sure the car has a limited slip rear.

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'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

With a good battery I've yet to have a cold start problem in Richmond, VA. And I was starting after a 13 hour night shift with the car on an exposed parking lot.

At home I used a heater + timer so I could get my heater going a little quicker.

If you don't have a block heater then a glue on oil pan heater should work fine in Maryland.

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Greg Schwall

1983 300SD - 465,000 miles

Be sure GPs are working great and you may want to change to synthetic oil in the winter (at least).

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Keep everything as simple as possible-but no simpler--Albert Einstein

They are fine in the winter if their in good shape. Mine started last winter at 8 degrees with no block heater. In hindsight considering the condition it was in that was amazing!

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

These cars do well in the winter. Starting ability varies with the overall engine condition, but in general it's not too hard to keep them alive.

BE SURE to wash the car often in areas where snow/ice is common. If not, the salt will quickly eat away at every unprotected spot it can.

diesel don lives farther north in Michigan than I do, and he has five on the road all year.
He has no gassers in his home fleet.

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ASE Master Mechanic
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Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
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1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

My diesel starts fine in MD in the winter. If the glow plugs are OK, then the starting is easy.

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Paul 1987 300 SDL; 2000 ML; '69 MGB; '68 VW Fastback