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Whats the truth about the W124 87 300D?
I started to prepare my 87 300D for sale, I fixed the door lock and I fixed all its faults and thats when I discovered I still luv the car. I haven't driven it in over 6 months; I parked it in my tiny garage, because its a Liability to drive out here in NJ .To carry Comp on the car is not worth it because of its "book value".
So every night I go down to my garage with its kerosene heater because being so cold its the only car I can work on. The upholstery is like living room furniture, so some nights when the kid has her teenage brats over and the dog is barking and the TV blaring, I sit in the car, close the door, read my newspaper and take a nap. Anyway, I look at that gleaming 6 cylinder Diesel and it reminds me of a U boat motor or a Packard or a Corvette or something. The car is so quiet and smooth and powerful. But I am concerned. That aluminum head scares me, as well as the serpentine belt, as well as the timing cover...this car is a thoroughbred and not a draft horse. Does anyone out there have a 87 W124 300D with 370K uninterrupted service miles? I bet not!! Whats the truth about the W124 87 300D? Is it even a shadow of a W123? Or is it a fragile showcar? I just dont know what to do with this thing. part of me says keep it and it will be a Classic someday... |
#2
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You already know the 1987 W124 is probably the finest example of a diesel in that product line. You are definitely attached to the vehicle and you will not feel the same if you sell it. You clearly know that you will not find another one. There does not seem to be any decision to make. |
#3
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If Carrameow is implying that his car has 370K on it, then its worn out, I'll give you something for it even if it has a #14 head on it
I can add it to the collection: 1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441 1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 296650 1983 300D 243280 1985 300TD 223470 1987 300D 262300 w/ #14 head still running like new - of course it has a recent valve job, new lifters, new timing chain, radiator, water pump, struts, shocks, suspension arms, bushings etc. I really love my '87 - such a runner! Looking to find a W124 wagon too! Hey I've got the diesel disease and it appears to be incurable
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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting! |
#4
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Bah the 603 is a great engine, just as good as the 617. I wouldn't worry about the head they don't just blow, timing chain cover could break but it probably wont. A lot of things could go worng, you could buy a mint 300SD and have the trans blow the next week. Drive the thing and enjoy it thats what it is ment for. Heck the vac pump could blow next time you start it.
Mine is coming up on 244k and it needs lifters and a timing chain to make it perfect.
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1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#5
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Carrameow, I own one, and drive it daily. Wasn't going to this winter, but the heater core in the Volvo blew and so I pulled the blanket off the 300D and use it. These are very rugged cars and can take a lot of abuse and still come out smelling like a rose. GSXR posted a rare and unusual failure that can occure, but very seldom does! GSXR is also a guy who tests a 603 to the brink of it's limits, and I'm not surprised it happened to him. Good thing he's got the brains and talent to fix his broken timing cover!
I've driven the 123's, own a 190E. a 450SL, but I enjoy most my 87 124 diesel. I have a greater love for it by driving it! Yes thing can break, and don't things break on other cars too! If your cooling system is up to par, I really doubt you should have to worry about cracked heads. Trust youself and your good mechanical ability that you have. Drive it, don't sell it! BB |
#6
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My 87 300D mileage is around 220K; my 85 300D has 370K
Soory for the confusion,my 87 300D mileage is around 220K; my 85 300D has 370K..... I'm wondering if the W124 class will oulast the W123 class engine...sometimes I think my W123 with 370K will last longer than my W124 with 220K
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#7
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Just drive it, check it, and enjoy Quote:
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Just drive it, whip it now and then, and enjoy. Quote:
Yeah, like I said, just drive it and enjoy. Best Regards, Jim |
#8
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maybe this will help you make up your mind
I saw a dark blue '87 300d for sale at a local used car lot near Indian Hill (Expensive-house part of Cincinnati). It had 230-somethingK and was fs for about $3k- which I had at the time. Documentation was the best I've ever seen in a car anywhere (big binder, lotsa reciepts, .xls sheet w/ fluid changes marked...). #14 head. .. I didnt buy it b/c of the head and the auto trans (really wanted a sticky-stick).
But now I look back... I consider the decision *not* to buy it one of my first "Dumb mercedes moves" Emotions aside, look at the money. how much is the car worth right now ? How much would it cost to replace the 300D with a similar car- If the cost to keep is too great, then yes, you have a reason to sell. But if the only reason to sell is "it might break soon" I think a lot of us would be trading up to Honda civics (and getting better mpg...) real soon. If you are a guy who can look at a car as just a tool, for getting you from A to B in some semblance of style (my wife is like this, maybe I envy her...), then consider selling the benz- only if you are **not** going to get into your 1995 honda civic (with about 80k-100k on it at this price...) and think "wow, I wish I had my old 300D" MHO -John
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2009 Kia Sedona 2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L 12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse (insert Mercedes here) Husband, Father, sometimes friend =) |
#9
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The worst thing you can do to that car is leave it parked in the garage. Get it out and drive it. Don't worry about the head. Your more likely to get rammed from the rear end than it blowing on you. Heck if you haven't rebuilt the engine and it's got 370K on it, it's made it this far, might as well keep driving it. Now, I understand that it's a liability to drive in NJ. That's life and that's how it goes.
Relax and enjoy the drive. You'll do more for yourself by doing this everyday. |
#10
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Proud owner of .... 1971 280SE W108 1979 300SD W116 1983 300D W123 1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper 1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel 1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified) --------------------- Section 609 MVAC Certified --------------------- "He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche |
#11
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87 300D overheating--- would a oversized/second Radiator help?
There isnt a lot of room in the 87 300D nose.
I'm just wondering if some mechanical engineering theory (heat exchange) would yield that x% radiator volume increase would yield delta y temperature decrease |
#12
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Now, if the radiator has diminished capacity, say it's partially blocked internally, or low on fluid, you could run too hot. Then it's time to add fluid and maybe replace the radiator, but not the car... As long as the coolant temperature does not climb into the 'red zone' at about 120C, the head should be fine. Umm, did I mention, just drive it? Best Regards, Jim |
#13
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A 603 with a proper cooling system should never get to 105c, unless you are in extreme conditions. MB built these cars to run all over the world, the do fine in the mid east.
The AMG E60 would be my favorite W124. I saw one once very cool and very rare.
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1999 SL500 1969 280SE 2023 Ram 1500 2007 Tiara 3200 |
#14
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Remember that you have no large hills in CT. You need to take the SDL on a 6% grade for five miles at 67 mph, maximum continuous power, and you may change your opinion. I reached 105°C. at 80°F. ambient under these conditions. I did have a sense that it stabilized at this temperature and was not going any higher. But, I would not be so confident if the ambient was 100°F. However, you might call this "extreme conditions". I just want to clarify it for others. |
#15
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Bought my '87 300D about five months ago. Paid too much for it then put another $2000 in: shocks, lifters, hood pad, suspension links, thermostat (A/C), thermometer, etc...
Still shifts "firmly", blows air out of all vents all the time, has weak seat springs, and a little slack in the steering box. Other than that, it drives great and gets 31 MPG. Probably my favorite car - and I have three others that are each worth several times as much. I too got worried about my -14 head when I started surfing this forum. Then i got over it. It will either crack or it won't. If it does, I'll replace it and move on. Same goes for the tranny, and the A/C, and the starter, and the alternator, and the vacuum pump, and the window regulators, etc... As for the head, my independent mechanic tells me to not to sweat it. Like all cars, don't let it overheat and don't put your foot flat on the floor until it warms up. Bottom line. All cars are imperfect and they wear out parts. The difference with a Mercedes is that they can be rebuilt into NICE cars if you are willing to keep up with them.
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'87 300D 183K '06 E320 CDI 10K |
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