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  #1  
Old 01-20-2005, 03:24 PM
Coming back from burnout
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: in the Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,274
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...

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  #2  
Old 01-20-2005, 03:53 PM
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Location: Blue Point, NY
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrameow
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...
Carrameow, it that 370K on the original 603 engine? Or have you rebuilt that one?

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.
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  #3  
Old 01-20-2005, 04:56 PM
dieseldiehard's Avatar
Dieseldiehard
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Bay Area No Calif.
Posts: 4,368
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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  #4  
Old 01-20-2005, 05:53 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
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Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
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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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  #5  
Old 01-20-2005, 06:34 PM
BusyBenz
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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
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  #6  
Old 01-20-2005, 08:21 PM
Coming back from burnout
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: in the Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,274
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  
Old 01-20-2005, 08:33 PM
Geezer
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Holland, MI
Posts: 1,316
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrameow
But I am concerned. That aluminum head scares me, ...
Just drive it, don't overheat it, and enjoy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrameow
... as well as the serpentine belt...
Open the hood monthly, check belt, replace when worn. Also check tensioner damper and spring, replace when worn.

Just drive it, check it, and enjoy
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrameow
...as well as the timing cover...
If it's not broke, just drive it and enjoy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrameow
...this car is a thoroughbred and not a draft horse.
Um, a 500E comes to mind as a thoroughbred, the 300D is a good quarter horse...

Just drive it, whip it now and then, and enjoy.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrameow
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...
Well, it's not a W123, it's not a fragile show car and it probably won't be a Classic. It's a car, and a d****d good one until you can't afford to keep up with the replacement parts.

Yeah, like I said, just drive it and enjoy.

Best Regards,
Jim
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  #8  
Old 01-21-2005, 09:12 AM
I miss my MBZ
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Cincinnati, OH
Posts: 563
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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  #9  
Old 01-21-2005, 10:05 AM
Benster Tom
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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.
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  #10  
Old 01-21-2005, 10:39 AM
boneheaddoctor's Avatar
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 300SDLTOM
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.
Exactly from what I hear those heads don't crack unless they are overheated...................just make sure it never runs hot.
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  #11  
Old 01-21-2005, 10:51 AM
Coming back from burnout
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: in the Pacific Northwest
Posts: 2,274
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
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  #12  
Old 01-21-2005, 05:28 PM
Geezer
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Holland, MI
Posts: 1,316
Quote:
Originally Posted by Carrameow
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
The temperature of the coolant is dictated by the thermostat in the cooling system. Only after the heat output exceeds the radiator capacity will the temperature rise to worrisome levels, and that is usually in stop-go traffic on hot days. The electric auxiliary fan is supposed to come on at 105C, and shut off the AC, to help prevent overheating in these conditions.

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
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  #13  
Old 01-21-2005, 09:44 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
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Location: Milford, CT
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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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  #14  
Old 01-21-2005, 11:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Hatterasguy
A 603 with a proper cooling system should never get to 105c, unless you are in extreme conditions.
Careful Hattie.

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.
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  #15  
Old 01-22-2005, 12:51 AM
Enthusiast
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: USA
Posts: 43
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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