For an OM616/617 its no surprise, out here, in severely abused commercial applications like LCV, people carriers, vans, these engines easily last over 400,000KM, that too with infrequent oil changes of poor quality CD rated Castrol cheapo or worse, air filters are neglected, so is valve adjustment. The light trucks are loaded to 6 tons when their actual capacity is around 3.5tons, the MB tranny and diff still last to 3-40000 KM and that too on potholed roads. No wonder these engines from MB are true legends.

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99 Gurkha with OM616 IDI turbo

2015 Gurkha with OM616 DI turbo

2014 Rexton W with OM612 VGT

That is interesting. It seems as if 108's around LA can barely sell for $2k and I see many at the junkyards because it doesn't fit anyone's needs. It's sad but I would rather see them shipped overseas, and taken care of rather than be crushed.

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1974 240D 3.0L 4(M) - 250K -OM617.910 + 300D FW + Rajay turbo power!
1977 6.9 3(A) - 84k

Just bought my first MB diesel, a 300D (non turbo) had a 260E last year but it got rearended and repair was way more than the value, (cost €600 at the auctions). So back to the 300D, she is a 1995 model with 245000 miles on the clock, and everything works as it should. Almost silent when running at seventy. Can you imagine a Ford with this milage? would be hanging apart. Now need some alloys to replace the standard steels. Nigel in Ireland.

I guess products like lucas are worth their weight in gold now aren't they.

My old 300D did 800k miles without a rebuild. It was using oil & had a ton of blowby whan it was retired. It only did long trips, >50 miles. Needed a new sump pan & oil pump pick up once ~ hit a rock. In the end it wouldnt start on a cool day.

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Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

As a 240D owner, I see how addictive they are (if you don't need massive power).

.

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ASE Master Mechanic
https://whunter.carrd.co/

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
2003 Volvo V70

https://www.boldegoist.com/