Just stirring up the forum a bit. My 300SD was rusting bad, was never driven for 5 years, always garaged, waxed, driven on salt. Looking at the rust everyday was killing me. After about 4 hours straight on those seats, I couldn't feel my rear end
Is your sisters TDI auto or manual? I havent driven an automatic one, though I have heard that they are quite slower than the manual ones.

Like hell you can't.. I drove my 300SDL 50 miles in a snowstorm with no headlights or windshield wipers with a dead alternator, and a completely dead battery (sounds like one of those stories your father tells you about walking to school uphill both ways). The speedometer didn't even work.

Sis's is automatic ... so that might explain the lack of kick. Never driven a manual in either a TDI or an MB. I wish MB had made manuals available in my car in the US ... I'd be interested to see what kind of performance it would offer. To be honest I'm more of an automatic person anyway ... learned to drive on automatic, so I guess I just got used to it, sluggishness and all.

Interesting about the rust ... I wish I could say mine has no rust, but the rust that's there is not much considering what the car's been through. I'm going to POR15 it as soon as the weather allows. Rocker panels are the only part that's gotten problematic.

Now, my 240D ... has a little bit of rust on the car. Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say there's little bit of car on the rust ...

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1987 300D, arctic white/palomino--314,000 miles
1978 240D 4-speed, Euro Delivery, light ivory/bamboo--370,000 miles
2005 Jeep Liberty CRD Limited, light khaki/slate--140,000 miles
2018 Chevy Cruze diesel, 6-speed manual, satin steel metallic/kalahari--19,000 miles
1982 Peugeot 505 diesel, 4-speed manual, blue/blue, 130,000 miles
1995 S320, black/parchment--34,000 miles (Dad's car)

Well, I meant all things DIESEL.

The only thing governed by electronics is the MAF sensory device towards the rear of the engine under the intake manifold. This controls the idle, the air recirculation valve and the EGR, if I remember correctly.

Yes, the idle may be a little rough, the speedometer, tachometer, lights and whatever won't funtion. But you'll make it to your destination if there is fuel in that tank.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

But you'll make it to your destination if there is fuel in that tank.

Till the sun sets...

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'90 300SE 298k
-300K and it gets put into retirement.
'80 300D 255k Purchased new by family in 1980.

Had a:
1973 220 (gas)
1980 300SD
1992 400E

My car living its life in Ca, being garaged, and not driven in the rain will probabaly pro-long its life for a good 20 years, if the moronic drivers here dont think otherwise. Id love to have a TDI at some point. I like the current Jetta styling alot... love the 2004.5-2005.5 GLI body kit and 18" BBS wheels. Id love to grab a Jetta TDI, chip it, give it the GLI body package, and drive the hell out of it while my w123 stays safe and away from the masses.

I also am interested in what will come of the rumored Diesel/Hybrid cars being developed... that might be a very cool thing and I hope it goes into production. The prius has grown on me quite a bit I must say. Clean Clean Clean.

I always have my w123, even if it does rust out and fall to pieces. But thats unlikely here.

Graduate to a TDI? SURE! why not let a TDI suffer the woes of being used, dinged, hit, and rained on while retaining great economy and although quiter, the distinctive klatta klatta klatta noise, while my W123 remains "preserved" and loved. I wanna be one of the guys with a really nice 300D in 25 years.

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Nate

1995 E420
1992 BMW 525i
1984 300D Turbo sold
1993 Volvo 244 sold
1995 Volvo 944T R.I.P!


"The details are not details. They make the product."
-Charles Eames

www.cbs.nu

Why? You onlyu need lights to see what you have hit so you know if you have to bury it or if you can leave it. That is what flashlights are for.

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

I'm like you Don-Have both a VW-TDI and (2) MBs 240D. Like the TDI for pick-up, mine is 5 speed. Gets great mileage 42/51. I have a few issues with trim-cheaper material(headliners, plastics) the am portion of my radio sucks. Had a few electronic glitches but hopefully I have those ironed out. My VW has a 12 Yr. corrosion warranty--longest in the industry(audi has same). The doors on my TDI-NB close like a Bank Vault-they are HEAVY. The interior electronics at night are great-nice cool red/blue int. and dash lights. As I have owned 4 VWs since my first in the military-bought in 68 for $1600 out the door, the old VWs simply cannot compare to the new except in the quality dept.--interiors and ext. IMHO were of higher and more lasting quality. In the new VWs-my Ac freezes me out, Heater works great, like the heated seats.Air bags, anti-locks and the front wheel drive has super traction in our frequent rain storms here in south fl. Some of the new TDIs are approaching close to 400,000 miles and still running great-so they are pretty durable motors by anyone's standards. Parts can be $$$ but As I search around I am finding quality parts cheaper,much more then the dealer. For the $6K I payed for the car 16 months ago, I can't ***** too much. Had I payed the new price, maybe. On the Safty issue, I have seen some TDIs after the accidents and they protected the occupants well--crumple zones and airbags did their jobs admirably. On my 81 240D(have a '77 also) the interior almost looks like that of a well maintained 2000 yr. car. Wood still good, chrome bright, seats look great, carpet is nice, bumpers very nice, shiny no pitting, headliner still like new,-what can I say--MB quality in this pre 87 era car(when mb still made cars) amazes me every time I open the door. I am left thinking-how the hell can a car still look this good and be 24 Yrs.old--amazing testimony to a quality car of the MB Golden era. But its like comparing apples to oranges-if MB were still making the 240D/300TD today with exact quality-what would the price be-60K plus? I like both, but hopefully I will never have to sell the Old MB-Hopefully it will be my WVO conversion. Call me Addicted, I have two Mistresses.

I just bought a 2000 VW Golf GLS TDI on Thursday last week. I absolutely love that little car. I don't know why people don't like the way these cars handle, I think it feels like a little go-cart. Mine's dark green with a tan velour interior, and the 4 speed adaptive automatic. If I had it to do all over again, I might have looked more and found a 5 speed manual, but in my advancing years the automatic may just be the ticket.

I learned there are a few tricks to getting that 700 mile range out of the cars.

One is don't try it with the automatic. Well, I don't think so anyway. i just started my second tankful tonight after I learned how to 'vent' so I can actually get the advertised capacity of the fuel tank. So that's the second trick, you have to vent the tank to get that extra 1-2 gallons in the tank.

Finally, I think I am going to have to stay out of the boost as much as I have been into it. That acceleration will really put a goofy smile on your face after being used to the SD.

Despite the size differences between the two cars, i think the VW will be safer in an accident, not to mention better at accident avoidance. The brakes on the VW are incredible.

I am trying to sell the SD, but everytime I get in the SD and drive it it makes me sad to sell it. Before I got the Golf I was in such a rush to get rid of the Mercedes, but now I have some reluctance. Oh well.

Ps one other thing I really like about my Golf is the reasonably new set of Yokohamas it's wearing. This is the first time I have had experience with this brand. These tires are quiet and very comfortable, and I have not made them squeal yet.

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TXBill



Former owner of a few diesel MB cars
1998 Lexus ES 300 In Chicago We Trust

Good thing about the TDI is, regardless of how fast I drive, I am still going to get over 750KM/tank !!!

I too have not got the tires on my TDI's to squeal.

For you TDI naysayers - they are excellent cars. Remember, germans designed these as well.
They are safe for a small car. I break 700 miles per tank on summer blend. My mercedes' sit indoors in the winter.
It really is apples and oranges. I would reccomend a TDI to anyone Granted some have quality issues - I have not experienced any yet. I rack up some serious mileage on my TDI in the winter running kids for hockey. I installed an aftermarket deck, kicker sub and Sirius satellite radio. Unbelievable sound! Unfortunately I can only fit 1 hockeybag in the trunk now

They both have their merits. My wife and I would fight over who got to drive the Benz to work in the summer, so I had to go out and find another one I love being able to successfully work on the Mercedes. You guys must admit that the vacuum systems and electronics of that era leave something to be desired

Heck, I can even make an argument for a fast gasser (my TL). It's nice to step on the pedal and GO. Good thing my wife normally drives that, even my radar detector wouldn't protect me the way I drive the TL. It's so fast and feels like you're going 50mph

Bottom line - all have thier merits, it depends on what you like.

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'85 300D - 206K (sold)
'81 240D - 149K (sold)
'03 Jetta TDI - (sold)
'79 300D - (sold)