My near perfect 1991 300D was in a front end accident last week and it looks like it will be up to me to either repair ($6000) or take a check for the insurance value ($7600 best guess as of now).

If I decide to take the money and purchase a newer diesel, how do they rate - 95 through 99?

fox i dont have any diesels as new as you ask about but i do collect the older ones and was wondering what your wrecked one could be purchased for? also where are you located?
larry perkins,lou ky
71 old cars
15027276903

If you cannot get the 300D repaired, I suggest that you look for a 1994-95 E300D. It's the same W124 bodystyle, with the most refinements the W124 bodystyle has to offer, and the often called "flawless" and "bulletproof" OM606 engine, which are stacking up some pretty high miles on them now, with 300K miles not being unheard.
-Joe

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'81 MB 300SD, '82 MB 300D Turbo (sold/RIP), '04 Lincoln Town Car Ultimate

Sooner or later every car falls apart, ours does it later!
-German Narrator in a MB Promotion Film about the then brand new W123.