In my opinion, the '81-'85 300SD (126.120) was the most durable Mercedes ever made and would tolerate more abuse than any other Mercedes ever made. The 123s weren't quite as rugged. The 201/124 diesels were a major improvement in handling and COULD last just as long, but the maintenance to get them there will likely cost a little to a lot more.

Marshall

I think mine is a standing testament to that statement...was that a field I just drove through???

Oh, I used to have an '84 300SD. I wish I had it back. Even though I have a 603, the 617 has a special place in my heart.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

Since you guys are talking about tank like chassis and body, on an off note, consider adding the venerable G Wagen to this list as well, one of the last, truly rugged, corrugated sheet MB is among a rare breed of true 4WD and not the current crop of mall cruisers/pretender plasticky 4WD that one sees, the only other 4WD that can really match it is the old 1969 Nissan Patrol.

As for cars, my favorite will remain my 83 240D, I survived a tractor trailer hit in the back at 40mph and went on to use the car for the rest of my undergrad life after some body repair. The 240D/300D IMHO were built like tanks, the fact they survive in Beruit, Palestine, Afghanistan goes to show how well built they were, I have even seen them plying in bomb ridden Bosnia and Chechnya. Most 240D and 300D sold here in India are still running, this with multiple hits to their body and massive pounding to their chassis as well.

Flame away but the W140 is a stronger, faster, safer, better built, and all around one of the best S class MB's ever. It is a better designed then the W126, MB put tons of R&D money into it and they got what they payed for.

As for W140 exterior plastic, the front bumpers seem to be made out of the same plastic that my W126's bumpers are. But my W126 is clad in plastic along the entire lower body, the W140 isn't. The fenders and hood of the W140 are thick steel. I don't know what pos you are talking about but I know the W140 and it is not a plastic fantastic creation. Besides plastic isn't a bad thing anyway, all of that plastic on the outside of my W126 is still in perfect shape.

Everyone has an opinion, personaly I'd take an E320CDI over a 240D in about a second but thats just me. Neither car is "better" then the other, just new cars have a warranty!

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

yeah, I'd take a new CDI as well, I don't care how it's built..

Yeah, what these past two guys said. The people who are down on the MB's, 90% of the time, have never owned one. So, tell me about your relatives now who had an S500 and said it didn't compare to theri 240D...(I bet the S500 leaks a lot less).

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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I was in Belgium at the van de Velde MB wrecking yard (the largest one in Europe) on Thursday morning visiting the owner. A large truck and a couple of vans drove into the yard, and a bunch of Africans got out. They started speaking English among themselves, so I went over and started talking to them. They were there for their twice-yearly trip to purchase, for next to nothing, scrap engines out of wrecked European and American Benzes that van de Velde has shipped from the States to Europe. They loaded some 25 engines onto the truck and then took off, headed for the docks to load them into a shipping container for the trip back to Nigeria.

I asked them what they do with the engines -- they rebuild/repair them in Nigeria and put them into various Benz sedans and trucks, most with over 1 million miles on the chassis, to keep them going. They told me that the 123 is the best chassis, followed by the 126, for doing this. They will put anywhere from 3-5 engines in the chassis over their service life. They have very ingenious ways of servicing and repairing these engines on a shoestring. They prefer the non-electronic engines, and diesels and 103 motors are most preferred.

They also put the Benz diesel engines in other non-Benz cars and trucks as well, becuase they last longer and work better than the other makes of engines.

Cheers,
Gerry

Here's a photo of the truck getting loaded up with engines....

123,

Where is "here'?

P E H

The 126 is more like a speeding locomotive. The rest of 'em are tanks though.

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1985 380SE Blue/Blue - 230,000 miles
2012 Subaru Forester 5-speed
2005 Toyota Sienna
2004 Chrysler Sebring convertible
1999 Toyota Tacoma

Here are some pics of the '92 260E at the junkyard. These are pretty bad. I'm not saying this car is any less "tanklike" than any other MB, but I bet something hit this car pretty hard. You can't see it in the pictures, but the RF door/side of the car is sitting on half the passenger seat. I doubt a passenger would have survived with a seatbelt if one was in the car. These are not for the eyes of a 124 freak.

David

Attached Thumbnails

     

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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It looks like a train hit it! Or a H2 going 50+mph would probably do that.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I drove a 1981 123 for seven years which I thought (and still think) is a great car. All the driving and abuse would have destroyed any other car. That 123 was a third generation with 210,000 miles when I first got it, and then became a forth generation with my cousin in California. Now I have a 126, which is more refined and less sporty than the 123 was. However, I like the bigger trunk and smoother ride the 126's have. One things for sure, I will not sell that 126. I gave my 123 to my cousin, to drive a gasser. Now that I have a Benz diesel again, you can really appreciate what a great car it is.
- Cuban Diesel.

I second all posted opinions: W116 is in my mind the most heaviest construction of all

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"Schwarzbraun ist die Haselnuss":

1979 300D 234.000 Miles "Brownie"
daily driver,
1979 6.9 Sundays to the Tavern
and car shows "Big Brownie"

I agree with the previous post. I've driven a 116, 123, and a 126 and the 116 really does feel tankier. I'm not saying it's necessarily the safest of all the listed cars, but it feels that way.

Thanks
David

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2000 Honda Accord V6 137k miles

1972 300SEL 4.5 98k miles

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