Look out for California cars. Depending on which year, I think some of the California cars have some fairly onerous emissions controls. I don't know the details, but searching the diesel forum for the word "California" might turn up some good info.

BTW, I had a 1979 300SD (W116 chassis) which was a great car, but a rust bucket. My current MB is a 1985 300D (W123). The more I live with the 300D, the more I like it. The 300SD's are nice, but I have gotten to where I prefer the 300D. I think it's a matter of personal preference, though.

Of course, which is why I qualified my statement with "if I had a choice."

I don't think I'll be seeing too many California cars up here in British Columbia. Although, like California, we don't have too much of a problem with rust up here.

Nobody ever seems to try to point out the bad parts of owning an old MB so I will. No matter how well maintained a vehicle you find, it is still a 20+yr old vehicle. This means many of the little bits and pieces have degraded over time. They may be functional when you get the car and then start giving up on a regular basis shortly afterwards. I bought a nice example of an '84 300D. It has needed alot of work just to keep after the little annoying things regardless of how nicely kept it was, etc. Anyone that owns an old MB must be able to work on the car, or able to afford to have someone else do it. Owning an old MB and being able to change the oil, etc. is not enough. You have to be able and inclined to do things like change out CC amps, change brakelines, adjust valves, remove the dash to work on ACC issues, etc. Keeping these cars up can be very labor intensive. Paying for it can get expensive. They are old, its not a matter of IF they give you trouble, its WHEN. Don't buy one on a whim, know what you are getting into. RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

Wellllllll, if you really want to know, we here at this diesel MB site, are all a bunch of glutens for punishment! It's like bondage, we like working on'em so much, it hurts, bloody knuckles and all!

Very true.

If you wish to maintain these vehicles to the level where everything works properly and all the trim and interior pieces look good, you can spend a ton of money on parts.

I've spent $4K on the SDL in a little over one year and there are no major items of note. Just $100 here and $200 there. Tires and a head unit added $600. Some work at the indy on the way up from Florida tacked on another $700.

Hattie spent quite a bit less on the SDL but has managed to spend close to $10K in parts in the same time frame.

Rob, you can be somewhat thankful you have a W123. The SDL's are not cheap to keep, by any means.

I have a 1987 300SDL California car, and I live in BC. It still has the trap oxidizer installed, which is the subject of a recall that only Mercedes USA will repair. MB Canada says that it's not their problem, and want nothing to do with it. I'll have to take my car to Bellingham to be repaired. I have temporarily punched out the remaining contents of the trap oxidizer, which will have to do until I replace it with a straight pipe.

If you plan on getting a California Mercedes diesel, make sure the trap oxidizer has been replaced before you bring it into Canada. Federal law actually requires that any and all recalls be repaired before the car can legally be imported. Somehow mine slipped through the cracks.

Where in the province are you located? You can add your location to your profile, so we'll all know. I may know of a few reasonably priced Mercedes diesels locally. (Not mine)

Brian,
The only other MB I would consider buying is a 86-87 SDL.... I guess I am a glutton for punishment! RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I want to throw my two cents in, although it probably isn't worth even two cents...

Being new to the older diesels I would not take lightly the fact that these cars do need maintenance to make them right and keep them right. True, a w123 will probably last a much above-average time if neglected, however, it will all catch up to you.

I spent $4895 for my 83 300TD wagon in silver, a w123. It had numerous receipts totalling over $6000 in work over the previous two years. A Las Vegas car with no rust and shiny paint. The only thing wrong with it is two cracks on the dashboard and there is a door-lock vacuum leak so the locks with isolated from the vacuum system. I have spent over $4000 on it replacing the suspension and engine work (mostly mechanicals) getting it to ride the way I want it to, which is very good. Anyway, I wrench on cars some but I am not a mechanic and I have started to realize that since I can;t do the big work myself I am spending a lot of money on a car that is very reliable, but is 22 years old. I am considering selling this car even though I love it and really enjoy reading the diesel shopforum. For me, it might not make sense. I am lucky enough to be able to buy a new car cash, but I love the older cars. I don't know, I just think I would feel better about the w123 if I was more mechanically inclined. I feel guilty/stupid having to spend the money that many good mechanics writing here would probably never have to spend.

In short, I just wanted to mention that although these cars may be relatively bargain for what you get, they will demand your $$$ or wrenching expertise routinely. Unless of course you are happy to drive it into the ground, but all of us on shopforum do care about the cars and demonstrate that. Just know what you are getting into.

Many all this I have said is naive?

--CD

There is really not too much difficulty in stepping up to an SDL. But I wouldn't suggest a person who is new to M/B diesels to go out and purchase one. There are exceptions, of course, and there are folks on here who have done exactly that and have been successful with them.

Excellent analysis and conclusion. I completely agree that these vehicles are not economically feasible unless the owner does almost all the labor.

Naive? Not at all.

My 300SD seems to be a good car, I prefer the smoother running and more powerful 603 but thats just me! For a first timer with a $5k budget I would look for a nice 300SD. SDL's are great cars but they can bite you in more ways then an SD can. Also SDL specific parts are EXTREMLY EXPENSIVE, I know I have replaced them.

$350 for new engine vac pump
$400 for new radiator
$650 for oil cooler assembly
If the head blows:
$2k

In contrast the 300SD's have cheap radiators, cheap vac pumps that you can rebuild, and cheap oil cooler lines. The shorter body is kind of nice as well. My ideal W126 would be a 1990 350SD, short wheel base with a more powerfull 603.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

To chime in from this end of the perspectives: I've said all along unless he can perform his own work it would be better to get the newest and best conditioned vehicle financial budget would permit.

I was about to purchase a 35k+ convertible M3. Instead I purchased a very well preserved 300D (some what neglected with maintenance) for 3.5K. Figure I saved an easy 30K right there. As for having to work on the 300D to keep it going, it happens to be my hobby and passion: I love working on cars so the 300D is my good excuse. I enjoy the fact that it is well over 20years but still has more class than most of the new cars including Lexus. Best of all, hydra connected black boxes and much less headaches dealing with Uncle Sam's emission control laws. So yes these old MB cars are best suited for car hobbyist or people with money to burn

Just got myself a new Porter Cable 6hp air compressor, 1/2" 800ft/lb Ingersol-Rand impact gun & CP 90ft/lb pneumatic wrench Slowly but surely my show is building up. I dream of the day I will have a four post lift woo hoo!

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Peter
1984 300D MB "Klara"
1996 4Runner SR5 "Toy"
1997 Impreza Outback "Subie"
80's Diesel PU Rig (to be purchased)

FWIW I bought an '85 300D for 1K$. I was able to drive it home and have dropped ~1k$ in parts into it over the last few monthes. I am almost ready to replenish vital fluids and start it in preparations for additional trouble shooting and pursuit of returning the car to road worthy status. I'm new to MB's but approached this as an expirament with the suspicion that the car I was getting into was neglected and abused somewhat. To date my suspicions are true. I'm currently on track with regard to anticipated expenses, condition and expectations. I was joking with my wife that every component to date that I've tested or evaluated has been faulty or in need of attention. That's somewhat true but the flip side is that I find this car to be extremely pleasant to work on. I am concurrently working on an '01 diesel VW, a '94 toyota landcruiser (I'm not reallt working on it as that car has been the most reliable/dependable vehicle I have ever owned) and a '67 landrover. The MB is without hesitation the most straightforward in terms of working on it. The only real snafu's I have encounter are bodges put in place by previous owners somewhere along the line.

I'd imagine your mileage may vary.

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Rob M
Norwich, VT USA
1980 240D Euro delivery 4 speed manual silver/blue
~160K miles

That is the truth. These cars are really well thought out.