Hey...

I was thinking of maybe purchasing another mercedes in the near future but this time it might be a 1995 320SL. I was wondering if any of you guys ever made the crossover from diesel to gas in the same mercedes family ? Is it actually worth doing it ? Are the gas models built like tanks as well ? Don't get me wrong, I still love the diesel but I'm a young buck that has new ideas every day.... you only live once so why drive the same car for a long time ?

Picture for people that don't know the car..These aren't even that bad and can be had for less than 20k.

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Audi TT

MB makes some of the best gas engines in the world.

Other then the fact that SL's are not cheap cars to own they are very very nice. The driveline on that car is the cheap part, I'd worry more about the rest of the car.

I think that would be a M104 I6. Other then head gaskets they are pretty hard to kill.

I'd buy an SL500 though. The M119 is a much better engine and I'd rather have 300hp under the hood of a sports car.

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

Right on with that, that engine like to have a new headgasket every 60K or so. Not a bad car, good luck paying the insurance if you are young...

I've got a few gas benzes myself, theyre not too bad. I like my pair of 560's though, its nice to punch the gas and actully have quick throttle response once in awhile

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1980 500SE/AMG Euro
1981 500SEL Euro
1982 380SEL
1983 300TD
1983 500SEC/AMG Euro
1984 500SEC
1984 300TD Euro
1986 190E 2.3-16
1986 190E 2.3
1987 300D
1997 C36 AMG
2003 C320T 4matic

past: 1969 280SE 4.5 | 1978 240D | 1978 300D | 1981 300SD | 1981 300SD | 1982 300CD | 1983 300CD | 1983 300SD | 1983 380SEC | 1984 300D | 1984 300D | 1984 300TD | 1984 500SEL | 1984 300SD | 1985 300D | 1986 300E | 1986 560SEL | 1986 560SEL/Carat | 1987 560SEC | 1991 300D 2.5 | 2006 R350

I've driven quite a few of both. The diesels are great and I started with them back in the days when most gas engines still had carburetors. Compared to a carbureted gas engine, a diesel Benz will outlast it by a wide margin. An injected gas car is a totally different matter. As far as engine longevity goes, the injected gas engine will last about as long as a diesel and if it is has the same number of cylinders it will usually be less expensive to repair/overhaul when the time comes.

As far as the 95 SL goes, it has an M104 engine which is a good engine. The head gasket reputation it has is a bad deal, but this does not mean that EVERY 104 engine will need a head gasket at a given mileage.

Good luck,

I've driven gas all my life till we got the diesel. So, to answer your question, I have one foot on each side of the line. I could go either way depending on what the use of the vehicle is. To be an in town commuter, I'd go gas. For long distance cruising, diesel

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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 have had lots of benzes. most have been diesels. i like the performance of the gas cars but in my mind i just always think of diesels as being a more quality motor. when i think of the gas engine equipped benzes... i just think "too bad the motor is inferior". at present i own three diesel mb and two gas.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.