hey all...
help help help...
both are about the same price...
the coupe is a 1978 in great shape through and through, with a need for reupholstering...w/new engine w/100K miles on it and a rebuilt tranny with 30K on it...

the 1983 is a turbo with 266K on it...a minor paint scratch on drivers side and some light pitted rust on the hood, not sure what underside looks like...interior is great


help...

anyone know which of the two gets better mpg?
this is going to be my future Veggie oil car...
with my e430 as a night time weekend car....

help...

__________________
~there is no spoon~

1984 300CD Turbo Diesel (soon to be "powered by VEGGIE") - dolphin silver

1999 e430 Sport blk/blk, my sexy ***** ;-)

(my other girls)
1992 300CE 24V 3.0L (w124) (R.I.P. "she was killed 7/12/03 by some ricer kids speeding in a honda accord")
1990 Acura Integra RS (w/94' engine)
1966 Cadillac Sedan de Ville (Hardtop)

With turbo in mind is a faster car, prev owner may tend to drive her harder than a non turbo.
Same as your 430, if it were a 300 the driver would take it more easy.

how much of a difference is there between a non-turbo and a turbo?

__________________
~there is no spoon~

1984 300CD Turbo Diesel (soon to be "powered by VEGGIE") - dolphin silver

1999 e430 Sport blk/blk, my sexy ***** ;-)

(my other girls)
1992 300CE 24V 3.0L (w124) (R.I.P. "she was killed 7/12/03 by some ricer kids speeding in a honda accord")
1990 Acura Integra RS (w/94' engine)
1966 Cadillac Sedan de Ville (Hardtop)

The Turbo is like adding a cylinder once you get moving. Although my 78 non turbo is a little faster off the line to about 30.
There are also more sedans in boneyards to get parts from.

__________________
1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

gotcha...
that's what i thought...
off the line performance would be eh until you actually got it going

wondering also...
if i were to modify the exhaust system on a 300cd non-turbo
would that also help?
or does it not matter since diesels don't have catalytic converters?
or do they?
i'm so not in the know so plesae educate me everyone

__________________
~there is no spoon~

1984 300CD Turbo Diesel (soon to be "powered by VEGGIE") - dolphin silver

1999 e430 Sport blk/blk, my sexy ***** ;-)

(my other girls)
1992 300CE 24V 3.0L (w124) (R.I.P. "she was killed 7/12/03 by some ricer kids speeding in a honda accord")
1990 Acura Integra RS (w/94' engine)
1966 Cadillac Sedan de Ville (Hardtop)

Appears there is only ONE way to go. You buy BOTH of them

I agree.

But if you have to have one, I'd go with the coupe because of the new engine/tranny.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

The 300CD is going to have the dreaded AC Servo, so keep that in mind...
The 300D is going to have a little more power on the freeway...
Remember these cars are known for going 2 million miles

All things being equal, 4 doors is nice when you are hauling stuff and kids. Also there are some great improvements on the newer ones -- the ac servo and turbo being a couple. Power window motors are better i believe. Mainly i like the 4 doors. Tough one though.

__________________
What Would Rudolph Do?
1975 300D, 1975 240D, 1985 300SD, 1997 300D, 2005 E320 , 2006 Toyota Prius

Drive them both, then post your results.

Personally I favor the turbo models because they offer better power at speed. I also favor the improved design of the climate controls, minor interior trim updates, and the addition of the bundt wheels. A well taken car of 300D Turbo with 266K on the clock is bound to need some work- a new transmission may be needed at some point soon, just depends on how the car was cared for.

As for the 300CD, the interior cosmetic work if restored properly can cost $1K easily. While it has a newer motor and nearly new transmission, it will still pale in comparison to the power the 300D Turbo sedan has to offer when tuned properly.

It comes down to personal preferences. They are both great cars, and both offer great economy. You may be ahhead of the game with the 300CD in terms of mechanical condition, but behind in terms of space and performance which the 300D Turbo has. Drive them, get a feel for em, and tell us what you think and feel.

__________________
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

Turbos are much more powerful, but get the one that you like the best.

__________________
1981 300D 147k
1998 VW Jetta Tdi 320k
2001 Dodge Ram 2500 141k
1979 300D 234k (sold)
1984 300D "Astor" 262k(sold)
Mercedes How-To and Repair Pictorials
I love the smell of diesel smoke in my hair

you're absolutely right...i'm a coupe fan, but i'm worried that the 1978 300cd non-turbo coupe will have probs going up the hills that i have to drive on a daily basis...


any thoughts with your expertise?
also do the turbo engines get crappier mpg

__________________
~there is no spoon~

1984 300CD Turbo Diesel (soon to be "powered by VEGGIE") - dolphin silver

1999 e430 Sport blk/blk, my sexy ***** ;-)

(my other girls)
1992 300CE 24V 3.0L (w124) (R.I.P. "she was killed 7/12/03 by some ricer kids speeding in a honda accord")
1990 Acura Integra RS (w/94' engine)
1966 Cadillac Sedan de Ville (Hardtop)