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  #16  
Old 03-20-2001, 04:57 PM
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MBenzNL
 
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: the Netherlands
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When I first got my driving license I started with a VW Golf GTD (Turbo Diesel), after that I bought myself a 190D(iesel) and now I own a C250D(iesel). In almost 10 years I have driven over 600.000km in my own diesels and another 100.000km in the diesels of my father and boss (part-time taxi driver).
There is just nothing like a diesel; it doesn't matter whether it is warm, cold, dry or wet; the diesel always runs smooth and nice. The only kind of engine that will take you for unlimited km's day in and out.
I own two petrol cars as well, but hardly use them (only when I can drive them top down), but I prefer the C250D as soon as I have to do some real road trips...

greetingz,

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1990 300SL-24
1993 C250D
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www.MBenzNL.com
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  #17  
Old 03-20-2001, 09:08 PM
clacker
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Note he said diesels, not just Mercedes!
I love the smooth running/precision throttle, no missfires or eratic idle. I love the economy, the longevity (I have not been able to wear out or kill a diesel yet), the uniqueness, the simplicity and reliability,
I don't like the future for diesel though, to much technology!

I love all diesels, VW, Dodge, Ford, whatever, they are all unique and serve a great prupose for all needs.
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  #18  
Old 03-20-2001, 09:41 PM
clacker
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Oh ya and I forgot, women DO NOT HATE diesels, in fact the ones that love them might love them even more then most guys!
I put my mother in a diesel 8 years ago, she complains now if I sell here diesel on here and wants another one! She cannot believe the economy and longevity and fun to drive and ....
When my girlfriends car was dying (91 Tercel), I took here to the VW dealer and we test drove a 2000 TDI Jetta. All it took was a drive and she bought one (never drove a diesel before, just sat in mine). She will not go back now either! She loves the economy, power, refinement...
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  #19  
Old 03-21-2001, 12:29 AM
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Join Date: Aug 1999
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
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Ok, my turn...

Alot of reasons I would mention have already been listed, but I will certainly second the sound of that engine, the incredible reliability and longevity, getting in and waiting for that glow indicator to extinguish, running a 617 turbo full-bore down the highway, and, of course the understated elegance these cars posess. William Rodgers mentioned his MB reminded him of a Boston Whaler or a Grady White, I liken them more to a Grand Banks troller (both are slow and elegant!). When our neighbor's lease on their Ford Explorer ran out, I suggested they look at a Mercedes diesel. I located a beautiful '87 300TD (which I almost bought myself!) and I remember on the wife's first test drive, she couldn't believe how wonderful this (then) 12 year old car was! We drove back to the dealership and she bought it there and then. Since that day, her and her 300TD wagon have been inseparable. And her husband also just bought a very nice '82 240D which I drove back to Cleveland from Cincinnati for them. So now both our driveways are full of MBs! I think they were thoroughly convinced seeing how many of the things we had over at our house! Oh, and, as my friends and family will attest to, you don't have a better feeling of safety unless the car you're in has a three pointed star on the hood. And this came from some friends of mine who are not the least bit interested in cars! As they say in Germany, Schonheit ist nicht der Oberflachlich! "Beauty is not an oversight".
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  #20  
Old 03-22-2001, 03:05 AM
RThomas
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Don't own an MB diesel yet..... (hesitated and missed a perfect 300D, and I am still hating myself for it). While looking I just enjoy my 93 Chevy turbodiesel truck and 89 Jetta diesel. The Jetta has a broken odometer, I bought it that way. The previous owner (who was not even the original owner) claimed he was told it broke back in 91, with the 74K that is still showing on the clock. Having owned her for 3 years, and driving over a known route that would produce 1000K a week for over a year, the little red smoker is a real gem. I figure we probably put 80-100K? on in 3years with nothing but regular maintainence, and a starter. Change the oil once a month. The truck is a heavy-duty 3/4 ton. Everyday driving averages 19-20mpg. From a 5500lbs truck that is amazing. It will even get 17mpg pulling a 4000lbs trailer at 75mph with the ac and cruise on! Diesels are great once you can appreciate the economy, longevity and reliability. They don't ask for much: clean battery terminals, clean fuel and air filters, fresh diesel and regular oil changes. I think they change your mindset about your vehicle. You stop worrying or planning for your next vehicle since the diesel, if cared for seems to last indefinitely...... Oh yeah, gotta love that sound/smell! BTW, the MB will be mine as the wife flat refuses to give up the Jetta! RT
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  #21  
Old 03-22-2001, 09:00 AM
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Well that's what she says now. Has she ever driven a Mercedes? One day she may say that you can have the Jetta.
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  #22  
Old 03-25-2001, 11:44 AM
Charly
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Makes one proud!!

Ah yes, all the comments on this mirror my opinions. I would add the subjective feeling of pride when looking out the windshield at the star hood ornament. No matter the age of the vehicle, you are still driving a Mercedes! All else is less....

1982 240D, 255K

Question?? can a turbo be added to this non-turbo engine? Is it worth the effort? How does it affect the economy and longevity.

Charly
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  #23  
Old 03-25-2001, 12:27 PM
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Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
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Retrofitting a turbo


Charly,

Mercedes-Benz strongly recommends against retrofitting a turbocharger to a non-turbo engine. Special modifications to the block and injection have been made to accomodate the turbo on those specific engines. Don't waste your time or money. Buy a 300D Turbo if you want a faster car.
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  #24  
Old 03-25-2001, 02:07 PM
sigmet
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240D turbo

I've read several articles pertaining to retrofitting turbos to 220/240D's with varying levels of success. The one successful case had a panelful of aftermarket instruments such as EGT, pyrometer, and boost. It had to be driven VERY carefully. The margin for error is very small and lots of turbo'd 240D's experienced meltdown. I think all these aftermaket experiments took place prior to Mercedes introducing their own turbodiesels.

Sigmet
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  #25  
Old 03-25-2001, 10:01 PM
Jeepboy
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MY 1st car was a Diesel

But unfortunatly it was not a M-B Diesel.
It was an 80 Bonneville coupe 5.7 Diesel. Beautiful dark green.
I nursed that thing all the way up to 174K and then it was totalled. The engine still ran great though. When i got a 95 Saturn to replace it, it was just not the same. A cute, yet totally boring car. I wanted a diesel still after i rid of my saturn at 60K and bought a wrangler. My stepfather owned 2 M-B diesels which were good to him even though he ran both into the ground.
When i bought my astral silver 300D, i rediscovered the diesel experience. Waking up my neighboors at 7am, watching the black-gray soot pour out of it when i gun it, and always leaving it run instead of turning it off when i fuel up (just like the trucks). There is something reasurring about hearing that drone when the car is in motion, or clatter at idle. What a great experience that, thank god, only a few of us appreciate and enjoy!
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  #26  
Old 03-26-2001, 03:30 AM
RThomas
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Thanks rickjordan.....

Thanks Rick, you have just painted my worst nightmare for me in vivid color! Now how am I gonna sleep at night? Maybe if she never rides in it..... Better yet, I won't tell her I bought it, I'll park it down the block! RT
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  #27  
Old 03-26-2001, 11:29 AM
clacker
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You guessed it Rickjordan, I will own the Jetta in ten years once it has served it's purpose to her...then I will cruise in style for ten more years...
She thinks the Benz's are too big for her needs, the Jetta is cute and small, easy to drive (not as cumbersome as the Mercedes "tank"), much more responsive and it has a warranty. Gotta love how solid the Mercedes' are...
Greg
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  #28  
Old 03-26-2001, 10:57 PM
PCU2000
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They're manly... compressing air to the point that it's so hot, spitting fuel oil on it makes it explode?! No sissy sparks required. But the complete answer lies in it's marriage of form and substance.
123 is a timeless classic body; not to be mistaken. But it's brute force, heat, and durability - that's the underlying appeal - its substance and essence.
And my wife loves it.
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  #29  
Old 03-31-2001, 09:25 PM
John34609
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Whe do we love diesels?

I am 39 years old. I was first around diesel engines when I was about 5 years old. My father had a truckstop and I spent alot of time tagging along, always intrigued with diesel engines... somehow even at that early age, I knew they were "different". But that was long before you could get them in automobiles or pickups... except for Mercedes Benz or perhaps other European automakers that were most obscure at the time.

When I was in college, I acquired my first diesel vehicle from my father, a 1980 International Scout with a straight 6 Nissan turbo diesel and a manual 4 speed transmission. It wasn't fast but it wasn't meant to be. I sold it a few years later for a diesel VW Jetta after college... it got 40 mpg and I loved it but my family grew and I needed bigger vehicles so I went into the SUV's etc. And I still have SUV's... but they've all been gas-jobs along with the minivan. However, I travel with my work and I need something affordable and yet dependable. My search started out for a diesel vehicle, primarily looking for a VW diesel. Couldn't find the right one... then it donned upon me: A used Mercedes Benz. Seven months prior, a friend had bought an '80 240D that was in very good shape but it was unbelievably sluggish (no offense intended to those 240 drivers out there!). But I determined that it would suit my needs. I searched long and hard and wound up with a 1984 300D turbodiesel and I love it. I have spent every weekend since I bought it working on it, fixing things, sprucing up others, it just has so much character and is so unique, unlike nearly all other vehicles on the road. And it gets decent fuel economy! Were it not for the scrurilous retailers of gas/diesel and their outrageous price differential, it would be even more economical. Instead, it costs about $.10/gallon more for diesel when it should cost about $.10-.15 LESS per gallon!!

However, I can relate to the earlier reader who said he cannot help but turn back and look at it after he parks it in the parking lot... I know exactly what he meant!

The sound of that engine is just absolutely music to my ears. I rarely listen to the radio on long trips as I am mesmerized by the sound of the 5 cylinders doing their job. It's not the perfect vehicle, far from it. But it is mine, it's repairs all performed thusfar by me and the effort put forth and the results obtained given the excellent quality of the original material is nothing short of total gratification and satisfaction. Yes, I have "bonded" with my diesel Mercedes and despite it's imperfections, I yearn to work on it, drive it, talk about it...

I am glad the original poster posed the question!

John
84 Mercedes Benz 300D Turbodiesel
1984 VW Jetta (past)
1980 Intn'l Scout turbodiesel (past)
1996 Chev. Tahoe
1999 Dodge Durango
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  #30  
Old 04-01-2001, 09:46 AM
John34609
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I think I forgot to mention in my earlier post on this matter that when I went looking for cheap transportation for my work travels, I immediately thought of diesel because too many times, I have seen gas jobs (even nearly new models!) die and leave their owner stranded all because of a stupid computer chip giving up... then the vehicle won't move an inch under it's own power! I can say with a fair amount of confidence, even given that my 300D is almost 17 years old now that there is little that can go wrong with it that I cannot deal with on the side of the road. If the transmission goes out, I can't fix and if the radiator or water pump go, I'm out of luck... but if a fuel line breaks, I get water in the fuel, run low on oil, a rear axle shaft gets funky on me, I can fix it roadside or at least limp in to the nearest station for a quick fix and get back under way. The only thing I fear on my engine is the timing chain and the vacuum pump... and they both seem to be in great shape; I'd much rather rely on them than a computer chip!!!

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