this cheap car sure has been worth it. I have done almost nothing to the car and it has driven without any major hiccups perfectly.
I decided to take it on the trip (about 650 miles each way) and see how it handles with out turbo up and down mountains.
amazing.
never dropped below 50, and actually drove MUCH better on the return trip. I guess extended max rpm stints up mountains is the ultimate Italian tuneup.
John

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

this car was carrying Me (about 190lbs) my Brother (about 250 Lbs) all our luggage for three days in Cleveland, and enough tools to repair anything I could think of (about 200 Lbs) on the way up, and on the way back, I went about 180miles out of the way to pick up a MB 4speed with clutch, flywheel and driveshaft...(about 150Lbs) and I had NO problems with the mountains and all.
John

__________________
John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

Mountains at low altitude and high altitude are very different when it comes to turbo/non-turbo.

__________________
1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13