N/A 603 question. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

R Leo · #1 11-21-2006, 10:08 PM

Going tomorrow to take a look at a gray-market '85 300D (W124 chassis). It's an automatic, non-turbo but, I didn't think to ask if it was five or six cylinder.

If it's a six, did the n/a engines suffer from the same cracked head problems as the turbocharged engines?

greasybenz · #2 11-21-2006, 10:11 PM

supposidly the euro W124's with the N/A 603's didnt suffer the cracked head problems that the US turbo model did. And i believe the 300D was a 6cyl, someone here on the forum has a W124 200D thats a 4cyl according to him.

5 speed 190D tranny

R Leo · #3 11-21-2006, 10:19 PM

Quote:

supposidly the euro W124's with the N/A 603's didnt suffer the cracked head problems

someone here on the forum has a W124 200D thats a 4cyl according to him

Methinks the 4cyl in a 124 would most likely be a 601 engine.

No head probs is good news...wasn't there was a 300D 2.5 sold in the USA that had the OM602 (5-cyl version of the 603) engine? But, I don't know if that if that engine option was offered in Europe in the 124. And, the pics I've seen so far are typical of Euros, no badging on the trunk so no info there either.

225k on the clock, no workee a/c and LF fender/headlight damage from impacting a whitetail at 45mph. The guy wants out of it and I'm here with the $$. Christmas time has been good to me for collecting Benzos.

Hatterasguy · #4 11-21-2006, 10:39 PM

Probably a NA 603. AFAIK a 14 head is a 14 head.

Johnhef · #5 11-22-2006, 12:16 AM

Euro with a 602 would be badged a 250D

greasybenz · #6 11-22-2006, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

Euro with a 602 would be badged a 250D

ahh i learned something today!

Was always curious what a 250D was...

Hatterasguy · #7 11-22-2006, 12:29 AM

We had them in this country, MB just called them the 300D 2.5.

jcyuhn · #8 11-22-2006, 09:50 AM

Overseas the 250D could be had in both n/a and turbo form. Most 124 taxis - I've ridden in more than a few - are n/a 250D with a five-speed.

I could swear I've heard tell of similar head cracking problems with early 601 and 602 head castings. Can't find anything to substantiate it at the moment, however.

- JimY

the tenor man · #9 11-22-2006, 12:19 PM

Here's something to think about...

A friend of mine had a 260SE that he wanted to sell me...nice car 126 chassis...when I called my insurance company, they couldn't find the VIN in their system. When I told them it was a Euro...they would not insure but gave me a number of a company that would. It seems "safety issues" where the reason and I would need to pay a big premium...I passed.

Good Luck
The Tenor Man

R Leo · #10 11-22-2006, 04:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by the tenor man

Here's something to think about...

A friend of mine had a 260SE that he wanted to sell me...nice car 126 chassis...when I called my insurance company, they couldn't find the VIN in their system. When I told them it was a Euro...they would not insure but gave me a number of a company that would. It seems "safety issues" where the reason and I would need to pay a big premium...I passed.

Good Luck
The Tenor Man

Good point but, you just have to be persistent to get Euros insured. I already have insured one Euro model, an 85 240D. Farmers couldn't find the VIN either but, I've had the same agent for 10+ years and, my Mom worked in underwriting at the parent company before she retired so I know that those issues do come up. All they have to do is 'hand code' the policy.

FWIW, they had a buyer that wanted to pay $650 for the vehicle....supposedly coming over tonight to pick it up. For the record, it's über rough inside...knee-deep in crap in the back floor, driver's seatback broken on the inboard side, a/c non-functional, ACC kaput and has an aftermarket valve on the heater hose to shut the heater water off. This is a n/a 603 with the #14 head and, interestingly enough, SLS. However, the accumulators are shot and it rides like hell in addition to suffering deer impact damage to the LF fender, headlight and bumper. It did run very well and would be a fun car to have, being a 124 and all...

I might be willing to pay $300-500 for it but not $650+...I gave them my number and asked to give me a call if the other buyer bailed or didn't show.

We'll see...

Perkinsguy · #11 11-22-2006, 06:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by R Leo

Going tomorrow to take a look at a gray-market '85 300D (W124 chassis). It's an automatic, non-turbo but, I didn't think to ask if it was five or six cylinder.

If it's a six, did the n/a engines suffer from the same cracked head problems as the turbocharged engines?

R Leo..........I tried to put a 617 into a 124 I found it near impossible and was likely factory impossible and never concieved, hense new model w124! According to the 124 bible, 124's were available in europe late in 1984 I think?

sixto · #12 11-22-2006, 07:14 PM

Wasn't there was a 124 with 617 on eBay a few months ago?

Sixto
93 300SD

R Leo · #13 11-22-2006, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Perkinsguy

R Leo..........I tried to put a 617 into a 124 I found it near impossible and was likely factory impossible and never concieved, hense new model w124! According to the 124 bible, 124's were available in europe late in 1984 I think?

This one was technically a 1985 model. To get parts here, you look in the '87 bin.

Probably academic now, I haven't heard from them.

Hit Man X · #14 11-22-2006, 11:45 PM

Was this that gold colored one on CL?

Heck, the SLS would make me consider it. Accumulators aren't too expensive. I don't think an N/A 603 would be that bad to drive around.

R Leo · #15 11-23-2006, 07:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

Was this that gold colored one on CL?

Precisely.

Quote:

Heck, the SLS would make me consider it. Accumulators aren't too expensive. I don't think an N/A 603 would be that bad to drive around.

I think, the 124 SLS uses the same accumulators as the 140. They're $117/ea from Phil. I was pretty surprised at how well it ran...pulled good for no turbo.