So what years were these engines made? As I said previously I'm not very familiar with the gasoline engines.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

My grandmother gave me my 300SD. she "Upgraded" to a 96 E300 Diesel. she liked it at first. i drove it and it drives like a dream. problem is it has a ton of problems. Her and I don't have much we talk about anymore... except the mercedes, so it is our bonding point. she told me over thinksgiving that her head gasket has blown. she is planning on getting it fixed, but it is only the most recent in a long list of problems she has had. compair that to my car and my uncels (grandmas son) 85 300CD who are running fine. It can't just be a point of view thing.

Now my anut is talking to her brothers about getting grandma a new car. she is a big toyota fan. she is trying to get grandma to trade the Mercedes in for a Lexua or Acura. I understand that Grandma needs a good car, so i'm happy they are thinking about her, but i'm upset that i'm going to loose my "Mercedes Bond" with my grandma.

I wish that quality was better in the 90s.... this is directly effecting my family.

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I'd like to hear from the people that own a 210. From what I've read so far, it doesn't look like I'd be much better off than with a rod bender, at least I would have the nice amenities.

What other choices do I have? I want a newer Benz diesel. Can't buy a 140 can't buy a 210, can't afford anything newer. Where do I go, the new Honda diesel ? Or I suppose I could go with an early 90's 124 but that is essentially what I have now. I guess I am just stuck. Any suggestions?

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Muleears
'07 E320 Bluetec 133K my DD
'04 Jaguar XJ8 VDP, 34K
'10 Hyundai Accent 60K Grocery Getter
'02 VW Golf soon to be on the road again
'97 E300 Diesel Son's DD
'61 VERY tolerant wife

Hampton Roads, VA USA

Gone but not forgotten:
'67 250S 95K
'86 300SDL
'87 300D Turbo, 364K! R.I.P.
'98 E300 Turbodiesel, 213K
'02 S420, 164K
'01 Prius 138K

"Where do I go, the new Honda diesel"

After owning and driving Mercedes for about 32 years, the last 28 were diesel MB, the time has come for me to move on to something else, I would definitely consider Honda diesel. MB really has nothing attractive for me and what they have are too expensive to buy and maintain. The main difference between the older 123/126 diesels and the new models is the practical side of the life expectancy, with the older cars you can go for a looooong time, with the newer cars you must get rid of them when the warranty expires.

Vahe
240D 77

Have you considered a VW TDI? It may not be a Benz (ok, it's not), but it has many of the features that I was looking for and that MBUSA hasn't provided me with: a modestly priced car with high fuel economy, good reliability, good performance, manual transmission, and no fancy gadgets that break down.

BTW my W210 was on Ebay for sale a month ago or so, but I was totally repulsed by people's lack of appreciation for all the work and fixes that I've done to the car so I decided to take it off the market. It seems that most people just want to have a free lunch and they don't give a damn.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Just curious, why do you "want" a newer model? What is the advantage over what you have now?

"Have you considered a VW TDI? It may not be a Benz (ok, it's not), but it has many of the features that I was looking for and that MBUSA hasn't provided me with: a modestly priced car with high fuel economy, good reliability, good performance, manual transmission, and no fancy gadgets that break down."

I had a real nasty experience with VW dealerships and specifically their service department. Some years ago I bought a brand new VW Jetta for my daughter who started college, the car from day one was consuming too much oil, we live in Houston and she had to drive 200 miles to San Antonio where the college was located, after each 200 miles trip the car needed a quart or even more. We complained but the dealership went out of their way not to do anything about the problem or be helpful in any way. After much arguing they did gave in and did a complete ring job on the nearly new engine, it did not help.
After that experience I am not about to do business with VW again.

Vahe
240D 77 350K

That's terrible. I guess I've been lucky with my VW, but then again I've never taken it to a VW dealership. I bought it used and I do all my work. The Jetta does have some cheapness to it, namely interior rattles, but overall it's been a reliable vehicle so far. Other than routine maintenance I just had to replace the brake light switch which totally drained my battery one night. Good thing it happened in my garage.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

Early 80's. Problem was fixed in about 84, still it is a weak design.

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

Our 93 300d 2.5 turbo that cost $43K new just doesn't feel as good as the 91 350SDL that cost $68K new. The 350 feels like a mb, while the 300d is just an intermediate car. It's little things: smaller mirrors that don't give like the old cars, wide heater elements in the rear mirror vs. very tiny close spaced elements in the 91; no glove box, just small stuff....

The sweetest mb I own is the 83 manual 240D...

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71 220D 169K wrecked
83 240D 118K sweet 4 speed
91 350SDL (one of the 60% good engines) 156K
84 300d (loaner to my sister) 189K
79 300SD (partswagen)
86 420SEL partswagen
70 220d (partswagen)
68 280s GASSER!!! under construction now
85 300sd 310K miles winter beater car retired
93 300d 2.5 turbo 168K wife's car
83 280SL euro 5 speed 155K
69 250S newest project 54K

The one I have, although showing no signs of impending demise, is showing some age. I travel a lot for work and I need to know that I won't be left beside the road in the middle of nowhere. I realize a new car can do that as well. But given the choice I hope one with 150K on the clock will be a little more dependable than one with 310K. I plan on keeping the old 124, probably as a first car for #2 son, who is 15.

Just looking for something a little newer, nicer and a little more comfortable. I was hoping a 210 would fit the bill. Thanks for your advice.

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Muleears
'07 E320 Bluetec 133K my DD
'04 Jaguar XJ8 VDP, 34K
'10 Hyundai Accent 60K Grocery Getter
'02 VW Golf soon to be on the road again
'97 E300 Diesel Son's DD
'61 VERY tolerant wife

Hampton Roads, VA USA

Gone but not forgotten:
'67 250S 95K
'86 300SDL
'87 300D Turbo, 364K! R.I.P.
'98 E300 Turbodiesel, 213K
'02 S420, 164K
'01 Prius 138K

I am assuming you want a Diesel W210 since this was posted in the Diesel section but I have a 96 W210 with the M104 gas engine.
It currently has 196K miles on it. It has been a reliable car and I would say that it still drives like it was new.
I don't have any rust on the spring perches or any other part of the body.
No problems with the electrical system or any oil leaks.
Not sure if you have considered the gas model but I believe you can buy them pretty cheap these days. Also, I would recommend the M104 engine from the 96-97 MY instead of the V6.