Thinking about selling the TDI for an MB - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

chuck95e300d · #31 12-18-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

Looking for ideas/opinions on a relatively new MB diesel to replace our Golf TDI. I've seen the E300D and E300TD...

I like my 95 E300D but the ownership experience can prove to be costly. If you decide to get one of these cars, get a prepurchase inspection...

aklim · #32 12-18-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwthomas1

Love my MB but it is very different to my TDI. When I want to cruise and take my time I drive the MB. If I am making a long highway trip at fairly high cruising speeds then the TDI is the better choice. Its quieter than my 300D at 75mph and gets 47mpg doing it. If I just puttered about town then the MB would be fine. I feel the VW is a superior distance car. Economy alone dictates that. Sell a TDI to buy an MB? No way, decent TDI's are tough enough to find and quite pricey on the used market. I own both, thats how I reconcile the need to have both. Two different cars with two different personalities for two different uses. RT

I dunno. If you are going the distance, do you want a car that is going to let you step out and feel good or do you want a small thing that beats you up during the drive? I can only stand those small things for a short period of time before I get irritated. For in town commuting, I'd go with the TDI. Long distance, I'd go with the 210.

justinperkins · #33 12-18-2006, 10:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck95e300d

I like my 95 E300D but the ownership experience can prove to be costly. If you decide to get one of these cars, get a prepurchase inspection...

You're talking about the W210 chassis right? I would much prefer the W124 of the same year due to being the end of the chassis style rather than the first year. I'm willing to bet a lot of problems you experienced with that vehicle did not exist in the later model years such as 98, 99, which are still quite affordable.

vahe · #34 12-18-2006, 12:32 PM

"I'm a little surprised to get so many "don't sell the TDI" comments on an MB diesel forum. You guys must really dislike the modern diesels from MB."

There is only on negative on newer MB diesels, EXPENSIVE to maintain. VERY EXPEN$IVE. If you can handle it go for it.
Vahe
240D 77 350K

Hatterasguy · #35 12-18-2006, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

I dunno. If you are going the distance, do you want a car that is going to let you step out and feel good or do you want a small thing that beats you up during the drive? I can only stand those small things for a short period of time before I get irritated. For in town commuting, I'd go with the TDI. Long distance, I'd go with the 210.

How true, my cousin had a late model Jetta but she traded it in. Anyway its a little car I wouldn't want to take it on a road trip. I value my comfort I'll take the S, screw the mileage fuel is cheap.

W210's are great highway cars as well, but the W140 is quiter and has a bit more room.

Eskimo · #36 12-18-2006, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuck95e300d

I like my 95 E300D but the ownership experience can prove to be costly. If you decide to get one of these cars, get a prepurchase inspection...

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

You're talking about the W210 chassis right? I would much prefer the W124 of the same year due to being the end of the chassis style rather than the first year. I'm willing to bet a lot of problems you experienced with that vehicle did not exist in the later model years such as 98, 99, which are still quite affordable.

I'm pretty sure that chuck95e300d has exactly that for which you are expressing a preference: a last-year W124.

justinperkins · #37 12-18-2006, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eskimo

I'm pretty sure that chuck95e300d has exactly that for which you are expressing a preference: a last-year W124.

Ok, I see your point with the user name, but there *is* a W210 E300D that was available in 1995.

Eskimo · #38 12-18-2006, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

Ok, I see your point with the user name, but there *is* a W210 E300D that was available in 1995.

I wasn't drawing my conclusion based on his screen name. I supposed that he has a W124 because he has posted pictures of it on this forum, and it sure looks like a W124 to me!

To me, screen names are sort of like proper nouns. They aren't always capitalized, though, so I bold 'em - the same way the "quote" function of the forum software does.

rwthomas1 · #39 12-18-2006, 05:52 PM

I guess its preference but I find the '03 TDI more comfortable on long trips than my '84 300D. Its smoother, quieter and the seats are quite good. I am not small either at 6ft 230lbs. I have no problem going 8hours with only one stop in the middle. VW tracks better than the notorious 123 steering too.

Of course the SDL and a 98-99 E300D would deliver a nicer ride but look at the price difference, new and current. Apples and oranges comparison as usual. Cost no object I would drive a dealer maintained S600. Since I have to foot the bill for fuel, the TDI gets the nod. Fuel may be "cheap" but say driving RI to DC, which we do regularly, the cost in a SDL would DOUBLE. RT

justinperkins · #40 12-18-2006, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rwthomas1

I guess its preference but I find the '03 TDI more comfortable on long trips than my '84 300D. Its smoother, quieter and the seats are quite good. I am not small either at 6ft 230lbs. I have no problem going 8hours with only one stop in the middle. VW tracks better than the notorious 123 steering too.

Of course the SDL and a 98-99 E300D would deliver a nicer ride but look at the price difference, new and current. Apples and oranges comparison as usual. Cost no object I would drive a dealer maintained S600. Since I have to foot the bill for fuel, the TDI gets the nod. Fuel may be "cheap" but say driving RI to DC, which we do regularly, the cost in a SDL would DOUBLE. RT

I'm not sure if anybody ever said that they'd rather drive a W123 over a TDI for a long distance trip.

A late-model N/A W124 would cruise much better (more solid, quieter, etc..) than a TDI and get in the high 30's for MPG for sure. Thats' the kind of comparisons I'm talking about.

DieselAddict · #41 12-18-2006, 06:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

A late-model N/A W124 would cruise much better (more solid, quieter, etc..) than a TDI and get in the high 30's for MPG for sure. Thats' the kind of comparisons I'm talking about.

I don't know about that. To me my Jetta is about as comfortable as my E300, at least in the front, the Jetta's back seat is pretty small and uncomfortable for bigger-than-tiny adults. The Jetta has a more pronounced lower back support, though the E300 has wider seats, but that's not an issue to me (I'm not a fat ass

). My Jetta actually rides more solid on the highway but that's due to the slightly worn out bushings on the now 10-year-old E300, so it's not a totally fair comparison. Both cars are excellent for both city driving and long-distance trips, though the heavy NA diesel may make you wish you had more power if you're somewhere in the mountains and of course the TDI will win hands down in fuel economy, mostly due to its low mass.

My advice to you is don't sell your TDI until you find and test drive the MB diesel you like and you're fully satisfied with it. Even then, you may still eventually regret selling the TDI. They both have their appeals.

Marcb · #42 12-18-2006, 08:35 PM

I also have both cars and I love the 300D (when it is working properly) but the TDI is also quite fun to drive! The 124 MB's are getting older and really need lots and lots of tinkering. The repairs on the car can sure add up over time.. Hattie has it right with the "money pit" analogy! But I love the 300D even though it currently needs some repairs. The TDI on the other hand, has been very solid and quite bulletproof! My wife uses it for a 110 mile commute every day and she loves the modern conveniences like heated seats, Monsoon stereo, etc. Now, she'd never let me sell her beloved 300D and I couldn't sell my old '60 190Db either... I guess it is entirely up to you. I know TDI's are tough to find in decent shape and they really do command a premium on the open market! Best of luck with whatever decision you make!

aklim · #43 12-18-2006, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vahe

"I'm a little surprised to get so many "don't sell the TDI" comments on an MB diesel forum. You guys must really dislike the modern diesels from MB."

There is only on negative on newer MB diesels, EXPENSIVE to maintain. VERY EXPEN$IVE. If you can handle it go for it.
Vahe
240D 77 350K

Up to the 99 E300, I didn't think it was any more expensive to maintain than my 91 190E 2.6 or my 99 C280 or pretty much any car I owned. All seem about equal

aklim · #44 12-18-2006, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

How true, my cousin had a late model Jetta but she traded it in. Anyway its a little car I wouldn't want to take it on a road trip. I value my comfort I'll take the S, screw the mileage fuel is cheap.

W210's are great highway cars as well, but the W140 is quiter and has a bit more room.

Haven't gone long distance in one so I wouldn't know about the W140

aklim · #45 12-18-2006, 09:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

I'm not sure if anybody ever said that they'd rather drive a W123 over a TDI for a long distance trip.

A late-model N/A W124 would cruise much better (more solid, quieter, etc..) than a TDI and get in the high 30's for MPG for sure. Thats' the kind of comparisons I'm talking about.

I get 33 for cruising at 85 on the cruise control and 30 with a mix of highway and city. So, for that extra fuel mileage, I'd rather ride in comfort and feel relatively refreshed when I get to my location than to feel beat up. Besides, all my cars are RWD and I know how they handle. I don't want to switch between FWD and RWD so I wouldn't care for the VW since it is FWD, IIRC.