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

justinperkins · #1 12-17-2006, 01:49 AM

Looking for ideas/opinions on a relatively new MB diesel to replace our Golf TDI. I've seen the E300D and E300TD, but the smaller C body style is a little more attractive to me due to it's compactness (I'm coming from a Golf).

Was a diesel available (in the US) in any of the C body styles (95 or newer)?

We need something that I can make reliable and should be fairly economical (30 mpg or better preferrably). MB cars that fit that criteria are pretty limited, so maybe something like a late model (88,89) 190D in excellent condition might fit the bill.

Thoughts our opinions?

Edit: I've been using ebay and fueleconomy.gov a lot and now realize that a diesel C-class was never offered here. I didn't know that the W124 body style was available in 95, but a clean 300D would probably be perfect too. I do like the W124 body style a lot.

greasybenz · #2 12-17-2006, 02:38 AM

Ive read that the 95 E300 W124 gets good mileage but i would think a 190D with a manual trans would be your best bet.

Hit Man X · #3 12-17-2006, 02:41 AM

'95s are still pretty expensive for what they are... if you're up for dropping, spend a few thousand more for a '98-99 TD. You get five gears, lock up stall, etc

justinperkins · #4 12-17-2006, 02:50 AM

Yeah I've noticed the 95 300D is pricey, but most of them are darn clean. The idea of getting a vehicle that is the last year of a body style vs. the first few years of a body style is an interesting choice to make. On the one hand you get more modern features and such, but on the other you get the best that a body style had to offer.

Since we'll be replacing a 2002 Golf TDI, the price range is for a replacement is in the $8k - $15k range.

Hit Man X · #5 12-17-2006, 02:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

Yeah I've noticed the 95 300D is pricey, but most of them are darn clean. The idea of getting a vehicle that is the last year of a body style vs. the first few years of a body style is an interesting choice to make. On the one hand you get more modern features and such, but on the other you get the best that a body style had to offer.

Since we'll be replacing a 2002 Golf TDI, the price range is for a replacement is in the $8k - $15k range.

The W210 came out in the '96 model year, so it was available late 1995. That's almost four years if you buy a '99. The '95 isn't too fast either as it's N/A. 133hp I think.

justinperkins · #6 12-17-2006, 03:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

The W210 came out in the '96 model year, so it was available late 1995. That's almost four years if you buy a '99. The '95 isn't too fast either as it's N/A. 133hp I think.

I just realized that it was N/A. That blows my mind the MB was making non-turbo diesels that late in the game.

I just can't get into the W210 body style though. Something about it just doesn't fit right.

Hit Man X · #7 12-17-2006, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

I just realized that it was N/A. That blows my mind the MB was making non-turbo diesels that late in the game.

I just can't get into the W210 body style though. Something about it just doesn't fit right.

Yeah, if I wanted N/A I'd be out in my 240D.

I know they're nice and all, but I wouldn't spend that much for an N/A car. 2.5 Turbos are nice, they were built to about '93 I think.

210s are okay, I'd take one. I know they can scoot fairly well with a PCM flash.

justinperkins · #8 12-17-2006, 03:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

2.5 Turbos are nice, they were built to about '93 I think.

Are you saying 190D 2.5T was available 'til 93? I was thinking the last year for a 190D was 89 so I pretty much scratched that one off my list. Hmm, I'll have to do some more research...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hit Man X

210s are okay, I'd take one. I know they can scoot fairly well with a PCM flash.

I think I'm already warming up to 'em

Hit Man X · #9 12-17-2006, 03:19 AM

The 2.5 came in '90-93 124s as I recall. Almost bought one a while back for cheap. I am not a fan of the 201s, too small of a car for me.

Aklim has his chipped, I think it runs low 6 sec 0-60mph.

#10 12-17-2006, 03:49 AM

Why are you looking to replace the TDI? Besides an E320 CDI or a painfully slow 190D 2.2, there won't be much that will come close to the MPG and performance a TDI can return.

uberwgn · #11 12-17-2006, 07:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

I just realized that it was N/A. That blows my mind the MB was making non-turbo diesels that late in the game.

J, I think you're going to be in for a big surprise when comparing the performance/economy of the TDi vs. a NA diesel.

I ultimately sold my 1995 E300D after spending time behind the wheel of our new 1996 TDi wagon.

Snibble · #12 12-17-2006, 11:07 AM

Stick with the TDI. Very good engines and the Golf is a pretty darn nice car. The Golf IV is a very nice looking car... better than a W210 in the looks dept.

stcbenz83 · #13 12-17-2006, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snibble

Stick with the TDI. Very good engines and the Golf is a pretty darn nice car. The Golf IV is a very nice looking car... better than a W210 in the looks dept.

do you have a diesel?

justinperkins · #14 12-17-2006, 01:39 PM

I want to sell the TDI because I've had it for a while and it's time to move on. I don't usually keep cars for very long, there's a lot of cool cars out there to own, but little time to try them all

So our TDI was hit (while parked) the other day. Exactly 6 months (to the day) before this "accident" it was rear-ended by a cellphone talkin' 16 year old. I'm convinced that this little Golf, as cute and economical as it is, is jinxed. As I've gotten into Mercedes, the Golf has turned into my wife's commuter car. It used to be my little baby that I wanted to make into a performance TDI. I got 17" GTI rims and was inches from sending my CPU out to get "flashed" to give me an extra 15-20hp. None of that makes sense if it's going to be my wife's commuter car, and also if it was really her car she would prefer an auto.

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.

RobTheMod · #15 12-17-2006, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by justinperkins

You guys must really dislike the modern diesels from MB.

Personally, I have nothing against the modern MB diesels. It's the limited selection I object to. E320 CDI or nothing. Fine if you want a 4 door E class, not so great otherwise. Why not a full range, like in 1985? 190, E class in all body styles, and S all offered in diesel.

The Golf TDI is a unique car, nothing MB imports to USA compares to it- a diesel C class would be great, if it were simply rather than lavishly equipped, I could see owning one. But not for sale here!