Drove my first W123 Diesel today - and it was EVERYTHING I thought it would be! - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

VWGuru&BenzFan · #1 12-28-2006, 12:25 AM

So I test drove this today: http://www.stareuropean.com/details.php?auto_id=145

I want it.

Things that surprised me:

The OM.617 has a LOT more power than I would think. Driven with even a bit of a leadfoot, this car moves. I love Diesel torque, and when it's in a legendary W123, it's even better.

No rattles at all. My 2006 GLI rattles more than this car. My 1989 Jetta Carat (with over 300,000 miles) doesn't rattle either though, so maybe 1980s German cars are rattle free?

The seat was a little squishy, I would have liked it to be a bit more firm and stable. Maybe it wasn't bolted down all the way?

Things that DIDN'T surprise me:

The closing of the doors is so satisfying, in both sound and feel.

The car had well over "low" mileage (290,XXX) but still drove like a top, and had lots of pickup.

The car oozed "German awesomeness"

#2 12-28-2006, 12:26 AM

Looks pretty good. $4000 is a bit high for nearly 300,000miles.

VWGuru&BenzFan · #3 12-28-2006, 12:30 AM

I looked at this too...though I didn't drive it: http://www.stareuropean.com/details.php?auto_id=156

He also had a 1985 Euro model NON-turbo Diesel 300D there, with plastic trim (less wood) and manual HVAC controls. I'm going back to drive it tomorrow.

Anyone ever drive the 88-hp, non turbo 300D?

JimmyL · #4 12-28-2006, 12:42 AM

I would rather have manual AC controls in a non-turbo 300D than the ACC in a 300D turbo........
Nothing wrong with an NA 300D, especially after driving a 240D.....

**edit**
good Lord, $6990??? Put down the crack pipe.

#5 12-28-2006, 12:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VWGuru&BenzFan

He also had a 1985 Euro model NON-turbo Diesel 300D there, with plastic trim (less wood) and manual HVAC controls. I'm going back to drive it tomorrow.

Putting a 150mph speedo in an 88hp car is pretty ambitious!

toomany MBZ · #6 12-28-2006, 06:01 AM

A friend has a non-turbo 300D, '79CD, manual. I have not driven, but it seems to get down the road just fine.

Jim B. · #7 12-28-2006, 06:04 AM

You have shown two very good cars. Each seem like good all their life California cars. The blue plate 1M series silver one, is a 1985 issue calif. plate, so the car has been in Southern California all its life. The tan car with 1N series plate is a 1985 car plated in California in 1986 and remained there ever since. Neither car has ever left California, so probably no rust issues on either one of them, making them a great bet, rust is the BIGGEST enemy on either of them, and I'd bet neither had them, so they are probably both clean and rust free, excellent signs.

This is a great time to take a look at some of the differences between a "euro" non turbo 300D, the tan, and a 300D Turbo USA spec car , the silver.

The tan car has half the mileage, but a VERY high price for what it is, a typically undesirable euro color (flesh color, it looks like), the very pretty euro bumpers and much better and more powerful euro lights, the highly desirable manual and trouble free air con system, the euro antenna on the front fender, and probably less options than the other car. It appears to have been imported as a gray market car from Germany, normally federalized, and California plated in 1986, as an '85 car.

The silver one is a TURBO diesel so it will be a bit faster than the 300D which is no slouch, diesel wise, but has the less desirable american spec US headlights, the biggerr, uglier and safer US DOT bumpers, and antgenna on the rear fender., the more complicated and trouble prone air con system, power windows, and tinted windshield, and arguably a prettier color, and maybe a sunroof, nice but more trouble prone, than one without it..

Each has its pluses and minuses but each and the silver one has higher miles and a slightly high price, but the euro tan c ar seems way overpriced for what it is (highly desired because of less options and less to go wrong, ) and probably it has wind up windows.

They both look from the pictures to be excellent life long California cars, hard to find in rust free condition and with the old blue California pre 1986 plates on them to prove it.

If you are looking for a good W123 diesel, drive both of these and see which one you think you would rather own, and have it inspected.

Probably both of them are good cars though the tan one is priced way high and the silver one a little high. (This could be the market showig the demand for biodiesel candidate cars).

I would think if the cars are in equal condition, for the price the silver one is a slightly better value for the money, with more options (things can go wrong) and a nicer color.

The tan one works if you like a simpler car perhaps with wind up windows, simpler and more trouble free ac controls, perhaps no sunroof or tinted windshield and better headlights and prettier but more flimsy bumpers.

The kicker could be if the non turbo car has a manual transmission, this could tilt the deal in favor of the manual, because these diesels in a 300D non turbo with manual were very rare gray market cars, tougher to find in any condition, never mind rust free or low mileage like this one. Naturally, I am the type of guy that would pay higher for the euro car if by chance it had the manual, this combo with the 300 non turbo is very rare, enjoyable to drive, (there is nothing like driving a stick shift MB 123 diesel and shifting manually, trust me on this), and resale would be higher even if I didn't like the color. I can't tell from the pix of the tan car if it's a manual shift. You need to find out if it is.

It would be the perfect chance for you to try out a euro '85 non turbo 123 diesel against an American spec '85 turbo diesel.

I think either one would be a good deal, for a long term keeper car, and what a wonderful for a newbie like you who doesn't know these cars to have a chance to drive both kinds and find out which one works better for you.

This looks like a rare opportunity, to drive both kinds of car, then pick and maybe buy the one you like driving the most. I don't think mileage counts so much here, they are diesels.

They are old but wonderful examples of each I would think. Make the most of this rare opportunity to compare two different good ones, drive both, then decide which you like, and maybe if they check out, you might buy one
of these, after you have an independend Mercedes diesel mechanic check it out first.

There are still some good W123 diesels in rust free California, but it's AMAZINGLY rare that 2 this different in so many ways would show up at the same time and place, make the most of the ultra rare chance to compare them both, and buy the one you like better, if it proves to be a good car. I think both cars are probably very good ones as their location, photos and California 1985-86 blue licence plates seem to indicate.

Good luck and post back what you decide to do. Hope this helps.

This looks like two seriously good cars for sale here. Good luck

#8 12-28-2006, 06:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

I can't tell from the pix of the tan car if it's a manual shift. You need to find out if it is.

Unfortunately automatic.

t walgamuth · #9 12-28-2006, 07:31 AM

the euro car,i didnt see the price on.

but the turbo car is due soon for a head gasket in my experience. at that time a valve job will be in order too. total price between 1000 and 2000 depending on what needs doing. if it has had good care the bottom end will be like new.

the non turbo car is good to go for 500k if it has had good care. it looks like it has. the non turbo euro car will not be much slower than the turbo.

the manual ac is so much less trouble to maintain, it is a big plus in my mind.

again, not knowing the asking price, i would take the euro car for sure. when the tranny wears out at 300k or so i would swap in a stick. save your money, this will cost maybe around 1000 or so. they are SWEET driving with a stick.

imho, don't dilly dally around. those euro 300ds are rare.

good luck

tom w

airbus · #10 12-28-2006, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VWGuru&BenzFan

Anyone ever drive the 88-hp, non turbo 300D?

The non turbo will run forever. The problem with turbos is, if you have one, you're going to use it, you just drive differently (and previous owners did so, too, probably

)

I sold my 300D Taxi (non-turbo) with over 800,000 km on the clock, still running strong. (A/T rebuilt at 500,000km, though, but the engine was never opened) My wife's 300DT is slowly dying at 'only' 430,000 km (270,000 miles).

I think, I miss her...

Knightrider966 · #11 12-28-2006, 04:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airbus

The non turbo will run forever. The problem with turbos is, if you have one, you're going to use it, you just drive differently (and previous owners did so, too, probably

)

I sold my 300D Taxi (non-turbo) with over 800,000 km on the clock, still running strong. (A/T rebuilt at 500,000km, though, but the engine was never opened) My wife's 300DT is slowly dying at 'only' 430,000 km (270,000 miles).

I think, I miss her...

So why don't you have an engine overhaul done? I know it's a decent amount of money, but you know what you have and that's worth a lot!!!! You could get another 500,000 miles out of the wagon!!!!

Boardmonger · #12 12-28-2006, 06:47 PM

I have 2 non-turbo 80 horsepower european 300d's. Both have 4 speed manual transmissions. One is kind of crappy and runs well, the other in pretty good shape minus one quarter panel (needs a little paint) but both are amazingly solid cars and are both quite fun to drive.

I haven't gone out and said this yet, but the 81, red euro will likely be for sale in the next few weeks. It is a really nice car. The interior is extremely clean, no cracks in dash, the original kilometer odometer/speedometer, 4 speed manual and a low 187,000 km on the clock. While few mercedes odometers are perfect, this car never had the speedo switched so it is likely closer than most euros. The car was brought to California in 81 (orignal plate number 1JHU000) and got new plates when it switched ownership in the early 90's. I'm not sure what you are looking for or if you (or any other members) would be interested, but you guys are the first to know. The car is mechanically sound, just came back from my mechanic with a clean bill of health and just solid overall. I'll put something together in the For Sale area in the next few days, but it is a nice car that has been well cared for.

It isn't the perfect mercedes, but it wouldn't take much to make it a very very nice original european w123.

If your wondering why I'll be selling, the AMG coupe is calling...

theo3000 · #13 12-29-2006, 08:03 PM

I bought a car from the same lot three weeks ago: http://www.stareuropean.com/details.php?auto_id=142

Paid way too much, $6,700, but it's in good shape and I needed a reliable daily driver.

They get some good examples there, and charge a premium for them.

Jim B. · #14 12-30-2006, 12:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by theo3000

I bought a car from the same lot three weeks ago: http://www.stareuropean.com/details.php?auto_id=142

Paid way too much, $6,700, but it's in good shape and I needed a reliable daily driver.

They get some good examples there, and charge a premium for them.

The pictures show a really nice car, it looks like they really go out and find the very best ones, and then charge real high prices for them.

I think it's good to pay a bit extra for the best example, like you did in this case. You'll likely really enjoy this one for a long time

greasybenz · #15 12-30-2006, 12:50 AM

Zack how much would you be selling your 81 euro for? i might be interested....might.....if the price fits my budget.

Of course id sell off the SD to have that one.