Hello all,

1st post here. I am looking into buying a commuter car to get to work (65 miles highway, 20 in town) round trip every day. My budget is $2500 and I am looking at old diesels or a newer japanese gasser.

I am looking for info on reliability, operating costs, mileage, downtime, etc. Is there anything I should look for when shopping?

I found a 2.2L 5spd with 183k. Motor was rebuilt at 150k. (I thouight that was strange). I haven't seen or driven the car yet but plan on it.

I really want a fun reliable car that won't nickel and dime me to death. Should I consider the benz or look elsewhere?

Any info appreciated.

Benz.....yes, but I would go with a 240D or 300D, there is always minor tidbits that can be tinkered with but they run forever with proper maint.
When I hear about a 190 in a museum somewhere with 2 million miles on it
I may recommend them then.The w123's will also deliver 28-30mpg and give a great ride. Just my opinion . good luck

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81 Mercedes 300SD 289k.......SOLD
82 Mercedes 300CD 252k......slow ride

82 mercedes 300 SD...mi Unknown
83 Mercedes 300D ????ksniff..gone too
84 Mercedes 300D 148k........SOLD
85 Mercedes 300TD 386k and holding some one elses project

I'd agree, a nice 1977-85 W123 300D, 300D turbo or a 240D stick shift would be about perfect if you can find a nice unrusty one within your budget.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

The 190's are good. My experience in looking at 190's is that I believe that as an entry level model they did not tend to have the care that other models have had. Thus it is hard to find nice ones. The one that I like best is rare; a 1987 with the 2.5 turbo. In a word, fun.

the 190 might be a pretty good deal if the engine was done by a good shop. i think the 190s are pretty sweet. i am pretty sure they arent as bulletproof as a 240 but nothing is!


the 190 will handle sweeter and get better economy than a 240. i think they are great looking too, but i love 240s too.

i have had at least a dozen 240s and not yet a 190 but one day i will i suspect.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Personally I prefer driving the 190D over the earlier 240D or 300D, but I prefer the classic looks of the 240D and 123 chassis 300D.

The 190 was built solid and has a much stiffer chassis / higher resonant frequency chassis which makes it a pleasure to drive, and in my experience is very cheap and simple to own. I've never owned a 240, only driven, so I can't compare price of ownership but it'd be hard to be cheaper to own than my 190 has been, pretty much fluids and filters and great MPG. Another big plus IMO to the 190D is the large number of 190E (gas) cars around means that there are lots of used parts available and for not much money, also the build running through '93 helps parts to stay available.

The 5-speed is a plus, the 2.5liter turbo engine however is a big improvement over the 2.2 in power, smoothness, efficiency, and emissions if you find a 2.5 car in your price range.

Highway mileage on the 5-speed should be high 30s to low 40s depending on how you drive, pretty much what I get with the automatic anyway.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

I have decided to make the move to the 190D. My goal is to find a 190D 2.5 with a good engine and a blown transmission and a shot interior. In a word, cheap. The 2.5 didn't come in a 5spd however the 5spd transmissions are alot easier to find and alot cheaper than the W123 ones. I will be putting a turbo engine in my 300d in spring but am still enamored by the more HP you can get out of the newer engines.

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http://superturbodiesel.com/images/sig.04.10.jpg
1995 E420 Schwarz
1995 E300 Weiss
#1987 300D Sturmmachine
#1991 300D Nearly Perfect
#1994 E320 Cabriolet
#1995 E320 Touring
#1985 300D Sedan
OBK #42

According to my '87 brochures, the 190D 2.5 na was available in '87 with a 5-speed. Unfortunately just like the 190D 2.5 turbo it was a 49-state car, so it is likely as hard to find as a 2.5 turbo.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

i test drove a 190 2.5 na with five speed. it was a really sweet driving car. too new for me to buy at the time and light years faster than the 240 i was used to.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Thanks for the replies thus far...

As far as maintenance goes, is there somewhere I can find procedures on the oil change, tranny and rear diff? How much oil do these cars take? How often do you guys change it?

If I could get 40 mpg on the highway that would be great. Even if I have to slow it down a bit.

I've seen alot of people mention the diesels overheating. Did the 2.2L have that problem? I live in the desert so this is a valid concern.

Lastly, I checked NADA classic car values for a price, anyone else have a good website to check? KBB didn't go back to 84.

I own both an 84 2.2 diesel mb ,and a 2.5 mb non turbo.The shifts on the 2.2 spill their gears pretty quick under fast excelleration ,but from 30 to 60 youll get past by from geos.The 2.5 can pull thru all shifts and under load will bark in 2nd.Much better 30 to 60mph.The comfort and performance of the 2.5 is my all around best car,the 2.2 is for long trips,and my gold 300d with turbo is my looker.For space and comfort for long trips with passengers the 300d wins hands down.AKA NO REAR LEG ROOM IN THE 190S.

[QUOTE=chasinthesun;1384451]I own both an 84 2.2 diesel mb ,and a 2.5 mb non turbo.The shifts on the 2.2 spill their gears pretty quick under fast excelleration ,but from 30 to 60 youll get past by from geos.

Is your 84 an automatic? My 5 speed isn't a hotrod but it's not gutless either.

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

Basically it's fantasy that there's a $2.5K Mercedes out there that won't require any more expense to keep running.

If that's all it's worth it's really old and/or really beat up and/or needs work and is priced accordingly.

It's VERY easy to pay more for repairs on an '80s Mercedes than you paid to buy it.

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Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles

I've had 3 different 190D's - check my signature line below. They have all been 100% reliable, never leaving me stranded (my definition of reliable). They have all had issues with the automatic climate controls (I wish I could have found a euro model with manual controls).

I've had a 2.5 auto, a 2.5 Turbo with a swapped-in 5 speed, and a 2.2 5 speed. I wish I had never gotten rid of the Turbo 5-speed car, but the other 2 models are fine. My current 2.2 5 speed car has 385,xxx miles, and no signs of stopping anytime soon. They have a more modern "feel" and driving manners than a 240D or 300D. The 190's are short on rear seat legroom, so if that is important, you might want to look elsewhere.

SteveM.

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'93 190E/D 2.5 Turbodiesel 5-speed (daily driver)
'87 190D 2.5 Turbo rustbucket - parts car
'84 Dodge Rampage diesel - Land Speed Record Holder
'13 Ram 2500 Diesel
'05 Toyota 4Runner

That's what I'm afraid of...