I am considering buying an early to mid eighties diesel for a semi-daily driver. I was amazed to see how relatively inexpensive they are. One of the main considerations is which has the best (meaning highest capacity) Air Conditioning? This seems like a silly question, but with summer in the Southwest, it’s important.

I am thinking about either a 123 or 126 chassis (300D or 300SD). I would love a TD wagon, but I’m afraid that all the extra volume inside the car, plus all the added glass area would make it tougher to cool off.

Any other input as to the pluses & minuses of each model would be appreciated!

THANKS EVERYONE

Some here may disagree with those TD wagons being difficult to cool. A member here (and friend of mine), TCCBass happens to have a sweet 300TD for sale. It has Euro headlights, and (I think) the cream color body.

I would suggest you contact him for details if interested.

I may not make lot of M.B. owners happy, but taking into consideration your concern about A/C, beware: A/C systems are not M.B.'s forte.

I have owned Mercedes-Benz for 18 years and none of the cars that I owned have/had a decent A/C system, not even my 1998 S320.

I had a W123 (or S123 to be exact) 300TD which, as you guessed it, was hard to cool down at high heat.

In terms of interior volume, I guess a W123 sedan would be easier to cool than a W126 S-class, but then, the S-class comes equipped with a higher capacity A/C. My advice would be to test drive one in a really hot day and see if the A/C performs to your expectations.

A. Rosich
S 320, 1998
E 320 T, 1995

If you are looking
 

for a diesel vehicle with ice cold air you should purchase a Ford truck with the powerstroke diesel. You can make it like a meat locker inside of one of them.
I would go with the 300D if you want the diesel MB. I have just gotten the a/c in my project 300D where I can live with it (in middle Georgia). When it is 95 degrees F outside I have 55-60 degree F air blowing out (134a conversion). I have made some modifications to the way the system works and with the a/c button mashed most all of the air comes out of the two center vents and the vent on the left side of the steering wheel.
Jim
'85 300D
'95 E320
'97 CRV

You can always tell us country boys from the rest of them by our use of the word "mash".

:)

I would not have it any other way.

Jim

The 300TD is due for delivery this afternoon. I have to comment on the A/C. The W123 300TD-T without tinted windows seems to cool better than the 300E that's replacing it. Granted, the A/C in the TD has been completely overhauled, but it cools incredibly well. I think the 300E has a little vacuum leak or something in the dashboard that causes part of the air to go out the defroster vents, but overall the air isn't as cold as the TD. In choosing any car in the south, DEFINITELY go for a lighter colour car. Just based on experience (going from a navy blue 300D to a beige 300D) there is about a 10 degree difference on a hot summer day. Dallas is a good place to research that.
I'm SAD to see Hildegard go north...but the gentleman who's buying her assures me that there is a heated garage for her in Ohio. They plan to use her as a "nanny" car...to transport the kids to school in safety and style.

NOTE:

A heated garage will make a car used in a road salt area rust much faster. I have seen an estimate that a car will rust twice as fast for every 10 degrees F increase in temperature. Reason: most chemical reactions increase as the temperature increases.

P E H

I have the R-12 topped off in my '85 SD and it can get darn cold in there on a hot California day. When you test your car, check the sight glass to make sure there are no bubbles. If there are, get a leak test done by a competent a/c house and have the owner fix the problem - which can run very high $ if you have to replace components. Thre is no real difference in temperature for the driver in a sedan vs a wagon, although that will not be true for passengers, especially those way back in the 3rd seat.

Lack of humidity will help you cool your car in CA. My diesel pickup cools great at 100* in Montana but it sucks at 90* in Florida.

I have had continuous Mercedes car ownership since 1964. I had at least 25 different models. The car with the most consistent cold air conditioner was a '83 300SD. It was a white car with grey leather interior. You could hang meat in this car it got so cold. This car had the General Motors R-4 compressor, maybe not the best unit ever.

I would pick the 300SD over the 300 any day. Also do not downgrade the Climate Control System to A-134. Freon R-12 is readily available.

Go With The 300SD
 

Greetings,

I would personally go with the 300SD as the chassis stance is wider making for a more comfortable ride and more room on the interior as well. I also noticed as I own one that the door panels as well as the overall interior seems to have been built to a more rugged spec and ease of maintenance. I have also owned a 300TD wagon and it dove fine but prefer the wider luxuary the SD has to offer. As far as the a/c goes, mine will freeze you out in not time flat. In the 300SD I kept the R-12 freon and it keeps things nice and cold. On the 300TD wagon I converted to R134 and wished I hadn't as there is a difference in extreme heat as to how the car will cool down and stay there.


Just my .03 worth

Charles