190D 2.5turbo 5sp manual vs w124 300d turbo automatic
 

I have a '92 190d 2.5l turbo (om602) 5sp manual running great.

I've been told by a friend of mine that he found a 300d turbo (om603) for less money than I could sell my car.

Lets say both cars are in the same condition, which one would you chose? I can swap the automatic to 5sp manual without any costs if not gain some money (people in Albania pay up to $600 for a manual to automatic trans swap).

I would much rather have the w201 turbo 5 speed.

I see that 4 people voted for the w201 and one for the w124.

Is the w201 a better chassis? Do you think I can just swap engines between the 2 cars so have a w201 with a 3.0l turbo and a w124 with a 2.5 liter turbo? I'll then sell the w124 with the 2.5l turbo.

Do you think the om603 turbo consumes way too much so you'd be much better off with an om602 turbo? The consumption should be around 20-25% worse so I don't mind it.

Or it's the 5 speed manual vs the automatic? This can be swapped easily. I can even win some money I do swap the automatic for a 5 sp manual.

I think in this case, it's the 5-speed that's desireable, coupled with the turbo 2.5 in the lightweight w201 chassis. If you could fit the 603 in, then you would have a hell of a car, theoretically. However the 603 turbo has a problem with the cylinder head cracking. That is one caveat.
I would really like to see a w201 with a 5-speed and an OM603 turbo. Go for it.

Buy the 300. Keep the 190. Then let us know what you think.

Keep the 190.

Lighter chassis, no head cracking, more economy, only 0.3second slower 0-60mph, and rack & pinion steering.

How much heavier is the 3.0l over the 2.5l? Can I just swap the 2.5l for the 3.0l and leave the suspension, springs, anti roll bars, ect untouched?

The 3.0L can be swapped and has been done in Finland. It's a tight fit and requires fabrication, modified engine mounts, stronger suspension, and (I think) some firewall alteration.

http://www.rodionenkin.de/mbdt/w201603/1.jpg

I've had both the 190D 2.5turbo and the 300D 3.0turbo.

The 201 is a lighter tighter car to drive, it feels sportier.

The 124 is definately more car, more refinements and enough headroom for a 6'1" guy, has back-seat legroom and a real trunk. Better for hauling people. Slightly faster than the 201 w/ 602turbo, but it doesn't feel it.

So in my opinion, it's whether you want creature comforts or sporty feel more.

The 300 SDL is a chassis that also housed the M103 engine at some point, correct? Would 103 engine mounts from a SDL chassis work on the om603? Or do you have to totally customize them? Has anyone talked to those crazy sweeds before?