Should I or shouldn't I? I know its a rod bender
 

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=010&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=200115528100&rd=1&rd=1

But this is my dream car. I'd like all of you with more experience than I to look at the pics and tell me what you see that I should ask about. I have already seen:

Green coolant
oil pressure at hot idle
Drivers seat belt not retracting
Worn front seat- too much for the miles?
Oil leak on IP
Oil around the oil fill cap-excessive blowby?
Motor recently detailed-hiding leaks?

I know the 140's have other issues due to their complexity; evap cores, vacuum problems etc. I am just looking for a group of intelligent questions to ask the seller. If this is not the car for me I can wait. If the motor goes south I have two 124's with good 603's. The swap is a direct bolt in correct?

Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance

Why do you want a diesel in the W-140?

The S-320 gets just about the same fuel economy, provides a smoother and quieter engine, costs less to purchase, and you don't have the risk of the engine grenading itself.

A W-140 with a diesel makes absolutely no sense.

My indy said that tranny problems are not at all uncommon on those cars.....;)
(he was repairing one while he was telling me this. His in-law's car) :eek:

Owner looks to have been on the Supersize Diet....kidding
Are those brake dust covers I see?
The car doesn't look that bad....still, I wouldn't risk it. Get an S500 and save it for the country club.

Looks nice.

I'd want to know why it's idling at 100c before considering a bid.

I'd follow Brians advice personally.

Thanks for the input.

Brian, I love diesels, maybe a 95-97 e300d?

good point about the idle temp.

Clearly, I like them as well. But, not in a W-140. The engine is a POS and the risk is far too great.

The 606 in the W210 is a fine engine and you won't have any issues with it.

1995 had the 606 in the W-124 for that year only.

Check this out:

http://newyork.craigslist.org/fct/car/342730357.html

I understand the 606 is a great engine but doesn't the 210 have quality issues? I don't mean to talk in circles and I appreciate your help. I am just trying to figure out what I should buy. Maybe an pristine 87 SDL?

Looks like it's idling too low, may be why the oil pressure is so low.

Build quality worse than the W124, electronic gremlins, rust, spring perches, but very roomy inside, smooth, beautiful......

Yes, VERY good idea!!! Blue-black and dark metallics look best, check for rust, water leaks, HVAC, books and records paramount, shrewd selection is all

Correct me if I'm wrong on my knowledge of the 210:

96 first year, 606NA, 4 speed AT (same a 124)
97 606NA, 5spd AT
98 606 Turbo, 5sp AT

Spring perches problem with all years? I know rust aggravated the situation. I'll search the 210 some more and see what I find. Anyone know of a buyers guide?

Add a '99 606 turbo, 5-AT. Last year before the W210 facelift.

FWIW, I've never had problems with my spring perches, however, others have. It seems to be a regional problem. My car has been in Texas and California (dry climates) its whole life, which is why I think I've never had problems with the spring perches.

What are "quality issues"? Anything that's 20 years old is going to have "issues". I don't believe the W-210 has any more or less than some of the older vehicles. The exception might be the spring perch problem.

Sure, if you can find a pristine SDL, and don't mind paying north of $10K, it would be an excellent vehicle. But, it's not suited for driving around town very well.

You can consider the early W-126, W-124, or W210 for a diesel. Just avoid the late W-126 and W-140 ('90-'95).

The SDL's rock imho. BioP has the answer. Heck, once I know my 606.910 better and feel mroe comforable with these engines( AND hve a 25X40' addition out back!) , I'd buy one cheap, and immediately pull the engine and go through the bottom end.

Find some H beam custom BBC chevy race rods tha'll hold up, I'm sure! :)

Why buy a diesel? 'Cause it dont burn gas.

I still need an answer to one of my questions: Will a 603.96 directly bolt into the W140? I have two sitting in my driveway.