Late model diesel....??? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vwbuge · #1 12-03-2007, 09:52 AM

Well, not really a late model but I wanted more options. I am not familiar at all with the mid 90's E300D. Or any other "modern" diesel model for that matter. I searched but I want personal opinions. What is a good MB diesel?

#2 12-03-2007, 10:25 AM

After 1987, the only really good model is the 98-99 E300. The other 90's diesels were the rod-bender 350SDL/S300/S350 and the non-turbo E300's.

After 99, the options are the 05-06 E320 CDI, 07-08 E320 Bluetec and 07-08 R/GL/ML320 CDI. The CDI's are nice, but good luck finding a good used one for under $30,000.

You also have the 2002-2008 Dodge/Freightliner/Mercedes Sprinter.

vwbuge · #3 12-03-2007, 12:01 PM

Yeah, the post '99 cars are out of my league $$ wise. I've heard that the E300 was a reliable and speedy car. Some were turbo and some were not?

#4 12-03-2007, 12:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwbuge

Some were turbo and some were not?

Only the 98-99 were turbo. 95-97 were not.

EDIT: You know what, I completely forgot about the 91-93 300D 2.5T. Good cars but some emissions management electronics.

aklim · #5 12-03-2007, 12:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwbuge

Yeah, the post '99 cars are out of my league $$ wise. I've heard that the E300 was a reliable and speedy car. Some were turbo and some were not?

Ours has been ok. AC hose, spring perch (half paid for by MB), fuel lines, glow plugs and maintenance. Speedy it wasn't. Better with a chip in it.

vwbuge · #6 12-03-2007, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Ours has been ok. AC hose, spring perch (half paid for by MB), fuel lines, glow plugs and maintenance. Speedy it wasn't. Better with a chip in it.

I am weighing my options now and keeping an eye on the market. What I REALLY want is what is in your sig.

#7 12-03-2007, 12:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwbuge

What I REALLY want is what is in your sig.

91 Vette with 383 motor?

Jim B. · #8 12-03-2007, 01:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwbuge

Yeah, the post '99 cars are out of my league $$ wise. I've heard that the E300 was a reliable and speedy car. Some were turbo and some were not?

Jeremy5848 on the forum has a '96 W210 (first year of them) 300D turbo that he got not too long ago. He loves it.

Last month I got a ride in it on the Diesel drive. I was amazed, it was the quiestest diesel I had ever been in, roomy comfortable and absolutely modern compared to the '95 and older ones, and I liked it a lot.

Jeremy claimed on the drive back from Sacramento to Santa Rosa, he got 33mpg out of it, if I recall. If he sees this he could clear it up.

If the car is a good one, and had all records, (as his did, it was an Oregon/California car) one of them could make a good buy for you.

The problem with these is finding one. People know what they are.
When one shows up, they sell really fast. And a good one won't be cheap.

Shop Forum member Terry (TM Allison) has one, too. It is a white '99 that he bought off ebay in Texas, and has in Northern California. I saw it last year at a Diesel Drive and it is stunning, even though, like Jeremy's, it has way over 200,000 miles on it.

So long as you can find one that has no unaddressed rust, bad collision repairs, computer or spring perch problems, it could be a great, MODERN, diesel.

I like the idea a lot.

They are THE taxi of choice, in Europe, the E class Mercedes Diesel. When I was there about 6 years ago, that is what you rode in whenever you took a cab.

I heard that in Denmark you HAD to buy, by decree, a W210 Mercedes diesel if you wanted a taxi.

A German taxicab would HAVE to be tough, durable, roomy and comfortable, I would think. That fact alone should be enough to warrant a close look at them.

vwbuge · #9 12-03-2007, 02:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ForcedInduction

91 Vette with 383 motor?

Diesel Excursion.

aklim · #10 12-03-2007, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vwbuge

Diesel Excursion.

Modified Diesel Excursion, thank you.

01 Excursion 7.3L Powerstroke. Gauges with AIH Delete, AIS, CCV Mod, 4' MBRP, BTS Trans, DP-Tuner F5 chip, ITP In Tank Mod, Diesel Innovation Regulated Fuel kit and BTS Big Oil system. Bilstein Shocks with F250 springs, U code front and A code Rear.

vwbuge · #11 12-03-2007, 02:52 PM

I have been watching that market for a little while now. The diesels are bringing way more than the v10 gassers. (same across the market though)
I plan on figuring in the airline travel to pick it up, a bigger exhaust, air intake and a programmer. I would be happy with that. Maybe even one with a 3" lift.

Hopefully, I will be ready to buy this time next year.

DieselAddict · #12 12-03-2007, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim B.

Jeremy5848 on the forum has a '96 W210 (first year of them) 300D turbo that he got not too long ago.

'96 W210's are non-turbos. Acceleration is comparable to that of OM617 turbo, with slightly less low-end torque and slightly more high-end torque.

dukegrad98 · #13 12-03-2007, 06:39 PM

Just chiming in as another W210 '98 Turbodiesel owner. I bought the car with 173k or so on it, and it now has 186k and is running purely on biofuels. It's safe enough, quick by diesel standards, and classy enough to drive to the office as a professional.

Cheers, John

aklim · #14 12-03-2007, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dukegrad98

quick by diesel standards,

Ours was in perfect shape but still it was poochy. Maybe if you consider it only by turbo diesel standards it might be ok. It was ok once we chipped it. Now if I had supercharged my 99 C280, it would have been light years ahead.

rctoad · #15 12-03-2007, 11:33 PM

I have a 91 E300D with 220,000+ miles. I get 30-32mpg on the freeway and it drives good. I bought it from a independant german auto repair after he fixed it up for his wife and she decided she wanted a bigger Diesel ie 350D. I bought it about 18 months ago at 190,000 miles for $6k. Wish my daughter would find a car and let me have it back : ). I like it.