Which more reliable E300TD or E320? - Page 3 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

aklim · #1 12-20-2007, 07:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by husk

The 606 is a great engine, plus resale will always be better on the diesels than the gassers due to rarity and economy.

Economy isn't going to mean much when diesel prices are above gas

husk · #2 12-20-2007, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

Economy isn't going to mean much when diesel prices are above gas

Diesel prices in my area are around the same price as premium (required in Mercedes gassers). I do not see a huge price difference between premium gas and diesel gas.

Skid Row Joe · #3 12-20-2007, 07:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by suginami

My mechanic tells me that the original design of the tail lamps was poor. The socket that the bulbs snap into would become bad because of heat.

If you get a burned out bulb idiot light, and the bulb is still good, then you need to replace the tail light assembly.

I'm told it's a one-time only deal.

Hope so........

Been there done that on my '99's RR tailight assy. Outrageously expensive.........several hundreds of dollars.

raMBow · #4 12-23-2007, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matt L

It's not literally true, but there is more than just a bit of truth here.

The design of the lamps is a known problem. They do fail often, requiring either replacement or some owner ingenuity.

I just polished the board with some #0000 steel wool, cleaned up the contact points and that was several years ago, so it must have worked and was free.

Matt L · #5 12-23-2007, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by raMBow

I just polished the board with some #0000 steel wool, cleaned up the contact points and that was several years ago, so it must have worked and was free.

That's because you caught it in time. If you don't fix them when they encounter resistance, the heat will eventually kill the socket.

siral3x · #6 12-20-2007, 08:04 PM

95-97 E300D are the best if you ask me.
If anybody will visit Germany soon you will see that 50%+ of the taxi drivers have a 95-97 E300D. I have seen those going over 500K miles, the non turbo versions..

aklim · #7 12-20-2007, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by siral3x

95-97 E300D are the best if you ask me.
If anybody will visit Germany soon you will see that 50%+ of the taxi drivers have a 95-97 E300D. I have seen those going over 500K miles, the non turbo versions..

What makes it better? Same engine except not turbo charged.

bustedbenz · #8 12-20-2007, 08:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

What makes it better? Same engine except not turbo charged.

It goes something like this, "If you have two equally designed and equally built engines, the one that is asked to produce more horsepower will suffer from more wear and tear and will fail sooner than the one that has to do less work."

In other words, a turbo engine has to make more horsepower, and therefore is subject to more work-stress... although in my mind, I find it hard to believe it's not sturdy enough to handle it. That's the theory anyway, for all the stock you care to put in it. In my case, that doesn't amount to much.

siral3x · #9 12-21-2007, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustedbenz

It goes something like this, "If you have two equally designed and equally built engines, the one that is asked to produce more horsepower will suffer from more wear and tear and will fail sooner than the one that has to do less work."

In other words, a turbo engine has to make more horsepower, and therefore is subject to more work-stress... although in my mind, I find it hard to believe it's not sturdy enough to handle it. That's the theory anyway, for all the stock you care to put in it. In my case, that doesn't amount to much.

Yep, I couldn't have word it better myself. A non turbo "should" outlast a turbo engine and they get just a little more MPG out of 1 gal

siral3x · #10 12-20-2007, 08:07 PM

80k is very low miles for any diesel MB, but the prices are steep also on them.
I would rather buy a cheaper 150k mile MB diesel with maintainance records, then a 80K one..

Skid Row Joe · #11 12-20-2007, 08:21 PM

Although it's probably unfair to compare my E300TD to my 300SD, the SD's cost per mile for repairs was geometrically less than the E300TD's.
I've certainly enjoyed both cars, it's just costing a lot more per mile to enjoy this one, than the SD.

Skid Row Joe · #12 12-20-2007, 08:24 PM

The mpg over a gasser in a diesel, more than make up for the extra diesel fuel costs in any state.
That's my view on the BTUs diesels yield per gallon..

aklim · #13 12-20-2007, 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

The mpg over a gasser in a diesel, more than make up for the extra diesel fuel costs in any state.
That's my view on the BTUs diesels yield per gallon..

My 99 E300 is rated at 23 and 32 and the E320 is rated at 18 and 27. About 5 mpg more. Add the price of additives people put in, possibility of gelling up and availability of fuel and the price difference and the benefit is not as significant as it used to be. When I bought the E300, it was making a difference so it was worth the hassle. Today, if I had to replace the E300, I might be looking at gas unless there is a lot of commuting where it might pay off in the long run. So, for a city car, not much difference, IMO. Now for a 50 mile commute to work, it might pay off in the long run.

husk · #14 12-20-2007, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aklim

My 99 E300 is rated at 23 and 32 and the E320 is rated at 18 and 27. About 5 mpg more. Add the price of additives people put in, possibility of gelling up and availability of fuel and the price difference and the benefit is not as significant as it used to be. When I bought the E300, it was making a difference so it was worth the hassle. Today, if I had to replace the E300, I might be looking at gas unless there is a lot of commuting where it might pay off in the long run. So, for a city car, not much difference, IMO. Now for a 50 mile commute to work, it might pay off in the long run.

are these your personal ratings? EPA has it listed at 27 36 per my window sticker?