Which diesel Mercedes to buy?

[equipmentjunkie]

Hello! I am a new member and am doing some research before buying my first Mercedes. I am a long-time diesel owner, just not a Mercedes...yet. I have had two VW TDIs, two Dodge Cummins, and one VW Rabbit. The '98.5 Dodge and '81 Rabbit are currently in my stable.

My question is: Which E-class diesel should I be looking for? I have narrowed it down to a W124 chassis. I'd like to know which powertrain would be best, an '87 Turbo 300D, '91-'93 Turbo 300D, or a '95 E300 24v?

Any comments or suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks.

[crashone]

Awwwww just stick with an old w126 or w123.......................

[Brian Carlton]

Welcome to the forum.


There's nothing wrong with any of them.

The original 603 in the '87 produced the fastest diesel on the forum. If you can find one in good shape with low miles, it's definitely a consideration.

The five cylinder 602 in the '91-'93 vehicles has proven to be a good performer as well. Few issues with it on the forum.

The six cylinder 606 in the '95 is definitely the more advanced engine of the bunch and is slightly more powerful than the 602 but has less power than the turbocharged 603 in the '87.

It's really your choice..........all of them would do well for you.........if you find a good example that's been properly maintained.

[daw_two]

Here's one you could buy and drive while you decide which one to make your daily driver:

1985 300D "Candy" $3500 OBO Memphis, TN

*GRIN*

A year ago if you would have told me I would own 3 MBs, I would have said you are CRAZY. I now have a 1986 300SDL, a 1985 300D (for sale in the link), and a 1984 300D Euro (non turbo, of course).

These things GROW onto you.

Oh. And I recently spied a W126 420SEL with 89K miles and 3 flat tires less than 5 miles from my house. This past Thursday, I ran across a 1985 300D with 2 inches of pine needles on top of it. No back seat, perfect body, no key, owner has never seen the car run with 265K miles. So, there's got to be at least future project amongst these cars.

[Hatterasguy]

I'd go for a 1995 E300D just because I prefer the way the updated W124 looks.

But you can't go wrong with any of them.

[Jeremy5848]

The only cars in that date range to avoid are the '90-'95 350 SDL, 350 SD, 300 SD, or S350D with the bored-out version of the 6 cylinder engine that the '87 has. It has a reputation for overpowering and bending or breaking its con rods.

The others are all good possibilities. I'm personally keeping an eye out for a '95 E300D, which has the same 606 engine that my wife's '96 has.

Jeremy

[equipmentjunkie]

Thanks for your help, guys. Yes, I am leaning towards the updated W124...I'd especially like a Special Edition. I prefer the cleaned-up styling of the update. They look longer, more elegant, and even more timeless.

The only thing is, I am a bit paranoid of the NA 3.0 24V from a power standpoint. I love the way a turbo engine performs and am used to them. My parents had a '98 Turbo W210. I liked driving it, but I prefer the W124 chassis. They now have an '05 CDI which is a rocket...but that a different subject.

There is a family at my church that has an old W123 300DT. I like those W123 chassis but I'd prefer the more rigid W124 chassis.

Are there engine that I should be asking the seller about? Timing chain, water pump, or something else?

[Hatterasguy]

Glow plugs, do a search on 606 glow plugs.

[Skid Row Joe]

I'd go for a '96 to '99 diesel, considering your concerns. A lot more value than the aged body styles.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

A lot more value than the aged body styles.

...........if the front wheels don't fall off the vehicle..........

[thesst]

You can't beat a 617 for longevity.

[Jeremy5848]

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I'd go for a '96 to '99 diesel, considering your concerns. A lot more value than the aged body styles.

The older W124 cars have a much more solid-feeling body than the newer W210s. I like our '96 E300D but Mercedes gave it too much of a "sporty" feeling, IMHO.

Style-wise, though, the big change came between the W123 and 124 cars. Any '87 or later diesel will look "modern" compared to the '85 and older cars. It's all a matter of personal preference, less the potential problems with front spring perch rust issues in the W210s that Brian alluded to.

Jeremy

[Bio300TDTdriver]

Have you read this thread yet?
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/sitemap/t-190194.html

There is a lot of good information about the cars you are considering.

None of them are going to be as fast as your parents E300 turbodiesel. Depending on the mods on your truck, it might be faster than any of the 124s. I'm pretty sure my CTD will beat my wagon. Besides the different engines the control of the engines is different. The OM603 is mechanically controlled, much like the '98 and earlier CTDs. The newer ones are more electronically controlled like your CTD. If you are not into modifying them, that may not matter to you.

As far as the updates in styling of the '95. If you spend $300 for Euro lights, the early 124s don't look that much different from the '95, at least to me.

If I were buying one again and didn't want/need a wagon, I would look for a '91-'93. A passenger air bag was an option beginning in '90 and ASD (automatic locking differential) was an option from '91 on.

Chris

[equipmentjunkie]

Speed isn't really that important to me. I drive an '81 Rabbit as a daily commuter! Chris, my Ram has RV275 injectors which perked it up a fair amount but the broader and fatter torque curve is what I really noticed. I can reasonably drive that truck through town at 1100 rpm, roll into the throttle and it will promptly pick up speed without balking.

I felt that my previous VW TDIs were fine for power and I expect the W124 to be similar in speed. I typically am a steady driver with a lot of attention paid to smoothness. As a result, I get better fuel mileage than others in similar machines. I routinely get 47-52 in commuting with my Rabbit. My TDIs were about the same. Highway fuel mileage was usually a few mpg higher.

Back to the W124...I remember Automobile magazine complaining a bit about the W210 not being the same type of vault-like chassis as the W124. I guess that I should dig up my archived Automobile magazines and find out exactly what they wrote.

[Skid Row Joe]

Comes down to how much money you want to spend on a car. Do you need another car is one likely question, with all the vehicles you already own. Do you want to spend under $5K, over $10K, lots of questions to answer in narrowing it down.