I hadn't thought about framing it. Something to consider.

I'm betting the 206d owner was just not aware at how underpowered and slow the vehicle is. Great for short trips in Europe. Terrible driving across Kansas.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Don't let your pragmatic philosophic nature get in the way of a morbid imagination - what better conversation piece than a framed death certificate hanging over the folding dinner table?

The guy claimed to be a mercedes dieselhead - or at least he knew the powerplant was similar to the 220D....but I suppose you're right, he might have underestimated it.

It couldn't have been cheap importing that sucker though...

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1981 240d - 135k - Arlene

I've been looking into purchasing some kind of expedition camper and there are a lot in Europe. So, in my surfing,, I've come across a number of exporters sending Euro ex-military 4x4's or 6x6's to the US. I've been surprised at how low the costs are. I've seen the number of $2k shipping costs from Europe to Baltimore.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

The new owner should definitely leave those pajamas in the vehicle. Would you rather be haunted by Otto wearing them or not wearing them? But seriously for those familiar with these vehicles, aside from the sluggish performance, what would be the biggest downside of owning one? Parts availability, some particular mechanical issue, difficulty of servicing/repairing? I may actually consider getting one at some point, though not just yet.

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1983 CD
1958 Studebaker Packard (being resuscitated)

You'll have to import parts from Europe. Pretty easy with DHL but with the $$ dropping, can be expensive. These front wheel drive Hanomag/MB's are even getting rare in Europe as they stopped production in the early 70's and switched to the MB rear wheel drive versions. I think you'd be better off with the later rear wheel drive models. Even with the later rear wheel drive models, I'd only recommend one to someone who does his or her own mechanical work since most mechanics shy away from them since they are almost completely unknown over here with the couple of exceptions (Jim Inge in the NW and Europa in Santa Fe)

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

Good advice, thanks. I don't mind doing the mechanical work, but the cab-over design offers some challenges for major work if you don't have a lift.

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1983 CD
1958 Studebaker Packard (being resuscitated)

I remember a discussion here a while ago about another FWD truck

it was a rather large truck. The entire rear portion(canvas sided box truck).. had a hydro system where it would lay the entire rear on the ground so loading would be a snap.. or even driving a car or two on would not require ramps. Plus it was FWD due to the limitations because of the rear frame.

If I could find one of those and had the money to fix it up... It would be the perfect car hauler/ benz rescue truck

I don't recall that one being FWD. If it was, it was a custom one off job because that particular model was RWD in its OE configuration. Didn't it have some really strange rear wheel drive system?

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

turns out it was FWD.. IIRC we debated for a couple pages until we gave up and did agree it was FWD because of the almost 90degree angle from the cab to the bottom of the deck when the hydros would lower it