Hi, I am looking to purchase an older diesel Benz as a local run around car. I have a F-250 truck that I would like to only use for hauling. Anyway, just starting to do my research, but love the older Benz and love diesels. Would like any tips as to what years/engines have the best record and any other thoughts/advice.

Thanks,

Jen

Jen-

They're almost all great cars...but we need to know more about what you like , where you live, what type of driving you do etc.

There's a lot of good advice about this on this forum already, if you do a search.

Rick

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

You can search here and find a good bit of info.

A lot of people seem to like the 82 - 85 300D (also known as a W123)

Though searching can be tough here sometimes... the best way is to start out at the front (www.peachparts.com) and use the Google search there.

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NC Benz
Fuquay-Varina, NC
1979 300D
1983 300D Turbo 260,000 Miles
1984 300D Turbo 345,000 Miles (sons car)
OBK #31
1998 Ford Expedition 5.4l (fer Haulin'!) 145,000
1973 19' SeaRay with 115 Mercury TOWER OF POWER!
Club Car Golf Cart 36V
Ex toys:
1967 Mustang 289 (First Car)
Fiat 124TC
1975 Honda CVCC
1980 Audi 5000 Turbo

more questions...

How much do you want to spend?
Do you want a more "classic" or contemporary style?
Will you be doing some of the maintenance yourself?
Are you willing to trade some reliablity for better performance?
Are you looking for a stick or automatic?

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

You really need to do some comparative studies to decide which car fits your life, are you a DIY type?

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

I live in Colorado and I am looking to spend up to 9k. I like the bigger models such as the 300SD...I have two children in car seats and need the room. I have been looking at mid 80s to early 90's models. It doesn't matter whether it is a stick or auto (whichever is better). About all I know how to do is an oil change...so I would probably not be doing the maintenance.

With that budget you should be able to find a great vehicle, stick with well documented vehicles with no rust and all working systems. Pay for a shop to do a complete pre purchase inspection. Then you will be sure to get a car that you will only have to do oil changes on.

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

I'd say you should probably make friends with Ginny (See the thread about her trip cross country in her "new" Benz). Also, check the shops section on the forum for suggestions about mechanics who could do a prepurchase inspection for you.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

With a $9,000 budget, you may be in 1999 e300 turbodiesel territory.... that would be ideal from a mileage-and-years standpoint.

For pure style, and possibly reliability, and definitely for largeness - you want an 81-85 300SD turbodiesel.

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~Michael S.~
Past cars:

1986 300SDL
1987 300SDL
1982 240D
1982 300SD


Current:

1987 300SDL

I don't have one, but you can't go wrong with a W126 81-85 300SD. They are easy to work on, reliable and fairly classy ( with euro lights only). You can spend more on something newer, but I'd look for a nice one of these and keep the savings to maintain it.

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)