Previous experience with '82 GM Banks Turbo powered Suburban seems like poor preparation for the apparent complexity of Mercedes pre '86 diesels. Impression of complexity comes from browsing this forum.

Quite impressed with the forum. and the threads, but sounds like a lot of complexity to worry with. Familiar with storied longevity but how about the learning curve for a diy newbie. Forty years experience with four generations of another German manufacturer, but no Mercedes.

Very busy retiree with a truly endless list of major home, family, stream bank erosion and classic car projects, etc. Adequate tools,and good work space. Just don't have time for endless tinkering, or major repairs, and steep learning curve. Owned enough German cars to know that cost of major repairs can quickly add up to more than average retail price of many "experienced" models.

Also, there is something wrong with every used car. If not, the thing would find a welcome home somewhere in the extended family, friends, church group, etc.

Strong interest in vegetable oil fueling.

What do you advise?

Welcome to the forum. As an ex GM mechanic having worked on my fair share of 6.2 and 6.5 diesels I can tell you that the basic fundamentals are the same as far as mechanical operation of the engine. The major differences are in the rest of the vehicle. The benz will require a bit more attention and care but don't let that scare you if you like to "tinker". You can find an answer to almost any question here on this forum, usually several answers on the same topic!!.

I think that in perusing this forum you aren't getting an accurate sampling of the overall number of pre-85 diesel mercedes owners. Those of us who are "here" most often fall into the category of obsessive tinkerers and compulsive wrench pullers, people who fell in love with the sound the door of their first benz made when shutting, or the fragrant aroma of oxidizing vinyl.

These cars are deceptively simple to anyone willing to learn, they rarely (never in my anecdotal experience) leave you stranded, are efficient, comfortable, and built like a brick ****-house. Parts are cheap, with a few exceptions, and readily available from many online sources. Single biggest factor in my opinion is that I've never owned another car that so many others were dedicated to helping me keep alive and well. Bottom line, look for a well cared for, rust-free car, and enjoy it. Chances are at least 50-50 that you'll never have to do anything to it, and that is unheard of in any other 20-25 year old car I've ever owned.

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1985 300D Gretchen (Astral Silver) 220k
1983 240D 4-speed Evelyn (Orient Red) 203k


TANSTAAFL

I'm a "new" owner myself with quite a few years of truck diesel experience but none on Mercedes. I thought they were complex at first but it ends up they are just "unfamiliar". Many of the troubles I see here seem to revolve around age related stuff wearing out like hoses and whatnot. Keep the vacuum and fuel return lines in good shape, injectors and nozzles calibrated and the cars seem to do very well.

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-Evan


Benz Fleet:
1968 UNIMOG 404.114
1998 E300
2008 E63


Non-Benz Fleet:
1992 Aerostar
1993 MR2
2000 F250

ONce they are in good shape they will go for a long time with minimal work aside from normal maintenance.

They are very mechanic friendly. they are built to be worked on.

Good luck

Tom W

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

In my opinion, the unnecessarily complex parts on most US 123/116/126's are the automatic climate control systems, the associated vacuum controls and the vacuum locking systems. The basic mechanical components are simple enough to be dealt with by most rural mechanics in third world countries.

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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

Unless you plan on driving it for more than a month!!!

I keep coming back to MB diesels. Amazing cars -- there are simply none other like them! The parts are not terribly expensive, and can often be found used for next to nothing. As Tom said, once you sort out what previous owners have neglected, these cars are ready to last a long, long time. No American-made diesel has had the same overall quality in my experience, and none will age half as well (again, based on my experience).

The best part of all: these cars can be had on-the-cheap all day long (often because sellers are just unfamiliar with diesel basics -- I have seen several that "won't start" that simply needed a bigger battery to spin the starter faster or just needed to be primed after sitting for a while).

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Touche -- you've got me there. MB went a little overboard for the US market. I miss the simplicity of my Euro 300D.

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1992 300D 2.5T
1980 Euro 300D (sadly, sold)
1998 Jetta TDI, 132K "Rudy"
1974 Triumph TR6
1999 Saab 9-5 wagon (wife's)

Gene, to be sure, as Tom W. just pointed out to me in another thread, these are a bit more intricate than your standard pushrod V-8. When you're a sub par mechanic like me, they can be challenging adn do test your patience.

BUT I love the ride, and i TRULY love the ability to run WINg Gas in my commuter car.

And then $$$. I bougth a "newer" 95 since it is my 3 season daily driver and I run a professional "shop". Yet my bio brewing buddy has three Benz's for the price of my one, which is still dirt cheap for the car it is. ($5600)

You dont have time?? Gee I run a $500,000 ( tiny) business, two sons, Cubs Scouts, play bass in a band, nostalgic race an old Chevelle..... if an older model "scares you", spend the 10G's on a 98-99.

STAND UP< HOOK UP< SHUFFLE TO THE DOOR _ JUMP!!!!!

Message or any new Mercedes owner: Do a search of the forum and find out where to get the Factor Service/repair Manual CDs which I am told are around $20. With out it you will greatly increase your suffering!
I was a diesel mechanic for 18 years and while my experience is a big help I still found myself hard pressed to learn enough fast enough to do the fixes that need to be done.
In my case and a lot of other members cases we bought cars that are around 25 years old that other than basic maint. the prior owners did not replace much on the car (because they were built to last) and were selling the cars due to the high cost to fix them. So we are getting the cars that may need some major fixes; sometimes due to neglect or out right abuse. This makes any vehicle harder to work on.
The next thing is the Mercedes seems to need things fixed "by the book" more than other vehicles. This means that you cannot always just go by you past experience and use a proceedure that worked on something else.
Look at some of the threads where even the Mercedes Techs. at the Dealerships have botched their jobs; and them having all the special tools, training and access to repair manuals.

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84 300D, 82 Volvo 244Gl Diesel

At least you have previous diesel experience. I'm a 15 year or so mechanic on gas vehicle, none whatsoever on diesel. Always wanted one, and when a $60 240D fell into my lap, I couldn't pass it up.

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1982 240D
1993 Mazda Miata LE
1991 Mazda MPV
1993 Volvo 940 Turbo Wagon

My previous experience was with an 82 Datsun diesel pick up. I never needed to do anything but change the oil and filters in it and once the glow plugs when I owned it. I owned it for 5 years and then sold it to my dad who still owns it 15 years later. He never needed to do anything to it either except that now it needs a new clutch.
I liked how relatively bullet proof it was. The 616/617 diesels remind me of the same reliability.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

The great number of posts that have created the impression of Mercedes complexity are due, IMHO, to (a) newbies asking for advice and (b) members who like to discuss technical details ad infinitum. I place myself in both categories.

Many (most?) older cars, Mercedes included, come to subsequent owners with a list of deferred maintenance items. Once you work through that list, the car is usually reliable. I knew nothing of diesels when I bought my first Benz; I know a little more now, thanks to this forum.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Since I only know how to work on MB's I feel the same way about GM's.

Took me awhile to figure out how to fix the parking brake on my sisters Olds, I was like WTF this is way different from how MB did it.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200