What cars harder to R&R - Mercedes Diesel or Conventional Gasser?
 

I just bought a used Nissan 93 hardbody and although they are stout vehicles, everything after a Mercedes, and a Volvo and then a SAAB is step down! (Except for my Rotary days, I've always stood by Mercedes and Volvo Diesel with a minor branch off to Volvo and SAAB gassers.) There are no Forums and the Internet is littered with inconsistent advice and chopped up posts.

This is a bit depressing, starting over at mid life on a whole new type of car. It takes a while to get back into the spark and fuel pressure and O2 sensor and VOM white smoke/ black smoke ECU world of troubleshooting. To me there's a lot of black magic. Some of the posts are ludicrous. One guy says he increased his mileage from 15 mpg to 30 mpg by changing his motor oil and transmission oil to synthetic. Another guys says changing plugs wiill solve your starting problems. You dont see that kind of stuff on Shop Forum,

Nissan Forums are not like Mercedes Diesel shop which is probably the world's best, premier, friendliest, Class one forum and which is more like a 24/7 Hotline for DIY'ers. The Volvo and SAAB forums are not bad either, but just are not at the class of Mercedes Diesel Discussion.

The second thing is I hate working on a Gasser in my attached garage. I liked the safety of Diesel. A little bit of gas fumes goes a long way! That stuff is combustible!

The third thing is, to me, Diesels were much better made and heavily engineered. The only gassers that came close were the Volvo 240 and 940 series.

The fourth thing is parts, but I guess it takes time to build up contacts and a knowledge base.

Have you been to THIS Nissan Forum?

I actually sold my 1991 Hardbody to get my first MB - had a family, and even the king cab doesn't work with a baby seat.

I loved that truck - until I got the MB, it was the best car I ever owned. When I sold it it had 200k on it and I am sure will go for another 100-200k if the new owner changes the oil and does minor maintenance. The engine and transmission responded as well as the day I bought it in 1999.

I agree about the forums - MB forums are the BEST!
The thing about my Nissan is that I had to do very little work on it - replace a starter, run some new wires that got corroded, change the brakes and master cylinder - and that's really it.

So the nice thing about those gasser hardbodies is that you don't really have to worry too much about shop time.

I miss mine sometimes, but the AC went out in the last 2 years I had her so now that summer has arrived in Central Texas, I am much happier to be in my cool MB!

I just stepped back into the gasser world (see sig), and I can tell you that the Devil really does dwell in all things sparkplugged. Actually, the ignition system seems to be ok, but the carburetors are starting to drive me nuts. I'd actually rather have to deal with a nice OBDII gasser. At least with those (oversimplifying slightly here) you can ask it where it hurts and it will tell you.

I've had enough experiences working on several American (and Japanese) gassers to know they are NOT fun to work on. Diesel power!

I have no desire to buy anything thats not a Mercedes.

Unless its British or Italian.:D

Err well I guess I could be tempted away by an Audi or Porsche. The new RS4 and A8 are AMAZING.

It would not be my choice but no one has mentioned a Mercedes gasser instead of a diesel Mercedes.
I had to get rid of a good running gasser Oldsmobile due to too much NOX and the computer sodes comming up normal. It came down to paying someone with one of those engine analyzers or keep replacing parts until it was fixed. The State paid me $1000 to junk.
I have to have a vehicle that I can troubleshoot myself without haveing to buy even a $300-$359 hand held analyzer. Other than that I have both gas and diesel vehicles and any of them can be a PITA to work on.
Unfortunately the newer diesel cars/trucks are piling on the electronic equipment. Soon it will be difficult for the average person with some mechanical skill to trouble shoot them also.

They're different, but I don't find my Honda harder or more dangerous to work on than the Benz.
My Honda's newish (2000), so less adjustments than a car w/carbs/distributor adj., but I'd rather have more adjustments then less.

I do think with Japanese gassers, you'll find a whole lot more people who think they know something and really have no clue. My limited Dieseler experience (this board) is that people tend to know what they're talking about.