and gm stock is at the lowest it has been since april of 1943. The big ass suv craze is just out of control!

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1996 E300 D
1992 300D
1990 Ford E-350 7.3 Diesel AKA "the Deep Fryer"

Cyclical logic is rampant.

Impart your values...no one should drive suvs because you don't

Use up foreign oil so "ours" is the only oil left...this is un-commentable

Burn diesel not wvo because wvo may damage my engine 30k or 300k down the road.

Listen to yourself.

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Mark in MA
05 MB E320CDI 402k Granite Grey Metallic
05 MB E320CDI 267k Black
05 MB E320CDI 232k White
05 MB E320CDI 209k Tectite Grey
99 Dodge 2500 Cummins 5sp 148k
62 Jeep CJ-6 120k

I am and it seems rational compared to some of the crazy stuff other people (here and elsewhere) keep saying.

This thread has wandered out of the range of Diesel Discussion subject matter and into "Open Discussion" subject matter. If what you want to do is joust about political agendas, and subjects like the national energy policy, please take it to the appropriate forum. Thanks, Jim

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Own:
1986 Euro 190E 2.3-16 (291,000 miles),
1998 E300D TurboDiesel, 231,000 miles -purchased with 45,000,
1988 300E 5-speed 252,000 miles,
1983 240D 4-speed, purchased w/136,000, now with 222,000 miles.
2009 ML320CDI Bluetec, 89,000 miles

Owned:
1971 220D (250,000 miles plus, sold to father-in-law),
1975 240D (245,000 miles - died of body rot),
1991 350SD (176,560 miles, weakest Benz I have owned),
1999 C230 Sport (45,400 miles),
1982 240D (321,000 miles, put to sleep)

Amen!

Now back to the original topic -- the guy I purchased my '97 from had some good suggestions. He got the '97 because it was the newest non-turbo available. His logic was that, unless you wanted the turbo, there was no huge difference in the 98 & 99 models from the 97 to justify paying the larger premium $5-8k just for the turbo. He understood there were a few additional upgrades that occurred in 98 and 99, but not enough to justify the premiums that are out there. Of course, the prices might change in a few years.

The 97, he further justified, had the 5 speed transmission and other improvements over the 96 without much additional cost. He had also updated the rear taillights with a newer model (2001-2002 I believe) for an updated look.

Just some additional things to think about.....and it's on topic.

.....Dan

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99 e300
98 e300
90 Suburban 1500 4x4
92 ZR-1
04 Tahoe 4x4
05 Scag 52" zero turn
97 e300 - totaled on black ice
84 300SD - gave to a friend
85 300TDT Euro - SOLD to my little bro

I'm looking at a 97 for the same reasons. Updating the azz end sounds COOL! Its the only thing I don't prefer on the 210s.

As regards bio "ruining" and engine, au contraire. Not only can we site university studies that show wear is less with bio, but from my own experience in a 200mile+ MBz. We'll know even more when it gets pulled apart ( due to vacuum pump failure, not bio use)


Being in Buffalo NY, we have plenty of "wing gas" avail. Our brewer is very fastidious about the process and makes a good product. When you discuss bio or WVO use, you must be prepared to frame the discusssion around the quality of the fuel or the delivery system. It is not a constant like 87 octane is.

My questions about bio use are: say when I rebuild the 95 606 bottom end. Do I deck it to get more compression? Should I have the cams reground to offer more cylinder pressure ( as they'll likey be scarred)? Is a higher dynamic compression in order if you use a high cetane feedstock for your bio?

These are the questions that the WNY Biodiesel Partnership seeks answers to?

Not to end on a political frame, but one reason the WNY Bio Parterns exist is to show alternatives. IMHO, if we stop looking for a governemnt sponsored silver bullet, neutralizing the effect of interest groups, and use politics to let good ol American ingenuity run rampant, we'll end up with a much more diverse energy "portfolio", some of which can be exported to offset costs. Biofuels are only part of the diversified solution. Alcohol mixed in gas sounds good, but dammit if you're going to waste the engery to brew alcohol from coarn, it better be "for medicinal purposes". Yet, new technologies in more effective, less distruptive alcohol production are emerging. As well as the Bdiesel car, I would LOVE to build an alcohol specific small block Chevy for my Tahoe. With 13.5:1 compression, I'll get 400 ft lbs AT IDLE!

Finally, these FleaBay E300D prices are KILLIN' me. To get a mint one owner, I have to spend over 10K!