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#16
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Quote:
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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual) Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL |
#17
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In my opinion?
126 117 hehe
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Current cars: 2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles 2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles 1995 S320, 207k Miles |
#18
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Two Summers ago, I pondered this matter when an '86 300D came up for sale in my neighborhood. That straight-six was a pleasure compared to my throbby 240D, but along with the six-cylinder 300D's potential for head problems, the suspension on this car felt squirelly, and under the crappy repaint lurked alot of rust, so I passed.
I prefer to keep my old cars as simple as possible, and still believe a manual 240D is hard to beat for simpliciy and relability, if you can live with it's (by today's standards) primitiveness. Otherwise, if you can find a decent one, you might consider a Euro manual-shift W123 300D/TD. Though it has a stiffer ride than my automatic 240D, in terms of engine-smoothness, performance AND fuel mileage, my '84 Euro 5-speed 300TD is a big improvement over my 240D, while retaining the 240D's simplicity with it's manual climate-controls, manual windows, and lack of underhood turbo-clutter. If you don't need the cargo-room, a manual Euro 300D sedan might give a better ride, without the added complication of the wagon's automatic-leveling rear-suspension. Happy Motoring, Mark
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DrDKW Last edited by Mark DiSilvestro; 01-12-2009 at 07:36 PM. |
#19
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it costs less then a w123 no valve adjust needed
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-Z8X_r_l_M 79 300d "baby blue nose" (sold) 87 e300d (om603) "billy" (sold) 94 e300d (om606) "mcrae" (sold) 84 300td (om617) "mom" 82 300cd (om617) "whitey" 84 300sd (om617) "benzo valdez" 87 300sdl (om603) "chip" 90 e300d (om 602) "bev" 69 280c (om603 swap) "rommel" 74 internationl scout II (om617) "scout" 64 impala (4bt) "homie" 57 chevy apache (7.3 psd) "goldie" |
#20
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My current preference is for the '87 300D Turbo (W124). If you get one with a good engine to begin with and don't overheat it (thus risking a cracked head), it should be reliable, perhaps as reliable as the OM617 (but opinions vary!). The advantages (IMHO) over the OM617/W123 are – better suspension; stronger, smoother, quieter engine with hydraulic valves so no valve adjusting; better fuel economy (not all will agree with the last); driver's airbag. Differences (not necessarily better or worse) – more modern appearance; power seats; sun-roof includes pop-up feature. Disadvantages – alloy head susceptible to cracking if you seriously overheat the engine.
The early W124 chassis is barely more electronic than the late W123s, an advantage over later W124s. The electronic diesel system (EDS) governs only idle speed so you can defeat EGR without getting a rash of Check Engine Lights (especially since it doesn't have one). The '87 has some non-critical electronic items like a lamp-failure monitor and a better door locking system that doesn't depend on engine vacuum. I can look at my '87 and see the things that carry over from the '85 W123 cars. Most of the things that were added when they invented the W124 are things that I would have liked to have had on my 1985 300D-T. Probably the biggest problem acquiring a nice '87 300D Turbo is that they were a one-model-year car; it's getting harder and harder to find nice ones. 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 |
#21
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As I understand it, everything is the same on the 81-85 300SD as the 300D except for the longer chassis, right ?
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Maybe you should just sell yours !
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1982 240D 4spd 232k (deceased) |
#22
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I was referring to the 86-91 560SEL with the 5.6L V8 engine. The 300SD and 300D are completely different cars.
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Current cars: 2000 ML55 AMG, 174k miles 2003 C240 T-Modell, 202k miles 1995 S320, 207k Miles |
#23
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Well, I believe the 5-speeds are pretty rare, the 4-speeds less so, as I see them on eBay every so often. There are also a number of 300Ds with transplanted 240D manual flywheels & trannys, though I don't know how successful those conversions are.
However, with the manual on my wagon, I really don't miss a turbo. Or, as a friend once told me "These cars feel 500 pounds lighter with a stickshift!" As for parts, generally thery're availible, though some detective work may be in order occasionally. For example, I needed a radiator in a hurry for this car, and found one locally after first inspecting a replacement '84 TD radiator for a USA model that was totally wrong (all '84 US D/TDs were turbo, with a remote coolant tank) I was then able to order the right one, same day delivery, for a pre-'81 non-turbo 300TD that fit my '84 Euro TD perfectly. My regular parts sources say that, with the VIN, they should be able to order anything I would need if it's still availible. I could have ordered the radiator that way and saved some on the price, but it would have taken several days and I needed it back together by the following morning. Otherwise, the only Euro parts that might be harder to get might be the original headlights and bumpers, but all that has been changed to US-spec on my car. I must admit that I was really tempted to buy that '86 300D, but the same flaws I was willing to deal with on my $225 240D, I wasn't willing to accept on a car that was being sold for over ten times as much. Plus, some on this Forum said I shoudn't expect much of an MPG improvement over my 240D Happy Motoring, Mark
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DrDKW Last edited by Mark DiSilvestro; 01-13-2009 at 12:04 AM. |
#24
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Same engine & transmission, different chassis. The '85 models have a taller final drive ratio for more pleasant highway cruising. Personally I like the post-85 models more as those have rear headrests and air recirculation, not to mention more efficient engines and better refinement. The older ones are just too primitive for my evolved taste, though I do have some good memories of them.
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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual) Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL |
#25
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81-85 300 SD. A little more room than a 123, and much quieter inside at highway speeds. It does have power seats that can be a problem if they quit working, but having manual lever controlled dash vents instead of the vacuum stuff on the 123's
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Mike 1983 Mercedes-Benz 300SD 270K 1960 Ford F250 62K 1990 Mazda Miata 156k The thing is Bob, it's not that I'm lazy, it's that I just don't care. |
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