Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 01-11-2009, 11:30 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 144
best sedan after a 123 617

I know its always questionable to start out a thread with the word 'best' but its short and to the point. There's lots of opinion about what's best, or in what category, etc. so I'll describe my categories a bit. Do give me a break, I'd recently totaled by 123 616 and feel like I lost a really good find.

I would like to slowly look for another sedan but after 1985 I get confused at what I should look at. When I was shopping for my first, all signs led to the 82-85 300d or in my case 240D. There was consensus to what was good and reliable and easy and inexpensive, etc. So now, I'm looking to see if there is a similar consensus to another model. But there's so much more models and engine types and chassis, etc.

I like the 82-85 very much but lately, I've been thinking of something slightly newer. I still like the exterior look of a 82-85 300D very much but want something more comfy on the interior and slightly better performance. So I did a bunch of searches on the next 'generation' of 300d or 190 or 1987 300D and all sorts of things come up. For the '87 300D some swear by it, others talk endlessly about the aluminum heads, the cracks, the warpage, etc. The check list for a '87 300D seems long in order to get a good one.

So if there a smaller sedan after 1985 that stands out ? About the price range for a decent one ?

__________________
1982 240D 4spd 232k (deceased)
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 01-11-2009, 11:47 PM
ForcedInduction
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
1987 190D 2.5T
1987 300D
1998-99 E300
05-07 E320 CDI.

Those are the only ones I would buy.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 01-11-2009, 11:50 PM
bgkast's Avatar
Rollin' on 16s
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Vancouver WA
Posts: 6,528
SDL?

Edit: Why does the forum always remove caps automatically?
__________________
1979 240D- 316K miles - VGT Turbo, Intercooler, Stick Shift, Many Other Mods - Daily Driver

1982 300SD - 232K miles - Wife's Daily Driver

1986 560SL - Wife's red speed machine
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 01-11-2009, 11:51 PM
ForcedInduction
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Thats more of a ship than a sedan.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 01-12-2009, 11:49 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 144
Quote:
Originally Posted by ForcedInduction View Post
1987 190D 2.5T
1987 300D
1998-99 E300
05-07 E320 CDI.

Those are the only ones I would buy.
Isn't this car kinda hard to find ?
1987 190D 2.5T
__________________
1982 240D 4spd 232k (deceased)
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 01-12-2009, 02:44 PM
Jeremy5848's Avatar
Registered Biodiesel User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sonoma Wine Country
Posts: 8,402
How about a 240D with a stick shift? Same 123 body with a 4-cyl engine and no turbo.
__________________

"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
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 01-12-2009, 02:53 PM
LAbioCars.com's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Los angeles california
Posts: 86
i LOVE my 90 300d 2.5t
__________________
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"
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 01-12-2009, 03:01 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Reno/Sparks, NV
Posts: 3,063
Quote:
Originally Posted by ForcedInduction View Post
1987 190D 2.5T
1987 300D
1998-99 E300
05-07 E320 CDI.

Those are the only ones I would buy.
There was no '07 E320 CDI. '07 is the start of the Bluetec. IMO the best are the latest Bluetecs, but of course they're also the priciest to purchase and it's too early to tell about maintenance issues.

You left out the 90-93 300D which is mostly a good car. Weaker than the '87 300D performance-wise but has a stronger head and cleaner emissions. 95-97 naturally-aspirated E300D's are good too, increasing in complexity with the model years. The 95 model is the last year of the W124 series and may be one of the best, especially when it comes to reliability, though it doesn't have the more modern styling and side airbags of the W210 chassis. The main weakness of the W210 chassis are the spring perches, but once that's taken care of, I think they're great cars.
__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 01-12-2009, 03:54 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 144
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeremy5848 View Post
How about a 240D with a stick shift? Same 123 body with a 4-cyl engine and no turbo.
That was the car I had, GREAT CAR ! Just looking to see if its worth trying out something different.

Quote:
Originally Posted by LAbioCars.com View Post
i LOVE my 90 300d 2.5t
Has it been reliable for you ? Costly to maintain ?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselAddict View Post
You left out the 90-93 300D which is mostly a good car. Weaker than the '87 300D performance-wise but has a stronger head and cleaner emissions.
Good to know. That's exactly the info I was looking for. I'll do some searches on that model.
__________________
1982 240D 4spd 232k (deceased)
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 01-12-2009, 03:57 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Albuquerque, NM USA
Posts: 1,947
Every Mercedes produced since is a better car.

The W211 E320CDI and E320 Bluetec are both the ultimate these days, the V6 even better than the OM648.

I'd advise skipping over the W124s and going at least to the W210, as the 5-speed transmission is really a revolution in Mercedes terms.
__________________
Kent Christensen
Albuquerque
'07 GL320CDI, '10 CL550. '01 Porsche Boxster
Two BMW motorcycles
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 01-12-2009, 04:28 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 144
Quote:
Originally Posted by lkchris View Post
Every Mercedes produced since is a better car.

The W211 E320CDI and E320 Bluetec are both the ultimate these days, the V6 even better than the OM648.

I'd advise skipping over the W124s and going at least to the W210, as the 5-speed transmission is really a revolution in Mercedes terms.
Well, that's a big price jump which is not what I can do.
__________________
1982 240D 4spd 232k (deceased)

Last edited by centroid1; 01-12-2009 at 04:48 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 01-12-2009, 05:31 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Reno/Sparks, NV
Posts: 3,063
Quote:
Originally Posted by centroid1 View Post
Good to know. That's exactly the info I was looking for. I'll do some searches on that model.
The 90-93 300D does have a stronger head, but a head gasket failure can still occur though it's not common from what I've read. If you find an example to look at, examine the coolant for contamination and check to see if the system is pressurized when cold (it shouldn't be). I do that with every car that I'm considering to buy.
__________________
2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 01-12-2009, 05:38 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: DFW area (north side)
Posts: 1,288
Pressurized when cold?

Quote:
Originally Posted by DieselAddict View Post
The 90-93 300D does have a stronger head, but a head gasket failure can still occur though it's not common from what I've read. If you find an example to look at, examine the coolant for contamination and check to see if the system is pressurized when cold (it shouldn't be). I do that with every car that I'm considering to buy.
What conditions could ever lead to the system being pressurized when cold?
__________________
Charles
1983 300D, bought new, 215k+ miles, donated to Purple Hearts veterans charity but I have parts for sale: http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/296386-fs-1-owner-83-mb-300d-turbo-rebuild-parts.html
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 01-12-2009, 06:05 PM
oldsinner111's Avatar
lied to for years
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Elizabethton, TN
Posts: 6,243
None
__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 01-12-2009, 06:25 PM
awsrock's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Tinley Park, IL
Posts: 642
Quote:
Originally Posted by Cr from Texas View Post
What conditions could ever lead to the system being pressurized when cold?
I think the exhaust gasses that leak out of the head would keep it pressurized. (assuming the gasket was blown, of course)
I don't know if the same would happen if the coolant was leaking into the cylinders, though.

__________________
Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:46 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2018 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page