Sorry to interject my unwanted two cents worth here, but like the above post indicates the newer car has many more "features" such as the ABS, ASR, ESP, multiple airbags etc., etc. The newer car is also much quieter and smoother riding. There's no doubt that it is a superior car when viewed from this perspective. However, along with all this comes the increased complexity of the various additional subsystems, sensors, control modules, etc. etc.. Obviously the increased complexity also means more stuff to potentially go wrong, and drastically higher costs involved in the repair of these systems (which are nonexistent on the 123 cars).

It really depends upon the priorities of the owner -- if you're a do-it-yourselfer then it would most likely be wise to stick with the simplicity of the 123 chassis as versus the later car. The simplicity of the 123 is really quite surprising, plus it is SO easy to work on it's almost like child's play. Plus parts availability is superb - either new, used, or OEM aftermarket. The same cannot be said about the later car.

RTH

Are there a 98 or 99 US turbodiesel models? I thought the W210 Diesels offered in the US were normally aspirated.

"some one above said something about the quality of the '85 being better...?........the '85 is a dinosaur compared to the '99"

I guess quality is relative. The W123 feels like it was lovingly crafted. The W210 is certainly a fine automobile, but it doesn't have that old world feel. Whatever that's worth.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

The 98-99 E300 models had turbo-charged engines......(I think it was the same engine that was used in the 96-97 models except with a turbocharger)

As for the statement about old world feel of the 123 compared to the 210......I guess I can understand somewhat as the 210 is definitely a different ride than the 123...but they are TOTALLY different animals that I don't think are comparable......I have driven a 123 years ago(and owned a 126 and 124 at one time)....but I personally think the 124 was a huge improvement over the 123 in terms of driving refinement as I think the 140 was a huge improvement over the 126 in the same regard......and both 140 and 124 do have that old world ride....I do agree with the statement about complexity and cost to repair in the newer cars ...but that is simply technological innovation......I am sure at one time there were those who shunned power windows and locks because the chance existed that they might break...


just my .002


Warren
1992 300SD 125K
Columbus Ohio
turner@greif.com

Thanks for all the input. I bought the E300 TurboDiesel today, and yes it comes with a Starmark warranty for 12 months beyond the factory warranty.

I agree with most of the comments, and was once one of those that did not want electric windows or seats because they just seemed like a poor balance of buying hardware and its likely hours of use. I can now see the point of power windows, as on big cars it is sometimes hard to reach the winder handles on the other doors, but the seats are still a mystery to me. I just don't change seat positions often enough to warrant paying several thousand dollars for the feature (my 1975 and 1982 240D, the Euro 1986 190E 2.3-16 all have manual windows and seats), and since most of the time I keep cars until they fail to respond to resucitation efforts I am skeptical about the longevity of the seat motors/switches.

I was unable to review the 1985 300D Turbo today as the owner apparently went out of town. The car has 225,000 or so miles, but according to the sales man I know at the dealership, it has been maintained "better than the book" and has no rust, but the paint (cabernet red) is getting a little faded on the roof, hood and trunk. The asking price is "around $1000" so I will probably buy it for the "Mom's Taxi Service" around town and once we get a cover for the rear seat, taking the dog to the beach. If I elect to pass on the car, I will post some details if someone else is interested. Jim

__________________
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)

Congrats on your new E300. I'm jelous. If you pass up on the '85 let me know!

Good luck with it,

John

John,

Thanks for the good wishes and I will let you know about the 300D, hpefully tomorrow. Jim

__________________
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)

Hey guys, the 1985 300D is just amazing. The car exterior has some small rust spots at the base of the front doors at the very rear edge, and what looks like a little forming around the edges of the jacking tube to rocker panel joints, and nothing else. I got under the car and the rear fenders are fine, the floorboards are solid, no rust inside under the carpets or underneath, and the paint, a metallic red is good everywhere except on the roof along the surface that curves from mostly horizontal to more vertical just above the driver door.

The engine and transmission combination, which I am not familiar with, is peculiar compared to a 240D with a manual transmission. I think this car would really be a pleasure with a manual, as it has some real punch above 2,000 rpm. Before you get there though, it seems like it needs to be given CPR or it will die. A 240D with a manual is more controllable, even if it is weaker most of the time. This car has good pickup and other than at start up, does not smoke or vibrate unusually.

All of the equipment, from the cruise control to the airconditioning, the power antenna, the windows and sunroof all work perfectly. The A/C controls were a little wierd though, with this thin clear button labelled "auto" between the high and low speed fan buttons, that I could not figure out what it did. The also seemed dead until I pushed the far left one (the defrost button) when the system came to life. The fan worked in both speeds and the air conditioning came on strong. I was very impressed that every thing worked, but was a little uneasy about the way you "energize" the A/C console.

The interior is near perfect except the rugs. A small crack on the dash at the inside rear corner of the passenger side speaker. The rugs in the back, especially the part that covers the drive tunnel, has some spots and junk on it I think will probably come off. The color of the interior is very light, like a parchment color that is darker than cream but lighter than palomino.

The engine compartment is pretty crowded compared to my 240D, but it was relatively clean. A little oil seeping from the breather tube on the valve cover, but other than that, no leaks or other apparent problems, and it was not recently cleaned. The tank for the windshield cleaner may have a hole in it as it was empty so I could not check the function of the nozzles.

Overall a fanatastic car for $1000. So now the fleet will be strengthened by two new Diesels (for us), a 1998 E300 TurboDiesel and this 1985 300D. Jim

__________________
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)

You stole it, good luck with it!

John