Question about w124 diesels
 

I have been looking for one for awhile a nice 94 or 95 e300 diesel w124. Which motor do they use? OM603? I cant seem to find anything; are they rare to find with diesels? What do the diesel models sell for? Just asking...Thanks in advance.

The engine is the OM606.910. Both should be NA.

What?
 

N/A as in Naturally Aspirated?

Yes.

Only the 1987 300D used the OM603, the rest used a 2.5 liter engine. (Not sure what the designation is though)

Is the OM 606 slow? Or is the bigger displacement enough to compensate? Is the OM606 prone to rod bending and overheating like some of the 603 series engines?

I drove a 1997 300D that had a 606...without the turbo charger the performance is adequate but it certainly won't wow you....

Nah,Turtle like performance
 

Ian,

You'd hate this kind of acceleration?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TJ54sjAjNdg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xz94tbBF8-E&feature=related

1."Slightly" modified OM606
2.stock Om606

The NA versions are what you would expect - not incredible acceleration, but adequate. If you are used to driving a gasser or a turbo it will be a noticeable difference to you. Once you get up to speed they cruise quite nicely and are capable of speeds up to about 125-130.

I have gotten use to mine and it doesn't bother me. Although, to make the '95 feel faster, I went out and bought a 240D. ;)

I have never heard that the 606 is susceptible to rod bending or overheating. There are other issues, but those aren't among them.

I love my '95 Ian. It would have allot more kick if it had the turbo, but it is about the same as a turbo OM617. Very smooth and have plenty of power to move the W124 chassis.
I imagine the turbo version in the W210 would really be a fun engine to own, but I just could never get used to that back end of the W210, nor do I want to deal with the fault codes and limp mode issues.
Even the W124 with the 2.5 turbo is a very good car, but I just prefer the improvements made to the '95.....

There's a nice one for sale in San Diego, a 1991 w124 2.5 turbo. Regardless, the dealer/seller is asking a lot of money...$12,000. 79,000 miles, one owner. They've had it for over a year now, maybe they should lower the price a bit.

Please elaborate...
 

Sounds great! What are some of the issues you have hinted about? I am toying with the idea for now...I would need to find a nice example before I made any move...

I would like something in between number one and number two :rolleyes:

just picked up a 93 300D 2.5
 

Cost me $4k. Is around what they book at. Has 148k on it. Picked it up at the repair shop. They redid the brakes, oil change and the injector return lines, total they spent $600 on it. Has a good maint hist. Looks like all I will need to do is put in a new vac pump and be good to go for a bit. The one in it is fine but from what I read its time to change it before it goes bad. It is my understanding that there were not all that many of these turbo diesels brought in to the U.S. I read somewhere 300 in 93 true or not I dont know. Mine is white, sunroof, nice tan interior, Arizona car. Car looks and runs great for $4k. And as I said Kelly Blue Book has em at about $4k. Good luck

For the 606.910, they include: (1) the dreaded biodegradable wiring harness (the plastic covering on the wires cracks and falls apart prematurely - costs about $400 to buy a new one and then you have to actually replace the thing); (2) the AC evaporator (I don't recall the issue there - mine was replaced before I bought it); and (3) the potential for stuck glow plugs when it comes time to change them out. You will find plenty of posts about the last one. I actually just replaced all six plugs in mine last weeks. I decided to try getting them out without the use of penetrating oil or any of the other tips offered, although I wasn't going to exert much force to try and get them to move (for fear of breaking one off). Anyway, they all came out - no problem.

'94-'95 E300D issues
 

After working on several '94 & '95 w124 diesels, these are the things to watch for IMHO:

1. Siezed glow plugs. Be vewwwy careful about this
2. oil leak on right side of head at #1 cylinder
3. coolant leak on right side of head at rear of engine
4. sagging 5 link rear suspension. Particularly wheel carrier bushings
5. Crumbling biodegradable wiring harness insulation. Not as critical as on the gassers but still a concern

Pretty much the must check list. Check to see if the timing chain has been replaced if it's over 150k. If these issues are good, they are a sweet car with just regular maintenance.

I check ebay, cars dot com, and autotrader dot com weekly to watch the market for the 95 E300 Diesel. It's weird how there will be three or four out there, and then none for weeks. One just sold on fleabay for $7600.

Fact check- there was no 1994 124 USA diesel, 603 or 606.

Aren't there fuel system seals and intake manifold flaps and intake manifold flaps to contend with as well? Hopefully one time events.

Sixto
87 300D

There are several o-rings throughout the fuel system that may need to be replaced since they will flatten out over time.

There are flaps in the intake, but I don't believe they are problematic - unless you are having vacuum issues.

Performance Enhanced W124
 

Ian,

We never got the "Middle" series ('90-93') W124 diesels with the 606.962
in the U.S.
As both the Videos show "Someone"/"Somewhere" did.

Looks Like You have a new Hobby/Avocation...
"Stuffing a 606.962 into a 300D"

If you're going that route the 722.6 transmission would be the only option to
carry all that torque...

After some research maybe a 90-93 2.5 turbo would be a better choice, what do you think? How does the 603 NA and 602 turbo compare for power?

OM602 = 121 HP @ 4600rpm
OM603 = 148 HP @ 4600rpm (rodbender)

OM603 specs for a 87 W124 OM603.960

The OM603.970 (or .971) are the so-called rodbenders (3.5L diesel in late W126 or in the W140)

The '87 (.960) primarily has issues if overheated (head cracking, etc), not bending rods.

Nitske has the 603 NA at 109hp DIN.

You know of a 603 NA for sale in the US?

Sixto
87 300D

Since I have one of each --

The W124 with the 603 turbo engine is a nice car, produced only as a 1987 model year, although actually sold from 1986 until they ran out of them in 1988. The alloy head can crack if the engine is significantly overheated (run out of coolant and "try to make it home"). Don't. The later versions of the head pretty much take care of that problem. All can be good engines that last a long time if you just keep the cooling system in good repair. The bad rep is probably not deserved. Many forum members have excellent examples.

The 1986 300SDL (W126) also used the 603 engine, same as the '87 300D (W124).

In the early-to-mid 90s the S-class (140) used a version of the 603 that was punched out to 3.5 liters. This is the engine known as "the rod bender." Although there are stronger rods available from the factory, the chances at this late date of getting a set installed for free are slim to nil. Most folks recommend avoiding this model unless you can get it dirt cheap. In that case, enjoy the otherwise fine car until the engine self-destructs and then either throw it away or transplant a 603 engine from an '86 or '87.

Later W124s (1990-93) are available with only one diesel engine, the 602, confusingly badged "300D 2.5," they have a 5-cylinder 2500cc turbocharged diesel. This engine does not have the head problems that early 603s had. Good performance and excellent fuel economy. Passenger air bag moves the glove box to the center console.

The 1995 E300D (W124) with the 606 NA engine is a "hybrid," newer engine in older chassis. The 606 is a six-cylinder naturally aspirated double-overhead camshaft engine. It loves to spin and makes a fair amount of power if you let it wind up. If you try to lug it around in higher gears like you can with a turbodiesel you will be disappointed. Only known significant problem is a tendency for glow plugs to stick and, when the owner/mechanic loses patience, the glow plug snaps off in the head. I have not had this problem.

The 1996 E300D (w210) is an entirely new chassis with the same 606NA engine. Mercedes designed the 210 to have a stiffer suspension than the 124. It's immediately noticeable and you will have to decide whether you like it. The 210 chassis can have rust problems, especially in the area of the front spring perches in areas that have salt on the roads in winter. The '96 retains the reliable 722.4 4-speed mechanical/vacuum automatic transmission that goes all the way back to the 1985 300D-T (W123) models. In 1997, the new electronic 5-speed transmission was introduced. Had a few teething problems.

For 1998 and 1999 the transmission problems were overcome plus the 606 engine was turbocharged. These later models are also more electronic and harder to self-diagnose without specialized equipment but are good performers with good fuel economy. Many satisfied owners.

Recommended: low miles, pre-inspection, complete service records from PO. Otherwise you're shooting craps.

Jeremy

I have been wanting a 300D 2.5 due to the reported fuel economy. Correct me if I am wrong but I think they get mid 30's with the potential to approach 40 mpg. I thought about trying to trade my 87 300D for one. I at least want one of those passenger side fenders so I can make some weird cold air induction thing.

I believe 40 mpg is only truly possible with the 190D, 2.2 + 5 speed manual transmission. I wouldn't mind this combination for a thrifty commuter :)

Somebody correct me if I'm wrong!

You should already have air sucking from outside the engine bay on your '87.

92 300D OM602 EPA states 26 city 31 Highway. I routinely get 30.5 combined. The best I've gotten is 32 Highway not pushing it.

Yes, I think I would be best served by the 90-93 300D 2.5L. What does a good example go for? They seem hard to find in the PNW.

They made a 1994 W124 diesel for the US Market? I have never seen one before.... was the one you worked on grey market?

I've had my 93 "300D 2.5 Turbo" for about 10 months now and have put about 15k miles on it.

I've only had to do routine maintenance on it so far but the learning curve was steep for me because I had owned domestic gassers for a long time.

I'm getting 30mpg this winter and about 33mpg (averages) due to the winter blend of diesel fuel (probably).

I'm happy with mine. It sure cruises nice on the highway, I use it as my daily drive and commute about 75 miles per day.

I was worried about winter engine starting but am finding it still starts after 2 or 3 rotations regardless of temperature.

These are pretty neat cars.

Jeremy did a really nice job with this write-up. VERY nice!!!!!

Old, if you don't mind revealing, what did you give for your 300D 2.5? I am trying to figure the going rate for these...

Maybe a w201 2.5T 190D would be fitting...