A 617, will make life a breeze.

__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran, deutschland deutschland uber alles uber alles in der welt

What brands, engines and models do you have in mind?

__________________
'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Why is every one scared to mention the words "ROD BENDERS?

Some how I think I would be listening to Brian before taking much notice of many others.
Some one who has been "working on them for 20 years" probably has 1 years experience practiced 20 times !!

I notice that many have said that problems dont include a particular year car, just so happens thats the year of their car!! Would be interesting to hear what they say once they have traded.
I am sure there are lists on here for models with particular problems. Just not sure if there is one single list.

__________________
Grumpy Old Diesel Owners Club group

I no longer question authority, I annoy authority. More effect, less effort....

1967 230-6 auto parts car. rust bucket.
1980 300D now parts car 800k miles
1984 300D 500k miles
1987 250td 160k miles English import
2001 jeep turbo diesel 130k miles
1998 jeep tdi ~ followed me home. Needs a turbo.
1968 Ford F750 truck. 6-354 diesel conversion.
Other toys ~J.D.,Cat & GM ~ mainly earth moving

Avoid type two and three Air Conditioner systems....
Get the type one if you need AC..... on a car in the time period which the AC's were designated by One,Two or Three.....

__________________
1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

tell me what you think about this one then.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1994-S350D-Diesel-350SD-Rare-Find-Runs-Great-Loaded_W0QQitemZ140376267964QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Cars_Trucks?hash=item20af13dcbc

__________________
1985 300TD Turbo Diesel Wagon
273,000 miles

It looks like an excellent buy.

__________________
'06 E320 CDI
'17 Corvette Stingray Vert

Run. As fast and far as you can.

__________________
TC
Current stable:
- 2004 Mazda RALLYWANKEL
- 2007 Saturn sky redline
- 2004 Explorer...under surgery.

Past: 135i, GTI, 300E, 300SD, 300SD, Stealth

because of the engine?

the w140 body?

or both?

__________________
"The law, in its majestic equality, forbids the rich as well as the poor to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal bread."

I wouldn't avoid any Mercedes, they are all fantastic in their own way.

__________________
2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I love my W140 with the 3.4L engine, it's great and oh so smooth and comfy!

steve a

__________________
Steve A
92 W140 OM603
97 VW Jetta TDI
90 Passat variant TDI 6 speed MT
94 Chevy K1500 6.5TD
05 E320 CDI
+ others

As a side note that car, which has some oddities to it, has the rear sunshade and the rear door roller blinds, you can see them in the pics.

steve a

__________________
Steve A
92 W140 OM603
97 VW Jetta TDI
90 Passat variant TDI 6 speed MT
94 Chevy K1500 6.5TD
05 E320 CDI
+ others

I have to say, my dad has a 93 300SD. It was kept immaculate inside and out by the PO. He bought it with 140,000 miles and immediately started looking for another engine for when it was time. He got lucky and came across a documented crate 3.5 and dropped it in (nightmare).

That is THE nicest car I have ever driven, and I really love cars. It is also the same color combination as the 140 in the previous posts.

__________________
----Adam

1985 300SD 322,000

Another coonsideration -
Here in Virginia (and probably other regions as well) pre'96 (Pre OBDII) diesels are exempt from emissions inspection.

Otherwise, I'd avoid any automatic climate control vehicle. I prefer to keep my old cars simple!
Based on the 4 W123 diesels (3 240Ds and one Euro 300TD)
that I've owned in the past four years, if I could select the best combination of durability, and reasonable comfort & performance, and cargo capacity wasn't a requirement, my choice would be a solid-body 77-85 Euro 5-speed 300D with manual heat & AC. For cargo-haulng, my choice would be the same equipment in a Euro TD. Next choice, and one much more likely to be found in the US, would be a well-sorted, solid-body manual-shift 240D.

Happy Motoring, Mark

__________________
DrDKW

Yes are these good cars? I love full size units!!!1

__________________
"Bemind ful of the living force" Master Jedi

83 300 CD Black on Black Sold, which i reget selling!
92 Acura Legend dying
06 Dodge Magnum R/T very fast!!

Oh, dear...let's hope the high mileage indicates this vehicle may not have the typical 3.5L problems.

__________________
1982 240D, sold 9/17/2008
1987 300D TurboW124.133 - 603.960, 722.317 - Smoke Silver Metallic / Medium Red (702/177), acquired 8/15/2009
262,715 and counting