After having a new engine installed by the dealer on my 91 300D 2.5 , this rhetorical question comes to my mind all the time lately.... : Is this how the real diesels were meant to be ?

When starting the car there is NO smoke at all coming from the tailpipe
I also had one engine mount changed too, and the car is extremely smooth when idle. I might say that it is smoother than 80% of the non-diesel cars that I have been into.
I always found my car to be very sound proof.. Now, if I have the windows shut, I can barely hear the engine running .. even when it is cold. If I turn on the radio in very low volume, I can not hear the engine at all ... Acceleration is great (it wasn't that bad before either)... I haven't driven my car much because I was away for a week, but the mileage so far seems to be in the high 20ies - 30ies (mixed city/highway driving) - excellent for a large car..

That's not what I thought diesels were supposed to be (and my experience prior to the engine change was such)...
among others, lots of smoke from the back when started, noisy, and when stopping at the traffic lights (especially when it wasnt very warm), sudden engine "chokes" that made the car shake. You could definitely tell it was a diesel ...

With my new perspective on diesels, I can now say to all ...
Own a diesel today .. You can !

my (new) $0.02 on diesels ...

-andreas

I bet it costs some $$$ to get rid of the smoke and reduce the noise.

Nice.

....YES! Welcome to the new era of "kinder...gentler deisels" !

__________________
00' C230K
88' 190E 2.3
79' 280CE (Sold)
84' 300SD
73' 450SE
93' 300E
68' VW Bug (what the hell was I thinking!)
99' HD FLSTF

the Volkswagen TDI engine is amazing, too. When it was new, it was almost silent; you had to pop the hood or get near the tailpipe to hear it running. Now that it's broken in, one can hear it a little more. And the torque! Even with the wide stock Michelins, I can chirp 'em easily going into second, and I've never tried it going into third, but might be able to. Smoke? Only when I redline it in first gear. Still gets 40-45mpg, too!

The 240D is the same as ever: noisy, sometimes smoky, but still lovable.

- Nathan
'83 240D "Steiner"
'00 New Beetle TDI

In Europe, diesels are quite common. I have driven a few there such as a Citroen which was a TERRIBLE handling car, but you could hardly tell that it was a diesel.

Have a great day,

I think you now know what the "experts" refer to as a properly tuned and well running diesel engine, which burns cleaner than most gasoline engines!

Athan01,
Why did you need a new engine, how many miles were on the engine when you had it replaced? I have the same car and I am curious to know why you pulled the motor?? I know many people that have the 1990-1993 300D 2.5 and they have anywhere from 120K to 575K with no problems.

Athan01,
Where are you?

The newer diesel engines are much quiter and more efficient then our more ancient 123-series engines. I understand the new S400 CDI is extremely quiet and smooth, and has 250hp!

My dad had a 93 300D 2.5 Turbo when I had my 87 300 SDL and there's a huge difference in the engine noise, engine sound, and acceleration....

I just hope they bring the CDI's over. Otherwise, VW is your best bet for the smoothest/quietest diesel, IMHO.... (but no new TDI Passat)

-m

__________________
Now:
2018 Tesla Model X
1999 S500 Grand Edition 164k
1992 300D 2.5 Turbo 287k
2005 E320 4MATIC wagon
1991 Alfa Romeo 164L 99k (sleeping for a while)

Then: 96 Lincoln TC, 93 Lincoln TC, 87 560 SEL, 87 300 SDL, 80 300D, 89 560 SEC

CJ,
I apologize for not responding earlier. I didnt get a notification when you wrote the update. I had the engine replaced because I had a snapped timing chain which messed up valves, head etc. I think that the reason it snapped is because my previous mechanic which replaced the chain in the past, messed up. Its a long/painful story, but I dont think that the problems with my car are not because of MB weakness in design but my weakness to find a good mechanic! You can read my other posts in the forum. Just search for my name.

-andreas