I thought nobody would steal a diesel, but TCCBass' diesel is the first one I've read about. I want to hear others who have had their diesels stolen.

I'm confused. Why would a thief prefer a non diesel over a diesel? I'm missing something.

Have a great day,

Probably just due to availability on the street--gas is more common (in my area anyway).

Besides, even though the diesel is a better car, if you had to outrun the police, you'd probably choose the gas car, too. Just imagine, trying to outrun a 2001 Crown Vic in your 240D!

Saw an opening, took it.

Later.

-m

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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

And Larry, besides the fact that most diesel cars can't get out of their own way (they don't make the best "wheel man's companion") most cars are stolen due to 1) their value, or 2) their parts value due to the popularity of the brand (think Camry, Accord or an other high volume car). Mercedes diesels are neither valuable or trade in the black market as say a BMW M3 would. Sure they mean a lot to us, but the kids in the ghetto don't want 300D for its exhaust headers or air bags if you catch my drift. HOWEVER, one potential market for stolen older diesels would be the Middle East or Pacific Rim. Lets face it, anything with a three-pointed star is valuable in the Pacific Rim!

I think people don't steal Diesels in general is because they can't start em.....

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2005 Audi A4 1.8T CVT -Silver/Black "Siegfried"

1982 300D - Silver/Blue "Ralph" -For Sale:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-benz-cars-sale/119226-1982-300d-sale.html#post852260

1989 VW Diesel Jetta Blue/Blue "Bodo" RIP

Capt Kirk,

I must agree with you. You have to know how to start a diesel, and most people don't know how to do that. Then, they would have know how to drive it right, otherwise they'd be driving a turtle.

On the topic of security and theft, I have this little switch under the dash in the foot well that I have to push within about 20 seconds of starting the car or else my fuel will cut off and shut down the engine. Does everyone else have this security switch? It came with the car when we bought it in 83. I think it's a pretty neat feature for such an old car, and probably a reasonable theft preventer.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside

Perhaps a smart car thief knows you stick out a lot less in a white Camry than a big body gold Mercedes with personilized plates.... however while at the dentist one day someone stole half a tank of no.2 from our 240D ,hope they put it in their Olds 442....

William Rogers......
81 SD "Goldie"
74 240D "pearl" ( A bicycle cop could give her a fair chase)
81 454 Blazer 2wd bring on that Crown Vic....

DieselHead,

My '83 300D had that.. it was listed as on the original bill of sale as a security system. I had to reset it every time I started it, or it would stall in about 30 seconds, and you could not restart it unless you reset the switch. You could put mine on "mechanic's mode" if you pull the switch twoards you, and you wouldnt have to reset it, but it would make a buzzing noise. I thought my 300D was very unique for having that, I never heard of another 300D having it.

John

John and others, that switch was a factory option. Few people got it and its pretty rare to have a factory alarm in a 20 year old Benz. Crude as it may be, its rare to have. Think it cost like $325 back in the day.

John,
That is exactly the switch I'm talking about. It's pretty neat and always gets a lot of comments. I'm surprised it was an option. I didn't think my dad would pay extra for it.

Alex

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1983 300D (parked for four years)
2012 VW Sportwagen TDI Manual
2001 Miata SE
1962 Chevrolet Corvair Rampside