Hello everyone,

I am a longtime Mercedes diesel enthusiast by birth since my father went through the following cars while I was growing up. I have fond memories of learning how to change brakes on the '79 300TD.

1972 220D
1977 300D
1979 300TD
1983 300SD
1987 300D <-- this car was amazing

I learned how to drive on the 1979 300TD and while slow I never had any problems with keeping up with traffic. I drove it on and off in my early 20s as well.

I have no memory of the '72 220D (I was born in 1970) but its the one that always stirs my heart in old photographs. Now I find myself in need a daily driver (with 4 doors) to shuttle my kids to school in the morning and get myself to work. I am a mechanical engineer, auto enthusiast, and have backup vehicles in case something doesn't start in the morning.

I figured if I am going to get a daily driver I might as well do so in style and nothing to me has more style than a w115. Not a fan of the w123 style in spite of its virtues (more horsepower, easier oil change).

I relocated to the Northern California from Chicago 2 years ago so its automotive heaven: no salt, no ice, no snow, you can year round drive whatever you want. My only concern is that I live in the Santa Cruz mountains, 1/2 way between San Jose and Santa Cruz California. Everyday I travel highway 17, roughly a 5% grade over 6 miles, one small section at 50mph, the rest at 40mph.

Anybody have any experience to share with their 220Ds with something similar? Its the one thing holding me back from starting my search.

All the best,
Ricardo

i own a 72 220 d 4 speed.my car has adequate power and would be ok going up hwy 17,but the sea air could qickly rust out the body,they had poor corrosion prevention.it all depends on the state of your engine,forget the automatic.my engine has low miles and strong compression,body was perfect,but po. took it to his house in mendocino,rust took over,my body has panels replaced and rust paint,but interior is perfect and runs great,make sure defroster fan works,most dont-very hard to fix,mine doesent work,tough on a cold wet day like you can get in santa cruz.

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95 e320,87 sdl,79 300sd