1987 190DT vs. 1995 E300D

[Delibes]

Well, after one year of searching, I have decided I will sell Leximus Prime (if interested, pm me) to get another Mercedes. I sorely miss my dear 300TD "coffin", but this time I was looking for a few more safety options (ABS, mainly), decent miles and good mpg. These are my two options:

1987 190D Turbo. 95,000 miles.
-Needs a little bit of rust repair.
-Owned by an engineer who babied it.
-Excellent engine with no blowby.
-Excellent interior.

1995 E300. 17,000 miles.
-No rust.
-Special Edition.
-New wiring harness.
-New injectors.
-Everything like new.

What am I looking for?
-DURABILITY. A car to keep for decades!
-Lack of headaches with normal maintenance.
-Safety. Want a well-built car!
-Good MPG. Is it true that the '95 gets 30 in town?

If you have any of these two, I would greatly appreciate...
...your MPG in town, city or mixed driving.
...your maintenance costs per year.
...your maintenance costs per mile.

I must make a decision quick before I schedule a PPI for next week!
Please try to be as objective as possible!

[Jeremy5848]

There is a recent thread (and many others similar to it) on wiring harness problems (the "environmentally-friendly" insulation disintegrates) in the 1995 E300D (and other models made in the mid-90s, like my 1996 E300D). I recommend you read it. Otherwise I know of no maintenance headaches with this car. As a last-year W124 it will have all of the changes and improvements made during the ten years it was produced. The 190D I cannot comment on, having no experience with the W201.

Do you mean 170,000 miles on the '95?

[Delibes]

Thanks for the advice!

Originally Posted by Jeremy5848

Do you mean 170,000 miles on the '95?

Nope. Seventeen thousand. . Driven to church every Sunday.

[layback40]

The rust on the 190 should be a deal breaker. Once its there it comes back again & again. I cant comment on the 95, the 190 has basically the same motor as my 250 except for the turbo. I get 30 + (based on US gallons) all the time. The front end on the 190 is not quite as good as the w124 I have. The 95 should have the 606 motor & it is a bit more modern than a 602.
Provided the price of the 95 isnt over the top I would go for it.
If it wasnt that I was after a wagon, I would have got a w202 C250D instead of the 250TD.

[Matt L]

The '95 has essentially the same engine as in my '96, and if not the same, a very similar transmission.

I have nothing but praise for the NA 606. Of course a turbo would be nice, but the engine is quite powerful if you're not afraid to downshift.

I get about 32 MPG overall in my 210. I don't know how that compares to the '95.

[jonbobshinigin]

If cost is not a factor, I would got for the 1995 because of the low mileage and a nicer car in general. Aside from rust and mileage, same car, same condition, I would still choose the W124 I think.

[H-townbenzoboy]

This should be a no-brainer, low mileage W124 all the way.

[Delibes]

I'm just saying because I fear having bad rubber in the engine if it has not been used that much... 17,000 miles is only 1,133 miles a year!

[babymog]

I like the 190D 2.5T for a toy, it's fun to drive, but I so much prefer the E300D for everything else.

[Jeremy5848]

Originally Posted by Delibes

I'm just saying because I fear having bad rubber in the engine if it has not been used that much... 17,000 miles is only 1,133 miles a year!

You may have to replace some hoses and the motor mounts but that's pretty much DIY territory. Don't worry about it. A Mercedes with only 17,000 miles is essentially new.

[vstech]

if you don't get the 124, please post it's location.

[DieselPaul]

E300D. Nicer riding car, bigger, and less miles. 30 in town? I highly doubt it, I had a '97 E300D with the 5speed auto, 30 in town never happened for me. Better than your LS400, I'm sure.

[tankowner]

Originally Posted by DieselPaul

E300D. Nicer riding car, bigger, and less miles. 30 in town? I highly doubt it, I had a '97 E300D with the 5speed auto, 30 in town never happened for me. Better than your LS400, I'm sure.

X2 - 30 mpg is the best you should expect to get out of the '95 - on the highway, not in town. Some might say 32 mpg, but I have not seen that. I have never checked my in-town mpg.

What is the asking price on the '95 with only 17K miles???

[connerm]

28-30 in town with A/c. Mobil 1 oil change and new filter every 5k since 100,000 miles - maybe $60 per change. Tires - $500 every 25k-30k, $300 transmission service every 30k, $750 new injectors recently, occasional brake pads, engine mounts, air filter, etc.

No question to go with 17,000 mile 95 e300d. If you pass on it, I may be interested - unless it has rust.

[Skid Row Joe]

Originally Posted by Delibes

I'm just saying because I fear having bad rubber in the engine if it has not been used that much... 17,000 miles is only 1,133 miles a year!

How much dinero for the E300?