Are the non-turbos worth buying? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Dustin. · #16 12-01-2010, 04:14 PM

Thanks for all of the responses.

Looks like I will stick to my original plan and only purchase a turbo model.

cirrusman · #17 12-01-2010, 04:36 PM

The turbos are pretty maintenance-free. I haven't driven a N.A. yet, but the turbo, once it spools, gives you a really nice pull.

#18 12-01-2010, 06:29 PM

Alastair hit it right off! Go drive one of each. "Slow" is a relative term. For those who have only driven gas cars, they will have to make it through the patience course before they really start enjoying even a turbo car.

layback40 · #19 12-01-2010, 06:35 PM

Dustin,
Welcome to the forum. As you can see you will get all the help you need.
I have been driving 300D N/A's for nearly 30 years. They never sold a 123 RH drive turbo. Yes they are slow to get going, but who cares unless you are a boy racer. I do believe they last longer as there is less stress on the motor internals. If a turbo in RH drive was available, I would have one.
Go for a turbo, it will probably outlast the time you will want it for.

MTUpower · #20 12-01-2010, 09:02 PM

My first wagon was a 1980 which is a non turbo. I now have a 82 and 84 wagon-both turbo. From 0-40 there is little difference in acceleration- the turbo had more power but the tranny gearing ratio that differs between the two makes them about the same. At higher speeds the passing becomes an issue on two lane highways with the non turbo, you just don't have the "kick". I've found no difference in mileage between the two. The non turbo does just fine in multiple lane interstates. Now the four cylinder version- the 240D is another matter. It is slow no matter how you cut it. Turbo or non should not be the deciding factor in what car you buy- there are other far more important things that you should be looking for instead of this matter: overall condition, what the owner can tell you about the history of the car, rust, new parts, etc.

79Mercy · #21 12-01-2010, 09:32 PM

I drive my non turbo 300D as a daily driver, all types of driving conditions(no mountains of course here in FL). I personally feel as though the motor has enough power, no you will not win races, but you wont hold up traffic either. I drive a lot on the highways and it seems to have a sweet spot at about 75 MPH. However with the 3.46 rear end, it is governed to about 90 MPH.

#22 12-01-2010, 09:34 PM

I would lean towards the turbo if you are doing highway driving in the west (75 mph speed limits that everyone exceeds) or driving in the mountains, otherwise just buy the best car you can find.

JHZR2 · #23 12-01-2010, 09:44 PM

there have been some reports here and there of (relatively) peppy 240D cars. id definitely say mine is one of them. The only issue with having 67 hp is going over say, 65 MPH without excessive noise and engine straining. So it has a lot to do with your intended use profile. Id guess a 300D is good a bit higher, and may get you past the 70mph hump without being too moisy/spinning too fast. Not sure though - need to drive to know.

Ive found the 240D to have more than enough power and pep. It is actually suprising. But it is our down the shore car, and so we dont usually drive it over 55 MPH - for which it is most excellent on the 50 mile drives we take it on.

So if a NA 300D is set up right, tight and operating on peak, I see no reason to not have it. Is it slow? Sure, but so are the turbos... Its not like any of the cars are quick. It just means that you need to be on top of things maybe a tad bit more. But then again there are a few less parts to go bad.

NoSparkNeeded · #24 12-01-2010, 09:57 PM

Larry,I'm not so sure about that. I have had no problem with the power level of my85 TD, even in the beginning. My wife's 84 SD seems a little bit annoyingly "doggy" in town, but perfectly fine on the freeway. I often switchback and forth between my V12 Jag and my little TD, without thinking that the TD sucks. I guess with the 85 torque converter, the low end feels just fine in most situations around town. Sure, the with Jag you can "point and squirt", however the TD is just fine if you are driving normally in traffic. I reallynever find it lacking unless I need power from not paying attention. I've neverdriven an NA 300, and just passed one by for cheap with very low miles. I there a really big difference around town, or only on the freeway?

charmalu · #25 12-01-2010, 10:00 PM

Welcome to the forum.

The W123 was made between 77 and 85.

The none turbo was used between 77 and 81.

The turbo was used bewteen 82 to 85.

The none turbo is 80 HP?

The turbo is 123 HP.

The 240D is 67 HP.

The 5 cylinder 617.xxx was offered with an automatic trans. turbo and none.

The 240 was offered with a 4 spd manual and a automatic.

The differential gear ratios:

240D 3:69

300D none turbo 3:46

300D turbo 3:07, 82 thru 84

300D turbo 2:88 for the 85

The 300CD is a w123 chassis like the 300D turbo and none. but there are some coupe specific parts that are not interchangeable with the 4 door sedan.
windshield, rear back glass, side windows, doors, window regulators, seats, sun visors, rubber door seals. and ???
Coupe parts are pricier. The Coups are sexier to drive.

everything from the dash forward, the drive train, suspention front rear are the same.

If i misquoterd something here, Iam sure someone will straighten me out

.

All I own are Diesels, one turbo and two None. I can`t compare the turbo to the non turbo, because one is a 240 and the other the Datsun pu. one 67 hp & 60 hp and the turbo 123 hp. I haven`t driven a none turbo 300D.

It all depend what you want, and what you are going to use the vehicle for. true, at higher altitudes, the none turbo will be on it`s hands and knees. you will get to see the scenery and enjoy it compared to the people behind you coughing, choking, and gasping from the black smoke screen you leave them in.

.

As Alistair said, drive both to get a feel for what you want.

Charlie

vstech · #26 12-01-2010, 11:00 PM

with the exception of my 82SD, the n/a is quicker off the line, but shift points come up faster. at 15 it needs 2nd, etc... on the highway, 70mph is not a problem in the n/a but passing from 55 is a pain.... traffic slowing you down on a hill kills you to get back up to speed. the turbo is at home on the highway, passing no issues. stoplight to stoplight is sluggish in a turbo, especially on hills, but above 10 or so MPH, and it'll pull hard.
if you drive a turbo and it's slow, it likely needs linkage adjustments, or a fuel filter change.

Fattyman · #27 12-01-2010, 11:04 PM

I live in LA LA land as well and have had both. Your driving style will be dictated by your car, not the other way around. It's taken me over 30 years to realize this. My 240 gets passed at the light all the time. But it will always be there at the next light and so on. If I want to blow off steam I take a bike!

JimmyL · #28 12-01-2010, 11:36 PM

Nothing wrong with an 300D [NA]. Especially after coming from a 240D.

However, even less wrong with a turbo.
Find the nicest example. If it doesn't have a turbo, fine. If it does have one, better......

Mark DiSilvestro · #29 12-01-2010, 11:57 PM

I have what I consider an exceptional 240D. Solid body & drivetrain. And it's reasonably smooth and quiet, even at 70mph. But I had to experience two lesser 240Ds before I found this one.
If your choice is limited to those 300Ds officially sold in the US, a good turbo model may have a slight edge. Keep in mind the turbo installation clutters access to the right front of the engine, turbo air-cleaner brackets break, and there are extra oil lines with the turbo to worry about. Also, all US-market 300Ds, turbo or not, were saddled with automatic tranny, automatic climate control, and power windows. All extra things to worry about on a 25 - 33 year-old car.
Now, if you could find a nice Euro 300D with the manual heat-AC, manual windows, and a factory 5-speed....

Happy Motoring, Mark

charmalu · #30 12-02-2010, 01:55 AM

Find a nice 240D with a bad engine, swap in a 617.952 engine. then you will have the simple manual climate control, manual windows, manual sun roof, and manual 4-spd. I think the 82 & 83 240 have electric windows and sun roof, but the manual CC.

Would be a little work, but install a 240 manual CC in a 82 - 85 turbo. that would simplify things.

Charlie