I think I would have done the same thing if I were in that dog's place.....

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

You never miss an opportunity to make this claim Paul.

Report back when you have a 603, ... I'll be driving mine while you're adjusting valves, and changing oil more frequently, and hoping the vac-pump doesn't fail, and that it doesn't throw a rod, doesn't warp the head, ... the 617 has its issues also. The simple answer is that the 603 is pretty much turn the key and drive for the first 500k if you don't do something stupid, just like the 617.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

Factory turbo engines rarely have overlap due to the exhaust pressure often being double that of the intake. Some companies like Cat use overlap in that way to create an internal-EGR.

603 = cat...617 = dog a perfect analogy.

Well, I have both. A well used and abused 603 in an SDL and practically a fleet of various 616/617 cars.

The SDL is definitely a love-hate relationship...it is a fantastic highway car with loads of power compared to a 617. Economy isn't bad either: I use it to make a once-a-week 120mi round trip to Waterloo to visit Mom and an almost daily 25mi round trip to Cameron to get my farm helpers. Last fill-up it pulled down an amazing 27.8 mpg...from a full-size luxury sedan no less.

The biggest downside is the stupid oil pan. Second issue is the location of the oil cooler. In front of the wheel? What Einstein came up with that? It's just begging to be swatted with a piece of road debris. Other bummers are probably more of a late model Mercedes issue than specific 603 gripes. Sorry plastic parts break if you so much as look at them wrong, window lift glides are more complicated than they need to be...Jeez, the 123 glides were bomb-proof, why'd they change? This list goes on and on...

Not much more can be said about the W123 and 617 combination other than it was probably the best all-round vehicle ever manufactured.

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My whole purpose in getting this SDL back on the road was to take the pressure off of my 300TD and 300D. Both are over 300k miles. They both are good cars but need complete front end rebuilds, paint and the 300D needs some corrosion control in the rear window pinch weld. The 300D's engine got a timing chain at 270k-something. The 300TD should get one soon too.

None of that's getting done until I have my shop finished and that ain't happenin' until I get my house finished. Priorities, 'ya know.

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

Best after a 123 late 240D.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.