I believe your talking about me there Bill


I like Diesels cause it's a lot easier to work on (except for the Jetta, it was a pain in general, fun, but painful) and the sound of the Turbo Diesel accelerating, throwing you into the back of the seat as it lunges off the line. When you have a properly tuned Diesel Engine you'll be surprised at how much omph it has.

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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

ap sharpy sharp, I'm over here representen Richmond. Where is your closes Mercedes dealership. Is it the same one on Broad Street everybody buy from?

I got attached to diesel power back in my truck driving days. These things withstood day in and day out of my foot planted firmly to the mat, and bouncing off of the governor - all while pulling huge loads. Alot has to be said for the power and efficiency of pulling 112K loads over hilly terrain @ approximately 80 mph, all while still delivering 7 mpg.

I'm not quite sure where Donkey is coming from with the hard to start when cold. My 240D is NOT a healthy car. Started up immediately with temps in the teens on only a single glow plug cycle. My car does not have a block heater. This car consumes oil at the rate of 1 qt every 300 miles.

In my Dodge truck, the only comparable engine in terms of hauling ability of my 5.9L Cummins turbodiesel is the 8.0L V10 gasser. I get literally DOUBLE the fuel economy of the gasser, and if I want to, can still outrun the 302, and 305 V8's from Ford and GM.

I also drive at least 30,000 miles a year. The longevity and economy of a diesel are paramount in the operational costs, as well as the distance the vehicle can travel before it is just plain worn out.

I like my diesels.

Benz Man 600; Your question is legitimate....and...unlike other gasser-guys, you have not insulted anyone. So, I will say that I like all Mercedes Benz, and can envision a nice 350SL in my garage one day, to accompany my 300D. However, I absolutely love my 300 because of its reliability, and that I; an amateur shade-tree type hobbyist mechanic of modest means, can perform all repairs that the car has needed so far (and there have been very few, other than just periodic maintenance & tinkering). The diesel is simple - no electrical ignition system to get wet and give me grief. The engine is just a big air pump that will run forever and is easy to diagnose problems with. At one time I questioned why anyone would own & drive a "smelly old diesel" ...however now that I have been enlightened, and know that a well maintained a diesel need not belch black smoke, and a turbodiesel actually has very satisfying power. The longer I own my 300D & the more I drive it, the more I am enamoured with it. I think about getting another one, so that I can have a "lifetime supply of diesels", and in case the secret about them gets out, & all the good ones get snapped up or prices rise to silly levels. Wait & see - they have a cult following already. Collector & classic status is inevitable.

I like my diesel for a few reasons. I like the sound, it sounds like a truck. It's different, I like different. It is wicked reliable. My car is 23 years old and has never left us stranded. It's been in my family since 86. It's economical. It has character, something I personally think a lot of cars are missing. It has real wood inside. I gues that's a really special feature as friends always ask in an awe-like tone, "Is this real wood?".

I dunno, you'd think something slow and smelly would be hard to like, but the old 300D just seems to have this dignified poise as it pokes down the road. Plus, it just plain refuses to die. It has 357K miles on it and is going strong.

My girlfriend's name is Jennifer, she's in college, and get this, she drives a VTEC Honda Civic. What are odds! It went into the dealer for some new front springs, it's only 6 months old. She drove the old benz for a few days and I switched to my 4runner with its welded diff, lifted, big tires, etc.... I gave her the run down on how to start it, shift it since it doesn't downshift right. At first she was like "great, not exactly a no brainer to drive". The next day I asked her how it was treating her and she said she really like it. Didn't quite know why, it's just cool in its own way. It's got class. I was glad to have it back after driving the truck.

Frank

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'82 300SD

"If I try a one, do you think I'll get hooked, or am I still to young?"
Benzman600


All I have to say in response to this statement is; "huh?"

Have a great day,

just remember this folks , when the gas is all gone
there will still be diesel!

most gas cars get 300 miles from their fillup , so we'll see
ya 200 miles further down the road when our diesel finally
needs to stop ....

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1984 300D Turbo - 231k....totalled 11/30/07 RIP

Hey 600
The closest dealership is West Motors in Roanoke. They are a total rip off since they are the benz dealership for 2 hours they can charge whatever.

While my '75 300D had a block heater, I rarely got to use it as I was living in an apartment. Despite this, I was routinely able to start ol' Blue in temperatures below zero. Only when the temp got less than 10 below zero and when the starter was cranking slow did I have problems. When the starter was slow, I was even having problems in warm weather!

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Michael LaFleur

'05 E320 CDI - 86,000 miles
'86 300SDL - 360,000 miles
'85 300SD - 150,000 miles (sold)
'89 190D - 120,000 miles (sold)
'85 300SD - 317,000 miles (sold)
'98 ML320 - 270,000 miles (sold)
'75 300D - 170,000 miles (sold)
'83 Harley Davidson FLTC (Broken again) :-(
'61 Plymouth Valiant - 60k mikes
2004 Papillon (Oliver)
2005 Tzitzu (Griffon)
2009 Welsh Corgi (Buba)

Not just ANY diesel, but the 123 body 240 and 300.
These models were the last to have proper, functional, bumpers. The looks of these models will never go out of style. You can buy an absolutely super one for under $5k. There is little in any sense that I think I could ask for in these cars, and little that I would want taken away...in short, they represent "mature" technology, the ultimate development/refinement of a purely mechanical idea...like the '73 VW beetle, and the '47 Packard. Unlike anything built since, they won't wear out if merely given a modicum of care, and what bits DO wear out can be replaced economically. The great Roman architect Vitruvius would approve. Mercedes-Benz for me can be divided into two categories: rich people's cars and smart people's cars. The W123 models neatly fit into the latter category, 'tho a LOT of rich people still run them.

You can make that 400 miles further if you have one of the rare auxiliary fuel tanks mounted in the trunk of some diesels.
Ken

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K. Weimer
300SD (1)
300D (5) [Plus 1 parts]
300SEL 4.5 (2)
280SE (4)
280 (2)
250 (1)
250SE (1)
240D (7) [Plus 1 parts]
220D (11) [Plus 3 parts]
200D (2) [Plus 1 parts]
180c (with sunroof)

1995 Nissan UD1800 rollback
"If I can't fix it, it don't get fixed"

And some of us will be making our own diesel fuel in the backyard shed.

I read an article a while back where a European company was making biodiesel out of animal carcasses. Hmmm...I wonder if that will cause "Mad Car Disease"?

Some people probably think us "dieseldogs" already have a form of mad car disease

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1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

I like it...

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ASE Master Mechanic
asemastermechanic@juno.com

Prototype R&D/testing:
Thermal & Aerodynamic System Engineering (TASE) Senior vehicle instrumentation technician.
Noise Vibration and Harshness (NVH).
Dynamometer.
Heat exchanger durability.
HV-A/C Climate Control.
Vehicle build.
Fleet Durability
Technical Quality Auditor.
Automotive Technical Writer

1985 300SD
1983 300D
1984 190D
2003 Volvo V70
2002 Honda Civic

https://www.boldegoist.com/

Mainly the instantaneous throttle response (non-turbo models). Engine is unaffected by load- pulls hard whether heavy or light. Also like the sound and smell. Fuel economy, less costly maintenance and industrial build quality also factor in. Potential for WVO conversion.