Why did you buy your first diesel? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

240 Ed · #46 01-29-2002, 12:43 AM

My neighbor across the street is a truck driver for a local short haul company. He started driving this disreputable looking 240D to work one day. I know this because i could hear this car start up and splutter etc. I grew fond of laughing at this old farting taxi cab starting up in the morning before I jumped into my pristine GTV6 to go to work.
I have always been baffled at why people put up with these cars.

Anyway, I tried to help him sell it to a colleague of mine, but it wouldn't start and he lost interest.

It had new interior parts, carpets, headliner, repaired seats. When rubbed with a finger, the paint shone through promisingly.

Over the next two weeks the damn thing crept into my car brain.
I knew I shouldn't take on another project as none of my other ones were ever finished. Jag, Alfa, Motos, house...

But, gee guys, what could I lose for $200?

So $200 later the madness began. The sickness, where the infected will eventually get their own island. Where only Rod Serling knows the ending...
Oh man, what a weird thing to happen to a petrol head

240 Ed · #47 01-29-2002, 12:57 AM

I]her advice - "Find A Sheep"... i'm confused. [/I]

HaHaHa, spilled my wine! effing funny.[

Ducati · #48 01-29-2002, 04:52 PM

Was the 240 purchased from the same drunken neigbor who hit your GTV?

speedy300Dturbo · #49 01-29-2002, 05:05 PM

I got mine because it was the best all around car for $3000. Suited my needs perfectly, plus I've always had a "thing" for diesels...

240 Ed · #50 01-29-2002, 06:29 PM

That old man died of being a drunk. Gee, too bad.

Ducati · #51 01-29-2002, 06:33 PM

And let that be a lesson to us all!

Jim Anderson · #52 01-29-2002, 07:39 PM

I used to drive taxi for these twin brothers who used to drive truck and settled down. They usually bought a used 4-door anything, get about 70,000 miles out of an engine, rebuild it once and throw the car out. Then they got a Peugeot 504 diesel. That car out-lasted several gassers. Then Olds came out with their diesel and they bought a several of them. Being old truck drivers they knew how to make those cars last and they used half the fuel, which was most of the operating cost, as the gassers. When my turn came to buy a car I considered my official driving record and wanted something low power. A low power gasser would be WOT too much and wouldn’t last. But diesels don’t really care. I couldn’t afford a Mercedes so I bought a Peugeot, and standard Peugeot diesels are around. I’ve had three of them since. The best buy was a 504 with 140,000 miles on it that I bought for $1000 and sold it four years and 65,000 miles later for $900. My last one was a 2.5 liter turbocharged five speed that I kept till 266,000 miles for ten years. That car had no problem staying out of the way of traffic although my official driving record suffered. I’ve got a gasser now but I miss the noise, the sound, the smell, the diesel fuel taste, and just the general way they run.

Ducati · #53 01-29-2002, 07:47 PM

At the shop where I go to scrounge parts for my W123 are several old Peugeots. I have often wondered about how they stack up to MB's. I have asked, & had servicing costs quoted to me that were completely hair-raising. They are even pricier to maintain than my sisters BMW (and thats a lot of money).
Are they as robust and serviceable by owners as 123's? I have often looked with lust at the 504 coupe that they have, but fear the parts (un)availability for these French beasties. (I learned a painful lesson with an old Renault Dauphine)

Capt Kirk · #54 01-29-2002, 10:32 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Jim Anderson
I used to drive taxi for these twin brothers who used to drive truck and settled down. They usually bought a used 4-door anything, get about 70,000 miles out of an engine, rebuild it once and throw the car out. Then they got a Peugeot 504 diesel. That car out-lasted several gassers. Then Olds came out with their diesel and they bought a several of them. Being old truck drivers they knew how to make those cars last and they used half the fuel, which was most of the operating cost, as the gassers. When my turn came to buy a car I considered my official driving record and wanted something low power. A low power gasser would be WOT too much and wouldn’t last. But diesels don’t really care. I couldn’t afford a Mercedes so I bought a Peugeot, and standard Peugeot diesels are around. I’ve had three of them since. The best buy was a 504 with 140,000 miles on it that I bought for $1000 and sold it four years and 65,000 miles later for $900. My last one was a 2.5 liter turbocharged five speed that I kept till 266,000 miles for ten years. That car had no problem staying out of the way of traffic although my official driving record suffered. I’ve got a gasser now but I miss the noise, the sound, the smell, the diesel fuel taste, and just the general way they run.

While I agree with the fact that the characteristics of a Diesel are something that's hard to give up - tasting Diesel Fuel is probably something one sould avoid.

Ducati · #55 01-29-2002, 10:44 PM

You need to mix a lot of cola with diesel, or its pretty strong.
I hear its an acquired taste.

Ducati · #56 01-30-2002, 01:57 AM

I drove a fuel tanker carrying diesel for a while from 1995 to 97'. Diesel contains Benzine - horrible and carcinogenic stuff. If you can keep it down you will likely blow a kidney real fast, or do irrepairable damage to your liver.

Ducati · #57 01-30-2002, 01:58 AM

...and No. I did not take a swig of the stuff.

mikemover · #58 01-30-2002, 02:30 AM

BENZine....funny!

Mike

Ducati · #59 01-30-2002, 04:05 AM

Ah Yesss...BENZine. I neverthought of that.
And I believe that Gottlieb Diamler's original 3wheeler used Coal Oil, of which BENZine is a derivative.
Of courrse, there is probably a petrochemical engineer who contributes to this forum who might be able to elaborate.
Or maybe I am drunk.

P.E.Haiges · #60 01-30-2002, 08:46 AM

Capt Kirk,

Diesel fuel sure tastes better than gasoline.

P E H

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