Long story but, I'm going to be selling my 07 VW Passat here in the next few weeks and am looking at replacements to be a DD. The 240D is the garage queen and being as the cold weather is starting to creep up, she'll be parked for the winter soon enough.

I've already decided I want another diesel and have narrowed it down to two models. The 300SDL or e300D with the 60X. engine.. I believe both have the 603's in them. i'd love to get my hands on a nice 95 E300D special edition with one for sale here locally but it has some spoiler on it. Price is 3250 with 202K on it. Any advice on what I should be looking for or rather any advice on what I should stay away from with these models/ engine types? I like the 616's and 617's but, I'm looking for something with more pep that I can drive everyday and on the expressway if need be.

Thanks Guys!

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1983 Euro 240D 277K
2016 Mazda 6
Coming Soon, 2013 Mercedes E350 Bluetec
Formers:
2012- Mazda 3
2007 Outlander- complete pile
1995 E300 Diesel 208K
2007 VW Passat 2.0T 63K SOLD
2003 Jaguar X-type 3.0 Sport Sold 04/11 w/88K
2009 Lexus RX350 9061 miles. Sold 04/09
2008 Mitsubishi Lancer GTS:Totaled Sept.,09 @ 24,000
2003 Infiniti I35 58K Sold
1984 300 turbo diesel 222K

Post '85 your choices are:

86-89 190D 2.5 = W201 2.5 liter 5 cyl 602 optional MT
87 190D 2.5 turbo = W201 2.5 liter 5 cyl 602 turbo
86-87 300SDL = W126 3 liter 6 cyl 603 turbo
87 300D or TD = W124 3 liter 6 cyl 603 turbo
90-93 300D 2.5 = W124 2.5 liter 6 cyl 602 turbo
90-91 350SDL = W126 3.5 liter 6 cyl 603 turbo
91 350SD = W126 3.5 liter 6 cyl 603 turbo
92-95 300SD/S350 = W140 3.5 liter 6 cyl 603 turbo
95 E300 = W124 3 liter 6 cyl 606
96-97 E300 = W210 3 liter 6 cyl 606
98-99 E300 = W210 3 liter 6 cyl 606 turbo

If there's an engine to avoid it's the 3.5 liter 603 because far too many suffer from bent rods causing oil consumption and smoke. They are not unreliable since they will go a long way before oil consumption makes one impractical. If you're a DIYer, a 3.0 conversion is pretty easy and good used 3.0 blocks are available. Take a good look at a 3.5 with a factory replacement engine. Few factory replacement engines have recurring problems.

The W140 can be a money pit with all the little and not so little things that can go wrong such as the AC evaporator and closing assist. A poorly maintained one is costly to keep on the road if you're not a hardcore DIYer.

About the only caution with the 95 E300 is stuck glow plugs. Stuck glow plugs can cost you more than "AC just needs a charge." If I were buying one from a dealer, I'd have the glow plugs replaced before taking delivery.

Sixto
87 300D

Look out for rust on them there W210s

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!