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Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

View Poll Results: Which "fuel" miser?
300D 2.5 turbo 7 21.21%
190D turbo 5 15.15%
190D N/A 8 24.24%
'87 300D 5spd mods 3 9.09%
VW diesel(cheap non TDI) 10 30.30%
Voters: 33. You may not vote on this poll

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  #31  
Old 01-25-2012, 04:03 PM
Oldwolf's Avatar
124.128/602.962/722.418
 
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Location: Raleigh, NC
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I drive a 300D 2.5, and I average about 32 mpg.

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1993 W124 300D 2.5L Turbo, OM602.962
2000 Chevrolet Cavalier, 2.4L DOHC
2002 Ford Explorer, 4.0L SOHC
2005 Toyota Prius, 1.5L

http://www.fuelly.com/sig-us/40601.png
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  #32  
Old 01-25-2012, 10:41 PM
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Location: Yucca Valley, CA
Posts: 349
Ahoy A. Shedd from A. Shedd

Have you ever driven a VW Quantum?
They are damn tough to find but are a great middle ground between a tiny Gold and a 190D
The diesels have the same 1.6L turbo motor that is so desired in other models, although mounted transverse. They came in an automatic and the more desirable 5-speed manual. With the latter you can get 40mpg easy.
I had two different sedans and a friend with a wagon, she claimed to get 45-50pmg but mine saw closer to 40-42mpg.

I actually did a quick search and there's one out here for only $2k with a freshly rebuilt engine. If I had the money I'd snatch it up myself!

Last edited by reinventthewheel; 01-26-2012 at 03:13 PM.
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  #33  
Old 01-26-2012, 01:39 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MBeige View Post
If the W201 is out of the question then the obvious would be the W124, 300D 2.5 or 300D 5-speed. Familiarity is there with parts, chassis, and repairs.

But of course a parts car might not be the most comfortable ride to be in (depending on how much parts remain).
Just wanted to say - That is a beautiful 300D! My '85 looks quite good, but no comparison . I must find a second set of rims and get them properly coated. I did a quick job on mine some years back, but they need doing again.

300D - 434k km.
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85 300D,72 350SL, 98 E320, Outback 2.5
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  #34  
Old 01-26-2012, 03:46 PM
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Location: Seattle
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Quote:
Originally Posted by lacolocho View Post
Ahoy A. Shedd from A. Shedd

Have you ever driven a VW Quantum?
They are damn tough to find but are a great middle ground between a tiny Gold and a 190D
The diesels have the same 1.6L turbo motor that is so desired in other models, although mounted transverse. They came in an automatic and the more desirable 5-speed manual. With the latter you can get 40mpg easy.
I had two different sedans and a friend with a wagon, she claimed to get 45-50pmg but mine saw closer to 40-42mpg.

I actually did a quick search and there's one out here for only $2k with a freshly rebuilt engine. If I had the money I'd snatch it up myself!
your silly lol..

I'm not sure I like the look of those Quantum.

I did have an Audi 4000s quattro once that I liked alot.. wonder if they ever stuck a diesel in there? I think mine was an '87
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08 R320 CDI current

Past
95 E420
87 300D Turbo 5spd
90 300TE
83 300SD
85 300TD
92 400E
85 190D

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  #35  
Old 01-27-2012, 01:38 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Southeast
Posts: 1,848
Why do a poll?

You're 6'7". Does it really matter the mpg? You can't even fit into a 190d, so, what's the point? Might as well throw a bicycle into the vote as well.

Get a car you fit into. Move closer to work, or buy more fuel.
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  #36  
Old 01-27-2012, 07:35 AM
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Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Myrtle Beach, SC
Posts: 107
^LOL!^

I forgot about this thread, as I do most I post to.

Here's my little Z during a restoration in '97. I brought it with me on our move south but it was sold a few months later to an admiring neighbors father whom insisted to buy it and paid up for it. He finished it and sold it on eBay for even bigger bucks.




Here's my old 280SE 4 speed coupe which was a casualty of our move. I regretfully sold it rather than bother with transport. It was the last car sold [had 12 in storage at the time] as I didn't want to let it go. Some real estate agent bought it to restore it. It meant a lot to me and is likely the lost love of my life.



The old '70 250. I drove this one on a regular basis. I loved that 3 on the tree trans and big ivory steering wheel!



Back to Datsuns...... I had a 280ZXR [limited 1000 special production "whale tale" cars] that met the same fate. I bought that car off the local legend Jay Hughes' [Pantera dealer] sister. I sold it to a collector whom I suppose still has it. She had a ZZAP car too that I wanted but it got away.

I've owned well over 100 vehicles at this point.

The Z car years came and went though I really enjoyed those cars and was active in the events.

Last edited by lifeisabeach; 01-27-2012 at 07:57 AM.
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  #37  
Old 02-18-2012, 03:58 PM
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Location: Yucca Valley, CA
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Quote:
I did have an Audi 4000s quattro once that I liked alot.. wonder if they ever stuck a diesel in there? I think mine was an '87
They did put diesel engines in the 4000 and 5000 but I don't think they ever put them in a quattro.

Here's a really nice one near me:
>>> Rare '82 Audi 5000 Turbo Diesel <<<
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  #38  
Old 02-18-2012, 04:46 PM
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Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: coquitlam bc canada
Posts: 427
TDI has my vote for cheapest overall to operate

I love My MBs but for lowest cost to operate and best support the 99-04 Jetta or Golf would have to be the cheapest to purchase and operate. They get close to the same mileage as Smarts and various hybrids but are much cheaper to buy and maintain. Smarts are limited lifespan mileage urban vehicles with dealer only maintenance $$$. Same with most hybrids, good luck trying to figure out the onboard GPS/AC controls/ bluetooth gismo when it stops working. You can actually fix a TDI !!! TDIClub is very much in the same vein as Peachparts as far as forums go. If I were commuting cross country as many of you in the US do I would go with an MB , probably a 300d just for the greater comfort. Cheers Dan
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It's always something simple
91 300D 603.960 (from japan) 194K
92 Toyota Diesel Landcruiser HDJ81-t 116K
02 Golf TDI new head courtesy of PO
87 300D
97 BMW 525 TDS Wagon 5spd
bunch of Onan and other diesel generators
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  #39  
Old 02-18-2012, 06:06 PM
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Posts: 399
Quote:
Originally Posted by ashedd View Post
I start a new job tomorrow.. I will be driving 50 miles round trip about 60/40 highway/city. In a year we may move even farther away from work. So I'm thinking of what kind of commuter car I would want.

.....

whatcha think?
I'm curious as to why you think you need another car to commute? I understand our infatuation with MB diesels, but not always the economics of spending money to try to come out ahead. Indulge me and let me play devil's advocate by running numbers through my head.

You're getting about 20mpg right now, no? For that $2000 at $4/gallon diesel you're going to be able to go about 10,000 miles at a cost of $.20/mile exclusive of repairs, tires, insurance, etc.

Now, what happens if you take that same $2000 and buy a car in order to get 40 mpg. For the sake of argument, we're going to have to make the unrealistic assumption that it runs perfectly and won't need *any* work.

How far have you driven? 0 miles.

In order to travel those same 10,000 miles at 40 mpg and $4/gallon fuel, you're going to have to spend (10,000/40 x $4) = $1,000 on top of what you've paid for the car.

At this point, the cost of operating your current car is $.20/mile while the new one is running $.33/mile. Again...this assumes no insurance, repairs or maintenance.

But at this point, you're still a thousand dollars behind the cost of running the old car. You're going to need to drive another 5,000 miles or so to break even.

In a nutshell, if you're driving 50 miles round trip per day or ~ 12,500 per year, then you're going to have to keep it for at least that long before it starts paying for itself.

Actually, that's not so bad and within the realm of possibilty assuming that it's a perfectly running car and that you find what you're looking for in your price range.

Now, imagine if you were in the market for a Prius at $25k or, heaven forbid, a Volt at $40k and tried to make the math work compared to what you have now.

That break even point can almost be measured in decades. Yikes!

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1974 240D "Boldie" 170K.- New timing chain/freshly rebuilt IP/replaced valve seals/injectors/upgraded stereo/new Bilsteins with Yokohamas/fresh paint and rocker panels plus lots of welds.
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