I'm considering trading up to a 1987 300d 603 6cyl from a near perfect 1982 240d 4-speed. Ive owned 3 w123 & 1 w126. I really love this 240d but spend more time on the interstate than in town, so wondering if a w124 would be a better fit for me. Getting better than 30mpg in the 240d. Will the 603 6cyl be that good?

Opinions or advice?

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

Dam I hate auto correct sometimes! It will not let me correct my poorly worded title

Anyone out there with experience going from a 240d to a 6cyl turbo 300d?

Differences or expectations?

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

You can expect lower gas mileage. I get 26-27.

Thanks AAA. I got mid 20's at best in my past 300d 5/

I was hoping that the 6cyl got better.

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

My dad's SDL gets 28MPG. Honestly, I would go for the 87 300D. I love my W123, but the 124 would definitely offer a more comfortable drive and a much smoother motor at highway speeds. When I drive the SDL, I've looked down and found myself going 90 before and didn't even realize it. Car takes it like it's nothing.

No valve adjusting is a plus, too

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Never be ashamed to ask for help.

1985 300D
1987 300SDL
1970 Jaguar E-Type OTS
2002 Dodge Intrepid (Traded In)
2011 Ford Crown Victoria

You will like the 124 car alot if you like the 123. It is kinda like driving a "modern" car, especially on the interstate.

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Jim

It looks more like a modern car Jim. Thanks!

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

It's a much more refined car than the w123. Ride quality and handling is superior. You'll like it if you are looking for an upgrade.



.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

MPG's will be about a wash, unless you're able to wrangle up a 606 w124 of course in which case your mileage will improve. I really prefer the w124 to the w123 these days, I love having good AC, air bags, much better and more nimble suspension, and most importantly to me, better brakes with 4-wheell ABS. I'm not sure if your 87 would come equipped with such, but man it's sure nice coming down out of the mountains in the winter. It looks a lot newer too and doesn't seem to be disrespected by so many other drivers on the road, you know, the "I can't be behind that slow old diesel, I HAVE TO BE IN FRONT OF IT not matter the speed he's going" type.

The 240 is far simpler, but the 124 is still an easy beast to wrench on, and they are so well made not too many things will go wrong with them either, at least that's been my experience.

Ok thanks that guy.

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2006 Jetta TDI DSG 320k miles
1997 Ford F150 325k miles 4.2L V6 "Work Truck"
2008 Tundra 225k miles 5.7L
1982 240D.....sold
1984 300D...Totaled OUCH!
1985 300D Turbo 222k miles "Dos" sold to 79Mercy
1986 300SDL 98K miles "The Beater"....sold
1987 190E 2.3 16v Euro spec 115K miles....sold

When I had my SDL, 603 powered it did manage 30mpg and in my '87 300D I do see 30mpg. I wish I had it when I drove to CT, I tried very hard to average 28 mpg in that thing on the highway, I bet I could have gotten 35 mpg highway with my 300D.

I do a lot of highway driving and the w124 is a nice highway cruiser.

I've been getting 27-28.5 combined out of my 87 300D. I drive mostly city, but when I am on the highway I drive 80mph or better. I love 123s but the jump in refinement is enormous.

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68 280SL - 70 280SL - 70 300SEL 3.5 - 72 350SL - 72 280SEL 4.5 - 72 220 - 72 220D - 73 450SL - 84 230GE - 87 200TD - 90 190E 2.0 - 03 G500

Nissan GTR - Nissan Skyline GTS25T - Toyota GTFour - Rover Mini - Toyota Land Cruiser HJ60 - Cadillac Eldorado - BMW E30 - BMW 135i

Am I the only one that actually does speed limit?

I've driven PLENTY of 123's and 126's, the 124 is TOTALLY a different animal. in great tune, with the suspension dialed in, the 124 from 87 will just SUCK UP the interstate! I think if you drive the 124 like you drive the 240D you will get better economy, but you won't drive it the same way... you'll fly in the car. you actually have to WATCH the speedometer to know how fast you are going... you can actually hear your radio, along with your cel phone, and anyone in the car trying to talk to you.
BUT
the 240D is a very simple klatta klatta car, and the 87 is not.
it's almost silent to drive and idle.
the cooling system is actually important to the car, and needs severe maintenance to keep from grenading... a failed belt can ruin the motor.
the vacuum pump has a plastic cage that WHEN it fails, will grenade the motor....
the fan clutch WILL fail about every 75Kmiles... keep up with it.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

I think that the guys are giving good advice here. I think it really boils down to what your requirements are.

If you want better speed, comfort, handling and quiet on your highway travels, then by all means, get the W124.

I chose my 240D because I wanted ruggedness, simplicity, and durability. It is exceedingly easy to wrench on it, and everything I've touched so far seems well-built, simple, and serviceable. So long as you have a Zen-like mentality when driving it, and realize you'll need to downshift and be patient when going up hills, then it is an awesome car.

Especially with a 4-speed manual, manual windows, and such, I LOVE the 240D, but for totally different reasons.

So, it really comes down to your requirements.

Sincerely,

PE

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83 240D - 4 speed manual - Manilla Beige
189K miles, Tachometer mod, cool wooden shift knob from PeachParts, CocoMats, Original factory paint, manual windows, manual sunroof. Starting to add AudioWrap to this car too!