I have with much regret traded my last MB diesel. My wife needed a new vehicle that had greater capacity and did not require premium unleaded fuel. So, we traded the 97 E300 for a 2013 Ford Explorer;it is a very nice truck to be sure. Alas, I am not totally with a Mercedes Benz, I now drive the 06 E350 my wife was driving so I will be lurking around the non-diesel forums so you all are not rid of me yet. Take care and if I can assist any of you just give a shout. Oh the reason for moving to a vehicle that burns regular unleaded, my wife now drives around 900 miles a week for work!

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Keith Schuster
2006 E350 98K miles
2013 Ford Explorer 15K miles

... how is going from a decent fuel economy diesel to a iffy economy gas suv going to help this drive?

...

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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!

Miles per gallon are about equal so dropping the $.40 per gallon is a benefit. This ain't your gandpas SUV!

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Keith Schuster
2006 E350 98K miles
2013 Ford Explorer 15K miles

You ever considered going to WVO? that would sure be cheaper then gas.

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1978 w123 300D astral silver "Benzie"
1980 w123 300CD orient red "Benzie 2"
1994 w124 E500 "Big Black"
1998 w163 ML320 "Ole' Faithfull"
1969 Datsun 2000 roadster

Our 2006 VW Jetta TDI gets 46 mpg mixed city/hwy. Straight hwy nets 52. A Ford Exploder cannot come anywhere close to that.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

The diesel had 265K miles the E350 only had 85K so I had to hang onto the gas burner. Not only that I am not one to brew my own fuel in my back yard.

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Keith Schuster
2006 E350 98K miles
2013 Ford Explorer 15K miles

Where in my thread did I mention having a VW anything so the comparison is useless. Not only that my wife cannot haul the product she represents in any car.

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Keith Schuster
2006 E350 98K miles
2013 Ford Explorer 15K miles

Oh the logic of people, you traded 40 cents a gallon (its 20 around here, 40 seems a bit high) gas price, for a monthly car payment + probably worse overall fuel economy.

I'd sure not be driving an SUV if I had to drive 900 miles a week for work....I'd be driving a 190d or a Jetta/Golf TDI, or even a ML320 or E320 cdi. Diesel Jetta wagon, tons of room, plus 40+mpg.

SUV's have huge expensive tires on them, those will wear down nice and quick driving 40k a year too.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

PawsoSD does have a point... Especially about the car payments, I bet the taxes are higher too... Maybe not the best decision? Could get a w123 wagon

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1978 w123 300D astral silver "Benzie"
1980 w123 300CD orient red "Benzie 2"
1994 w124 E500 "Big Black"
1998 w163 ML320 "Ole' Faithfull"
1969 Datsun 2000 roadster

Grip it and rip it......much as I love my old benz..... I love a cool new car.

When asked why you made the move.....repeat after me..."Because I can"!

Its kind of like driving with the A/C on and the sun roof open...why? "Because I can".

And no one can ever argue that 'cause you know down deep they really want to too...LOL

Have fun!

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1986 300SDL 440,xxx

There's truly no worse an investment than a brand new car, especially if you are going to drive it 40k a year, because after 3-4 years it will be close to worthless with around 150k on it, will be needing many repairs, AND for most on a 5 year payment, will STILL have payments!

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Hey guys, Shoe made a decision he is happy with. I see no reason for any vitriol.

We'll miss you. I hope the new car works out well. I agree that the new Explorers look pretty cool.


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!

WTF is wrong with some people?

Even if a guy wasn't planning to leave, he probably would have after some of these responses. Weirdos.

Best wishes, Shoe, and enjoy the new rig that your wife (and maybe you) chose to best represent her transportation needs.

Bankruptcy forced me to scrap my SDL and buy a Buick. Flame away, suckahs!!!

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James Marriott
2003 Buick Regal
1983 300D (228k, frau Auto)
1996 Suburban K2500 (192k, 6.5 turbo diesel/4WD towmaster 10,000)
www.engineeringworks.biz
1987 300SDL junker 170k
1982 300SD junker, 265k

I agree, drive whatever pleases you and the family. This isn't a part of our every day world where "one shoe" fits every one. Shoe, hang around and let us hear from you now and then,

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Junqueyardjim
Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important. C.S. Lewis



1983 Mercedes W123 240D 4 Speed 285,000 on the road with a 617 turbo, beautiful butter yellow, license plate # 83 240D INDIANA

2003 Jaguar Type X, AWD. beautiful, good mileage,
Mom's car, but I won't let her drive it!

Congratulations on the new car! The new Explorers are very nice with lots of goodies that make our old Benzes seem, well... old. I just purchased a Ford Explorer, my third one.