300 D 5 speed info - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

vstech · #16 10-11-2012, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustPassinThru

Hi gsxr,

Seeing as how I now have $2600 kicking around in my pocket from my insurance company, after totalling my 1985 300D...what would you recommend I shop for, in a diesel station wagon? The W124 wagons don't seem like they would have a decent amount of hp compared to the 300D's 120 or so.

as an aficionado of the 124 wagons I have to say they certainly do have plenty of get up and go. I believe they come stock with 145hp. they have a taller rear diff, at 2.65:1 but still have stout acceleration. and it's SMOOOOTH! and quiet. if you MUST have the noisy clatta at idle, you may want to skip the 124...

techno · #17 10-11-2012, 08:05 AM

I am currently overseas but had a friend with EXTENSIVE knowledge of these cars check it out for me. He used to import Mercedes to the US and is very familiar with the W123 and grey market procedures, and therefore the Euro versions.

Here are his notes from his inspection:

My opinion: Interesting W123 because of the general condition and 5 spd Euro version,

But, the negatives:

1. Repaint, well done but poorly masked off and detailed, overspray, etc. Correct color code I believe-
2. Trunk does not line up with rear taillight area, been pushed in at some point
3. Rear bumper is from a Kombi, station wagen, not the sedan
4. Under the dash-the kick panel not secured ad hangs down while trying to push in the clutch
5. Rear. passenger's carpet with pad is missing, probably at the paint shop
6. Undercoating sprayed to make the car look "fresh"
7. After market radio, probably a plus but I'd like to have the original radio in it

8. Front Grille replaced, poor job on the rubber seal
9. Areas with overspray

10. Cracks in the MB Tex
11. Taillight assemblies used with a crack in one and the other not secured
12. Removed gas cap, rusted on, look at what I saw!
13. Poor body work down the driver's side passenger's rear door, waves in the body-

14. Heavy paint with overspray, paint

15. Scratches and dents on paint, dr's. side, r. passenger

16. Slight soft dent in the hood.

So I would have a hard time paying anything over $6,000 for this one. A 5 cylinder N/A and 5 speed sounds nice but not at the price and condition this one is in.

Email me if you would like to see the pictures that were taken.

t walgamuth · #18 10-11-2012, 08:09 AM

The burgandy car would have come with the 346 diff from the factory. With that diff you should be able to get around 30 hiway. In mine we swapped in the 307 diff and get 35 with regularity hiway. driving on secondary roads at 55 to 60 my daughter had a couple of tanks where she got 40 mpg.

That looks like a nice clean car. It will probalby sell at the price imho.

t walgamuth · #19 10-11-2012, 08:11 AM

Oh, and the eruo na has plenty of power. Startlingly more than a 240d.

Not much different than the turbo model and a lot simpler.

Mine will run 100 mph even with the 307 diff.

MTUpower · #20 10-11-2012, 08:28 AM

I bought my first w124 this summer- a 95 e320 wagon. I've been all w123 wagons prior- with a few w126 and others. I love the w124. If feels like a real car not a collector car. I'm loathe to go back to my w123 wagon.

This car in the ebay looks goofy. Who has two different hub caps colors?

BTW stock w123 turbo 0-60 was about 15 seconds. With a manual take no more than a second off that. My modified 95X engine with a IC got it close to 11+ seconds- with a MYNA IP about 9 seconds. This car with the five speed maybe 16 seconds.

t walgamuth · #21 10-11-2012, 08:52 AM

The 124 definately drives better than the 123, but is not as durable nor as mechanic friendly.

vstech · #22 10-11-2012, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

I bought my first w124 this summer- a 95 e320 wagon. I've been all w123 wagons prior- with a few w126 and others. I love the w124. If feels like a real car not a collector car. I'm loathe to go back to my w123 wagon.

This car in the ebay looks goofy. Who has two different hub caps colors?

BTW stock w123 turbo 0-60 was about 15 seconds. With a manual take no more than a second off that. My modified 95X engine with a IC got it close to 11+ seconds- with a MYNA IP about 9 seconds. This car with the five speed maybe 16 seconds.

I was under the impression that the stock turbo 123 got 12seconds to 60...
the 124 wagon will do it in around 10, the 124 sedan will do it in around 8... the NA auto 617's will get there in around 20, the NA 616's will do it in around a year...

gsxr · #23 10-11-2012, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustPassinThru

Hi gsxr,

Seeing as how I now have $2600 kicking around in my pocket from my insurance company, after totalling my 1985 300D...what would you recommend I shop for, in a diesel station wagon? The W124 wagons don't seem like they would have a decent amount of hp compared to the 300D's 120 or so.

If you must have a DIESEL station wagon... you only have one option, the 1987 300TD. It has 148hp in stock form after the trap is removed (free dealer recall if the car still has it) and they can be turned up to 160-170hp with a little tweaking. Much faster (and quieter) than the 123 sedans. Only about 1500 were imported to the USA and many of those are gone, so the main problem will be locating one in decent condition, at an affordable price. Nice ones tend to command a premium, I've seen really nice ones in the $5k-$10k range. One just popped up for sale locally (click here) but from the few fuzzy photos, it looks to me like the price is about $2k high (asking $6k).

On the flip side... 124 wagons with gas engines are plentiful and relatively cheap. I'd look for a 94/95 E320 wagon, even better if it has ASR and heated seats (especially if you live in a cold climate). But for $2600 you'll probably be looking at 1990-ish wagons, which are ok, but nothing special... I'm personally not that fond of the M103 engine, but some people prefer the relative simplicity of the mechanical injection over the more refined & powerful M104 with electronic injection, distributorless ignition, etc. 1993-95 wagons have the M104 motor, 1988-1992 have the M103.

Edit: Are you in the Seattle area? Here's a few - the one 87 diesel is a fixxer-upper though:
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/3307034814.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/cto/3322627851.html
http://seattle.craigslist.org/see/ctd/3322621202.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/wsc/cto/3322729672.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/clk/cto/3321636045.html
http://portland.craigslist.org/mlt/ctd/3327253699.html

gsxr · #24 10-11-2012, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTUpower

I bought my first w124 this summer- a 95 e320 wagon. I've been all w123 wagons prior- with a few w126 and others. I love the w124. If feels like a real car not a collector car. I'm loathe to go back to my w123 wagon.

Exactly. Thanks for the first-hand experience.

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

The 124 definately drives better than the 123, but is not as durable nor as mechanic friendly.

The 124 chassis and engines are no less durable, and if anything, the 124 is MORE mechanic friendly. Anyone who claims otherwise hasn't spent enough time wrenching on a 124. The 123 may be simpler but that does not translate into "friendly".

JustPassinThru · #25 10-11-2012, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr

...the 1987 300TD...

In your (and others') opinion(s), is it a viable plan to purchase a newer W124 gasser wagon, and eventually transplant a good OM603 from a sedan into it? --or are there issues with transmission, ASR, exhaust routing, or some other gotcha?

gsxr · #26 10-11-2012, 05:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustPassinThru

In your (and others') opinion(s), is it a viable plan to purchase a newer W124 gasser wagon, and eventually transplant a good OM603 from a sedan into it? --or are there issues with transmission, ASR, or some other gotcha?

You'd have to be a pretty serious die-hard dieseler to go through with that swap. You'd need the diesel engine+transmission, and there may be minor driveshaft flange issues, plus swapping the vacuum "ignition" switch, etc. If the car had ASR that would be disabled (best to convert a non-ASR car, IMO). And, there would be major problems with emissions testing, if you live in a state that has smog requirements. On the bright side, you'd be starting with a late 124 chassis with all the facelift stuff.

IMO... I'd either keep & drive the E320 as-is (what's the problem with the gasser, btw?), or look for a super clean well-maintained 1987 300TD, even if you have to pay a premium for it. It's FAR easier to resurrect an existing diesel car (assuming it's not rusted out or wrecked), than to convert powerplants.

FWIW: The diesel wagon will only get about 20-30% better fuel economy. And with diesel prices hanging around 10-15% above gas prices, there is not much cost savings based on fuel alone, unless you drive a HUGE number of miles per year, and/or get lots of free biodiesel.

JustPassinThru · #27 10-11-2012, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr

You'd have to be a pretty serious die-hard dieseler to go through with that swap...there is not much cost savings based on fuel alone, unless you drive a HUGE number of miles per year, and/or get lots of free biodiesel.

I drove my late, great "deer departed" '85 300D on an SVO blend for 28,000 miles unmodified with nary a hitch, except once when the engine overheated (not the fuel's fault, the thermostat and water pump decided to both die within 500 miles of each other). My commute is 500 miles a week, so 80-cents-a-gallon fuel is a powerful incentive.

gsxr · #28 10-11-2012, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JustPassinThru

I drove my late, great "deer departed" '85 300D on an SVO blend for 28,000 miles unmodified with nary a hitch, except once when the engine overheated (not the fuel's fault, the thermostat and water pump decided to both die within 500 miles of each other). My commute is 500 miles a week, so 80-cents-a-gallon fuel is a powerful incentive.

Ah, that it is. You may want to check out the 90-93 300D 2.5 Turbos, unless you really really need a wagon...

t walgamuth · #29 10-11-2012, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gsxr

Exactly. Thanks for the first-hand experience.

The 124 chassis and engines are no less durable, and if anything, the 124 is MORE mechanic friendly. Anyone who claims otherwise hasn't spent enough time wrenching on a 124. The 123 may be simpler but that does not translate into "friendly".

Please give an example proving the 124 is easier to work on.

winmutt · #30 10-12-2012, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

Please give an example proving the 124 is easier to work on.

Floating calipers make pad changes take 15minutes for both sides.

Generally, I find them to be about the same to work on.

Now a 240D has enough room under the hood for a tear party and is by far the easiest car I have ever worked on. I dropped a manual trans in under an hour once.

W124 is hands down a better riding car in all aspects (sans coolness factor of all that chrome).