New (to us) family hauler - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

pawoSD · #16 08-16-2013, 07:56 AM

Vanagons are weird....they have lug bolts on one axle and studs on the other.

Mölyapina · #17 08-16-2013, 08:54 AM

Here's what I'd boil it down to:

1) Gasser minivan (in which case I'd recommend the 2004-10 Toyota Sienna)
2) Sprinter van
3) 1987 300TD
4) The very outside chance that a European Land Cruiser would work -- they came with diesels over there. -- too expensive
5) GL350 -- too expensive

martureo · #18 08-16-2013, 09:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Here's what I'd boil it down to:

1) Gasser minivan (in which case I'd recommend the 2004-10 Toyota Sienna)
2) Sprinter van
3) 1987 300TD
4) The very outside chance that a European Land Cruiser would work -- they came with diesels over there. -- too expensive
5) GL350 -- too expensive

Well my wife reminded me that I missed a requirement. That a "no minivan" agreement was part of our wedding vows.

I think we're leaning towards a 606 swap into a late s124 or find a european model to import.

Subaru never made a diesel as far as I can tell and I don't even want to imagine an engine swap on that thing. But my wife already made it known that switching to gas is not an option. Even if some of her requirements aren't met.

JB3 · #19 08-16-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

Well my wife reminded me that I missed a requirement. That a "no minivan" agreement was part of our wedding vows.

I think we're leaning towards a 606 swap into a late s124 or find a european model to import.

Subaru never made a diesel as far as I can tell and I don't even want to imagine an engine swap on that thing. But my wife already made it known that switching to gas is not an option. Even if some of her requirements aren't met.

she might change her mind if you could find something like this to import from Canada.

Turbo diesel Toyota intercooled, 4x4 minivan.

JB3 · #20 08-16-2013, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

Well my wife reminded me that I missed a requirement. That a "no minivan" agreement was part of our wedding vows.

I think we're leaning towards a 606 swap into a late s124 or find a european model to import.

Subaru never made a diesel as far as I can tell and I don't even want to imagine an engine swap on that thing. But my wife already made it known that switching to gas is not an option. Even if some of her requirements aren't met.

heres an 87 300TD that needs a head gasket the ad says. Looks somewhat clean-

1987 Mercedes Benz W124 300TD turbodiesel wagon

Mölyapina · #21 08-16-2013, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JB3

she might change her mind if you could find something like this to import from Canada.

Turbo diesel Toyota intercooled, 4x4 minivan.

Whooo! Sign ME up!

t walgamuth · #22 08-16-2013, 10:10 AM

For a diesel an R class comes to mind.

If she'd consider a gasser mini van the Mazda5 like my Mrs. has is very well done, drives like a car and is available in a five or six speed manual. I think with stick its rated 30 hiway.

Mölyapina · #23 08-16-2013, 10:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by martureo

Well my wife reminded me that I missed a requirement. That a "no minivan" agreement was part of our wedding vows.

I think we're leaning towards a 606 swap into a late s124 or find a european model to import.

Subaru never made a diesel as far as I can tell and I don't even want to imagine an engine swap on that thing. But my wife already made it known that switching to gas is not an option. Even if some of her requirements aren't met.

Is your wife reading this thread? If so, hi!

Here is what I would suggest: this + this + this

.

You know what? I forgot something. The Volvo 740 I-6 Turbodiesel station wagon. It's reputed to be a nice, comfortable, and smooth diesel. Very safe, too, and it was available in the US from 1983-86 and in Europe until 1988. You might want to try that.

JB3 · #24 08-16-2013, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

You made my point - they're NOT really Mercedes-Benz - they're badged out as being Mercedes-Benz.

In fact, their countries and manufacturers of origin are numerous including Freightliner. It all depends on the parts on any particular van. As sixto has uncovered through wiki, they're from a lot of places around the globe of various manufacturers of components including Freightliner.

that goes for pretty much any manufacturer. All the VWs made in Mexico would then be called Mexican cars by this criteria.

The Mazda Navaho sold under the Mazda brand then wouldn't be a Ford Explorer, but would then be considered a Mazda vehicle.

The sprinter vans are badge engineering vs a more complex platform sharing strategy. When MB bought Chrysler, all they did was market their popular full size van under the Chrysler nameplate Dodge. Id imagine the reason was people associate MB with high price and high quality, and people associate Dodge with work trucks. To do this they dropped the old and not particularly well designed full size ram line of vans.
They sent them over here to be completed exactly as designed by the Germans, therefore I consider all the different nameplate sprinters to be MB sprinter vans.

Badge engineering - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

jcyuhn · #25 08-16-2013, 10:16 AM

An R-class kinda sorta meets his requirements. But if you are on any kind of a budget, frankly you can't afford an OM642 powered MB. For example: 2007 R320 Swirl Flapper Motor Shorted Out

An E-class wagon will carry 6 passengers, but no luggage - the jump seat takes up the cargo space.

Frankly, I see a Honda Odyssey in his future.

funola · #26 08-16-2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jooseppi Luna

Is your wife reading this thread? If so, hi!

Here is what I would suggest: this + this + this

.

You know what? I forgot something. The Volvo 740 I-6 Turbodiesel station wagon. It's reputed to be a nice, comfortable, and smooth diesel. Very safe, too, and it was available in the US from 1983-86 and in Europe until 1988. You might want to try that.

That's an old beast from the 80's with a VW engine and not easy to work on, if the I6 is anything like the 4 cyl VW IDI's. E.g. to change the water pump, you have to remove the alternator, AC compressor and bracket, injection pump (you read that right).

jcyuhn · #27 08-16-2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

That's an old beast from the 80's with a VW engine and not easy to work on, if the I6 is anything like the 4 cyl VW IDI's. E.g. to change the water pump, you have to remove the alternator, AC compressor and bracket, injection pump (you read that right).

I used to see a few of those around town, back when I was driving a 123.133. The smoke screen they lay down is incredible, it's like a destroyer protecting a battleship in WWII or something.

JB3 · #28 08-16-2013, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

That's an old beast from the 80's with a VW engine and not easy to work on, if the I6 is anything like the 4 cyl VW IDI's. E.g. to change the water pump, you have to remove the alternator, AC compressor and bracket, injection pump (you read that right).

dont they have timing belts on both ends of the engine? one up against the firewall in other words, just as impossible to service as an old saab.

if we consider cars that age, he might as well stick with a nice quality 300TD 123 chassis with a 617 and a 3rd row seat.

My understanding is they want newer? more safety features?

How about a 210 chassis wagon diesel with higher mileage? I see sedans all the time on craigslist, did they make a diesel wagon in 210 chassis?

Mölyapina · #29 08-16-2013, 10:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by funola

That's an old beast from the 80's with a VW engine and not easy to work on, if the I6 is anything like the 4 cyl VW IDI's. E.g. to change the water pump, you have to remove the alternator, AC compressor and bracket, injection pump (you read that right).

Shows what I know