...I won't even let them touch my wheels/tires...

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80 300SD (129k mi) 82 240D stick (193k mi)77 240D auto - stick to be (153k mi) 85 380SL (145k mi) 89 BMW 535i 82 Diesel Rabbit Pickup (374k mi) 91 Jetta IDI Diesel (155k mi) 81 VW Rabbit Convertible Diesel 70 Triumph Spitfire Mk III (63kmi)66 Triumph TR4a IRS (90k mi)67 Ford F-100 (??)

Ugh. Just used Google Translate to read the description on the car:

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

I think that if you want to import a diesel station wagon, the E 320 T CDI would be your best bet, since nearly everything is available here, just in the wrong combinations. A 1995 S124 with OM606 would be a lot more hassle-free, though, as well as cheaper, if you can get it past MD emissions...

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

There was never a CDI W210 sold in the US.

OLD PARKED CARS.: 1991 Mitsubishi Delica Star Wagon.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

If you lived in Europe, you wouldn't be able to walk a kilometer without tripping over something meeting those requirements. However, you don't live in Europe, and over here it's going to be very hard (as in probably impossible) to get something that fits everything on the list. I suspect you'll end up with a spark ignited van or SUV of some sort. Or maybe a Sprinter. Or maybe a diesel van or Excursion. Or a crew cab F-250...

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

VW Passat Wagon if there's a 3rd row option.

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With best regards

Al

The Passat has no 3rd row option, however, its larger cousin the Audi A6 or Audi Allroad wagons do I believe, but neither of those offer a diesel.

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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)

Check out:
Buyer's guide for TDI diesel cars and VW TDI forum and Audi TDI forum
Also check out:
http://denver.craigslist.org/ctd/3904801880.html

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

The 2000 Mazda MPV is on the list of approved vehicles. It unfortunately did not come with a diesel until 2002, so you would need to file a petition to recognize the 2002 as approved also... however, it seems to meet pretty much all of your requirements.

Diesel (I love my wife) -- check
not a large SUV -- check
sylish (unfortunately this means no G wagen or LR Defender) -- check
can seat at least 6 -- check
slightly higher up than a car (she has had back problems and putting kids in carseats is easier) -- check
not a crazy "you could stuff X engine in Y vehicle" -- check
not too expensive (i.e. 5-10k) -- Can you spend $15k?
decent to wrench on (shops are for alignments and tires) -- check
decently economical -- check
Not a US brand -- check
safe -- check

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

A '96 Passat wagon has only 5 seating positions.

"Largest fuel tank of any car ever sold in USA, 25 gallons=1200 Mile driving range."

I can't comment on the driving range but the W140 has a 100 liter tank which is closer to 26 gallons and was 4 years old in the US when the '96 Passat TDI became available. I'm sure land yachts of the 60s and 70s had >25 gallon tanks, too.

A minivan isn't something you appreciate until you have one. Small kids in a rear facing third row seems like a wonderful idea until you rely on it on a daily basis.

If you're stars align, you might catch this puppy in one of its many eBay incarnations - Encore Disponible! OG Citroen CX Diesel Wagon, Now On The West Coast - Daddy Types . If it's the same one I'm drooling over, though, it doesn't have AC.

What's the wife's position on AT vs MT?

Sixto
87 300D

Check the car I was talking about again .

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."

Oops, I mixed posts. You meant the MPV. Shoot, they probably seat 8 in Japan!

Pity about the anti-minivan sentiment and import restrictions. A Vito or Vaneo would fit the bill.

Sixto
87 300D

I know you aren't keen on a gasser but the Honda Odyssey fits the bill perfectly as a family hauler. I love mine and it gets 25 mpg to boot although I drive it like i'm driving a 240D

...any news on the decision front? Flights to Europe are cheapest around February .

__________________
"Senior Luna, your sense of humor is still loco... but we love it, anyway." -rickymay ____ "Your sense of humor is still loco... " -MBeige ____ "Señor Luna, your sense of humor is quite järjetön" -Delibes

1982 300SD -- 211k, Texas car, tranny issues ____ 1979 240D 4-speed 234k -- turbo and tuned IP, third world taxi hot rod

2 Samuel 12:13: "David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die."