Looking this weekend at a 93 300D TurboD
& an 87 300D Turbo.

Cosmetics from pics I see are good for both years on each one .. Price is similar ...

I am looking for comparisons in reliability ' ride ; durability etc...
Any quick tips appreciated....

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'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

I can't comment on the d part but I own an 89 300e and a 93 300te. The 93 is much better as it has very comfortable seats, (heated as well) shiny paint, and airbags.

93 is one of the last years for the w124 so they had all of the bugs worked out by then.

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Eugene

10 E63 AMG
93 300te 4matic
07 BMW X3
14 Ford F-150 Fx2

Both years are good diesel car. Same OM60x series engines. If the condition is the same then take the new car. 6 years newer is a lot of car, for comfort, gadget and both airbags.

The 93 will be slower than the 87 off the line. However, I love my 87. I have not driven a 93 myself.

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Not MBZ nor A/C trained professional but a die-hard DIY and green engineer. Use the info at your own peril. Picked up 2 Infractions because of disagreements. NOW reversed.

W124 Keyless remote, PM for details. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/mercedes-used-parts-sale-wanted/334620-fs-w124-chasis-keyless-remote-%2450-shipped.html

1 X 2006 CDI
1 x 87 300SDL
1 x 87 300D
1 x 87 300TDT wagon
1 x 83 300D
1 x 84 190D ( 5 sp ) - All R134 converted + keyless entry.

93 has the 5 cly 602, the .418 transmission, the smaller flex discs, and no glove box in the dash, but it has better fuel economy, better interior trim, better seat choices with more comfort, and more likely to not be worn out.

the 87 has the 6 cylinder 603with more torque and hp, the stronger .417 transmission it has larger cooler lines, and a larger diameter flex disc set. I like having a glove box, not a roll top console and flip up cushion...

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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's 722.317 for the '87 300D.

The 87's original #14 head casting is subject to irreparable cracks if overheated. It can take months or years for cracks to progress to definite symptoms. 93's of late suffer from head gaskets that leak oil into the #1 and even #2 cylinder. The heads are reusable.

Having driven ~80K miles in an '87 that performs nicely, I don't see how anyone gets 30mpg and gets to their destination on time (I know, leave earlier). 28mpg is the best I get on level terrain with the cruise set at 75 mph until the tank runs dry. People I know well get better than 30mpg highway in their '93 300D or even '95 E300. I manage 24mpg overall with mostly suburban driving with AC on. A '93 would meet all my driving needs except for hauling over the Sierras with 4 aboard plus luggage.

It appears you have specific candidates. Otherwise, you're more likely to find a '93 with heated seats and traction control, even orthopedic seats, which might not have been available in the US in '87.

Sixto
87 300D

Get the 93. There are numerous improvement.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Condition condition condition. Buy the best. They both are old used cars.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The 87 is not viewable today. The 93 owned by older gent past 7 years & cannot drive anymore . His son-n law has it to sell . Been serviced by an indy I know here in town who is not cheap & specializes in Benz's . He knows the cars well. Says only needs a front end allignment . AC everything works . New tires.. Asking $2,500 .

Grab it ? I think this would be worth $4,000 + as is ...

........

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'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Sounds like a nice car and a good price.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I'm partial to the 87... I have 4 of them. 3 wagons and a sedan. I have 2 87 190D's that have the same drivetrain as the 93, but weigh 1000lbs less... I don't see how anybody gets more than 30mpg in them. the best I've gotten from the 190 is 31.3 on a long trip. and like I said... it's 1000Lbs less vehicle... in the 190, the 2.5 turbo is amazing. I have driven the 92 300D, and it was a low mileage very nice example. it drove well, and seemed peppy. I'm SURE the 93 is easier to work on the belt and front of the motor. I KNOW the 93 has issues with the timing chain, so be SURE to inspect that before you purchase.
the 87 has a HUGE radiator that needs love and care. the 87 will need a new $400.00 vacuum pump IMMEDIATELY if it's not been changed yet. the 87 will need a new fan and fan clutch, around $150, I'd STRONGLY recommend the entire cooling system get totally cleaned and replace any weak areas, you do NOT want to run this car hot! both cars will likely need belt tensioner stuff. "front alignment needed" could mean the rubber is all worn out, and all needs to be replaced, figure 2K to do it all right. same parts on either car.

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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!

No go on that 93 300D . AC not cold . needed motor mounts - alignment - 2 tires - console glued together - 2 windows in operative - glued on air breather hose - headliner down in places. Other than these things it ran really nice - shifted well - and the exterior with a good cleaning would be good for the year - and the interior rest of it was in really nice shape -

AC deal killer ...

...

__________________
'87 924S
'81 280SEL

Sold ->

81 300SD -
93 300E w/ 3.2
85 300D-
79 300SD
82 300CD
83 300CD - CA
87 190E 5 spd
87 Porsche 924S

"..I'll take a simple "C" to "G" and feel brand new about it..."

Might be a good $1500 car.

Sixto
87 300D

If the upgrades between the 87 and 93 are anything like what Mercedes did to the W201, I highly suggest that you at least purchase the later style seats (if they are different), and probably a leather steering wheel. Also, get a car with a common color interior, I love the Middle Red interior in my 87 190D 2.5 NA automatic (which got around 33 mpg doing 80 mph, 37mpg doing 70 mph, before I had greazzer redo the tired injectors) but correct color parts are difficult to find, and I had to settle with palomino seats from the face lifted w201 (my 93 2.6 parts car). Some people with the pre-face lift W201 and W124 like to get all the face lift parts and make it look like the newer version but at least with the W201, I think the pre-face lift version looks better, more timeless (some of my friends thought it was a much more recent car than 1987).

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Current: 1975 450SEL, 83 300D, 88 Yugo GVX, 90 300D OM603 swap, 91 F150 4.6 4v swap, 93 190E Sportline LE 3.0L M104 swap, 93 190E Sportline LE Megasquirt, 03 Sprinter, 06 E500 4Matic wagon.

AC is an easy fix.

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CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Any difference in parts availability between these two cars?

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1995 E300 200k
1981 300GD unknown km