I have to say that of all the cars I have owned in 40+ years of driving, none have better brakes than the Mercedes-Benz cars I have driven. Several times I have had to use the brakes more aggressively than usual (although not as much as the OP), and I was very happy with their performance. I am sure that in any other non-ABS equipped car, the OP would have had a collision with the other car. X2 about the card to Deutschland

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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

Being able to lock all 4 wheels is a good thing. If you don't believe that, try stopping after a brake failure on a roadrace machine.

I'm not convinced that antilock brakes stop your vehicle better than traditional brakes. In poor weather I have been in conditions where oneside has been on ice and the anti lock kicked in effectively turning off the brake to the side with traction. At least the car will slide into the obstacle straight.

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85 Merc 300D - Unwinding 31 years of wear
86 VW TD
Mahindra Diesel
Iseki Diesel

In 2007 I didn't own a diesel.

Getting back on topic of "check your brakes", I got my car in late January and it was a low mileage car in excellent condition. Anyway, a month or so ago I decided to rotate the tires and change the brake fluid at the same time. Found right rear and left front calipers were totally inoperable! I had no panic stops and had not been very diligent about checking things out because I bought it from a family friend who is an MB enthusiast. So, check your brakes!

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Baton Rouge, LA
1977 300D Non-Turbo

Brakes are definitely the first thing I check when I bring a W123 home.

I have yet to find one that doesn't have old, dark fluid and cracked/leaking rubber hoses.

My routine these days is to replace the hoses and fluid right away whenever I have a new one in my driveway.

Pads and rotors have usually been OK on the cars I've purchased. They seem to get more attention than the fluid and hoses...

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1979 300D 040 Black on Black - 1985 300D Maaco job (sadly sprayed over 199 Black Pearl Metallic) on Palamino

http://i.imgur.com/LslW733.jpg

The Baja Arizona Oil Burners Send a message if you'd like to join the fun
Left to Right - UberWasser, Iridium, Stuttgart-->Seattle,, mannys9130

Visit the W123 page on iFixit for over 70 helpful DIY guides!

Uberwasser, SO TRUE...and a great philosophy....

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/10414-help-i-need-check-stretch.html

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/156207-photo-step-step-post-showing-w123-evaporator-removal-1983-240d-1982-300td.html?highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html