Your older diesel is producing more emissions than a new one, simple.

However your old diesel is also not creating any "carbon footprint" at the production level, IIRC a large percentage of the carbon footprint of a vehicle is present before it ever is filled with fuel.

"Electric / plug-in" cars are powered by coal, at least most are plugged into the grid.

We emit CO2 (a greenhouse gas) when we breathe, eliminate your lunchtime exercise to reduce your greenhouse gas emissions and thus your carbon footprint.

For many of us, having an older diesel car is a hobby, a curiosity. A classic car. For others, it is economic, bought it cheap and it's cheap to run and maintain. Both of these groups are not considering buying a new car, not even a new diesel Mercedes. If it weren't an old Mercedes diesel it would be an old what? I like Land Rover Defenders, ... although low on the production carbon footprint it certainly isn't great for the air. On the other hand, I work hard on driving efficiently, buy products that are environmentally friendly (actually research it, don't go by the label), and try to conserve/recycle. I have neighbors with a "hybrid" Escalade, ... give me a break. I also buy my cars and drive them for many years and miles, maximizing the useful life of a properly maintained vehicle does a lot for the environment vs. buying new and throwing away constantly.

My hobby car is an '87 diesel, updated to inclined-injection (better emissions), afterglow (better emissions), higher injection rate pump (better emissions), well maintained, low-rolling resistance tires, usually driven gently (with the occasional matted throttle for fun), synthetic fluids and low-friction additives throughout. With my modifications I get better fuel mileage than it did new, and by the book it should be pretty good on emissions. Not as good as a new bluetech, but that wasn't an option at the time.

Everyone makes their choices. I'm sure that there are cars on here that can smoke like a modified Dodge Ram, others that are in need of much tuneup and repair, but most of us are rolling along happily in our classic Benzes without much impact to the environment in new car production nor in emissions, even though there are cleaner running vehicles. If you drive your older Mercedes diesel daily, and would like to move to a cleaner burning vehicle it is your choice. You can also work on making your car cleaner, check injection timing, fix any fluid leaks, drive gingerly, buy low rolling resistance tires and be sure that you don't have a dragging brake, car-pool, buy products without wasteful packaging, ...

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff