Another bonus for the 85 w123 is there was an optional airbag for the driver. Very rare, but out there.

My '85 W126 had the airbag AND ABS, amazing how well that relatively primitive ABS system worked in that car. I guess they got it right the first time.

generally referred to as 346 IIRC. Also the 280e had a 358 rear end. Of course the 85 turbo cars had the 288 diff.

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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 will agree, the breaks on the w126 are fantastic

__________________
2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

Strangely, the 126 cars are cheaper than the 123 cars, and typically as S-class car owner is going to take better care of his/her ride than a 123 owner. I would only look at the 126 cars unless a wagon or a coupe was desired. As already pointed out, the S-class (126) will have more standard features (like ABS and airbags) earlier than 123 cars (if you can find a 123 with those options at all). In addition, the 126 model will be quieter in the passenger compartment due to the extra bulkhead between the firewall and the engine. A friend has a decent shape no rust 126 with an OM617, can't find a serious buyer for even $2k. I think nice examples start at $2k and if you really want to spend money set your threshold at $5k and get a very nice car.

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Respectfully,
/s/
M. Dillon
'87 124.193 (300TD) "White Whale", ~392k miles, 3.5l IP fitted
'95 124.131 (E300) "Sapphire", 380k miles
'73 Balboa 20 "Sanctification"
Charleston SC

Regarding best years, I beg to differ as my preference would be the 1983 model year 300sd. They are elegantly simplified machines without the pioneering electronics that the '85 has with the emission controls and A/C as well as '85s additional vacuum components for a smoother shifting transmission.

Differential gearing can be changed relatively easily, electronic trouble shooting can be a pain. Again, my choice would be the '83 model year.

But since you brought up the w115 chassis, you have to consider a 1976 300d. Those are great classic cars also.



Regarding your JSW's high pressure fuel pump, with that high mileage and if you are considering keeping the car for long term, I suggest you install a containment filter if you haven't done so already. In event of a failure, the containment filter will keep debris from jacking up the whole fuel system and hopefully you are only replacing the pump instead of all the injectors, lines, tank as well as the pump.

My preference, I would keep the police coupe and sell the GT. Fun little Mustangs those are.


.

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1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

I so far have always preferred an W126 body as I've rode in it for 200k plus miles with my grandfather and always felt safe in her, seldomly rode in 1976 240D, she was already over 400k miles when I lived with grandparents.... but always loved how she cranks up and warms up.... but 84 300SD's engine sounds was my favorite and her ride experience. Didn't know 85 had ABS and Airbag, wow Germany were superior in technology and innovations. But then I'm not surprised.

__________________
Nicknamed as 'MJ'

Owns:
2011 VW JSW TDI, 199,000 miles of 12/3/15
2 of 1989 Mustang 5.0's.

Looking for an MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

owned:
1971 300SEL 6.3, 1973 280, 1991 300SE. 1988 Mustang LX 5.0, 1990 Mustang GT, 1991 Mustang SSP, 1992 Mustang GT, 1970 Mustang Grande 302, 1994 Volvo 940 Turbo and 1981 Volvo 240 DL. The rest are not worthy mentioning.

'83? hmmm....... are you saying '81-83 300SD are the best years to purchase? I also like the 78-80 300SD but I know they are much heavier and more underpowered. (W116 body)

Selling one of those mustang is what I've considered.... the police coupe has some rust on floor pans but has fiberglass and por15 to stop that for a good while. the GT has ZERO rust. police coupe was left for dead for almost 10 years, she had 3-4 owners since police service which was almost 10 years of service. GT was purchased from the first owner. She needs paint, 5 speed swap trans (auto is dying) and suspension then good to go. Police mustang needs same but rust... will need to replace body panels eventually after por15 fades out. Which do you suggest?

Hmm.. I've considered of mini CP3 pump... so far the results are amazing. I will take the bite after Christmas trip, praying that the pump will survive the roundtrip. (Florida to California) can't afford flying. just purchased the house on May 2014 (first time buyer) and A/C broke and had to replace twice, long story but tax write off so it's no big deal. so therefore the budget is tight. fun! here's the links below for the mini CP3 pump, I have crappy CP4 pump.

CP3 Pump Install Experiments.**Big Picts** - TDIClub Forums

CP3 HPFP on my 2010 Golf 2.0L TDI - TDIClub Forums

__________________
Nicknamed as 'MJ'

Owns:
2011 VW JSW TDI, 199,000 miles of 12/3/15
2 of 1989 Mustang 5.0's.

Looking for an MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

owned:
1971 300SEL 6.3, 1973 280, 1991 300SE. 1988 Mustang LX 5.0, 1990 Mustang GT, 1991 Mustang SSP, 1992 Mustang GT, 1970 Mustang Grande 302, 1994 Volvo 940 Turbo and 1981 Volvo 240 DL. The rest are not worthy mentioning.

'81-'83 SD would be my preference, with the '83 my choice with the higher speed speedometer (120 vs 85 mph). Although if you don't care of originality, you can swap in later. W116 SD though to me seems to handle much better.

Too bad about the rust on the police coupe, if you can put out the money and the time to repair the rust properly, it might be worth keeping. If not, than the GT is the better car to keep. Btw- if you need a GT-40 style intake, I got one I need get rid of.

I think the CP3 is a good idea, but with the emissions scandal, best get the filter kit from the same fellow in the mean time until your pump explodes.

__________________
1983 123.133 California
- GreaseCar Veg System

DeliveryValve, How do you like the 78-80 300 SD?

Anyone else can chime in for 78-80 300SD... I've noticed many of them are for sale lately, are parts plentiful such as OEM parts coming from Pelican parts?

I'm keeping an open mind here as an matter of fact, I saw an member with 1,345,000 miles 78 300SD that really impressed me. 300SD have potential to survive this long.

__________________
Nicknamed as 'MJ'

Owns:
2011 VW JSW TDI, 199,000 miles of 12/3/15
2 of 1989 Mustang 5.0's.

Looking for an MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

owned:
1971 300SEL 6.3, 1973 280, 1991 300SE. 1988 Mustang LX 5.0, 1990 Mustang GT, 1991 Mustang SSP, 1992 Mustang GT, 1970 Mustang Grande 302, 1994 Volvo 940 Turbo and 1981 Volvo 240 DL. The rest are not worthy mentioning.

Guess W126 and W116 300SD is for sure on my purchase list. many thanks everyone.

__________________
Nicknamed as 'MJ'

Owns:
2011 VW JSW TDI, 199,000 miles of 12/3/15
2 of 1989 Mustang 5.0's.

Looking for an MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

owned:
1971 300SEL 6.3, 1973 280, 1991 300SE. 1988 Mustang LX 5.0, 1990 Mustang GT, 1991 Mustang SSP, 1992 Mustang GT, 1970 Mustang Grande 302, 1994 Volvo 940 Turbo and 1981 Volvo 240 DL. The rest are not worthy mentioning.

I would avoid the w116 is I was you, the climate control alone is enough reason.... Parts availability is another, there are always scores of w126 cars being parted out and showing up in wrecking yards, very seldom do w116's show up...

__________________
2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

I'm comfortable with or without airbags and ABS. I saw a 126 in the yard that had been hit hard in the front and back. The radiator was pushed into the fan and the rear bumper was under the back glass. The rear glass had popped out and was laying intact in the seal on the trunk. (I should have bought the glass.) I needed something for the door and all 4 doors opened and closed perfectly which means that passenger compartment survived the wreck intact.

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

The 240D needs it... it's a 3200 lb car with 67 HP .

I agree with DeliveryValve that you want to avoid the 1985 emissions weirdness, especially if you are in California (I believe there are some CA-specific parts only installed in 1985s?). You can easily swap in a 2.88 and matching speedo from an '85 if you so wish (both W123 and '81-'85 W126 diffs would fit, but you would need a W126 speedo).

The main downside on the W116 from where I sit would be the evil servo climate control system that MB got from Chrysler and installed in a lot of the cars from that era (through 1980?).

As far as handling goes, gradually rebuilding the suspension system as you can afford it should really help with the handling. Even if the parts look solid, they are still 30 years old. Several members here have had impressive handling/ride quality improvements just from rebuilding the suspension or even just replacing the coils (Zulfiqar, JB3...)

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"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."

Also I cant believe I left out the part that I actually owned an 1971 300SEL 6.3 and an '73 280 (gasser) back in 1998-2000. Loved driving them but gosh GAS GUZZLERS! but fun!

6.3 was extremely fast for her size.

__________________
Nicknamed as 'MJ'

Owns:
2011 VW JSW TDI, 199,000 miles of 12/3/15
2 of 1989 Mustang 5.0's.

Looking for an MB 300SD Turbo Diesel

owned:
1971 300SEL 6.3, 1973 280, 1991 300SE. 1988 Mustang LX 5.0, 1990 Mustang GT, 1991 Mustang SSP, 1992 Mustang GT, 1970 Mustang Grande 302, 1994 Volvo 940 Turbo and 1981 Volvo 240 DL. The rest are not worthy mentioning.