An n00b member needing advices - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

calimustang · #1 12-02-2015, 08:51 AM

Hello all,

I am a new member here and residing from central Florida... I was born and raised in California and I grew up with Grandfather who had 1976 240D that ran flawlessly to 450k plus miles and 84 300SD up to 255k and he passed away and was supposed to be given to me but i was 15 in 1995 and his "evil" daughter manipulated him while he was terminally ill and signed the car to her and changed the will which was originally destinated the car to me. I was beyond devasted. Anyway to the point... I am actively seeking for one to obtain and enjoy and restore and rack the miles out of it.

Right now I have an 2011 VW Jetta Sportwagen TDI. She is a great car as she is racking up to 199,800 miles as of right now.... but never can replace the famous W126 body and its diesel rumbling and clacking sounds.

What is the best W126 to obtain? Year? Etc what to look out and what to avoid.

I enjoy cars, i own 2 of 1989 ford Mustang 5.0's. One is a police package coupe which is quite fast and an GT. Slowly restoring them.

R-3350 · #2 12-02-2015, 09:22 AM

depends on what your looking for. the first gen 300SD with the 617 will not be fast but it has character also probably the most reliable with regular care. the second gen 300SDL has more power and a tad bit better fuel economy with the 603. but the early ones with the #14 head have the cracking issue. that being said there also slightly larger. the 603 is a perfectly good motor especially if you can get something like a #20, or 22 head. the #14 doesn't always crack its just prone to it especially if you overheat it but the 603 has a much higher potential for power than the 617. personally i like 617s they have a lot of character to them. getting power out of one is a fun exercise in engineering your own stuff. all that being said i haven't owned either but i have put some time working on and driving some for a friend and they were both fun to drive and quite comfortable.

Maxbumpo · #3 12-02-2015, 09:25 AM

'81 up to '85 have the OM617A engine, which is nearly indestructible if treated reasonably well.

'86 and up have the straight six OM603A engine, two variations, both more fragile* than the five-cylinder OM617A but both more powerful and smoother and quieter.

*The early OM603 engines, 3.0 liters, have aluminum heads which were subject to cracking. The later 3.5 liter engines have weak connecting rods and are subject to wearing an oval in the block. The failure rates are in the low teens (percentage wise) but none-the-less should be taken into consideration. If you can buy an example with either an upgraded head (casting number of 17 or higher) or a factory replacement "crate" engine (documentation usually required to prove this) then you are "good to go".

jabstick420 · #4 12-02-2015, 01:52 PM

my vote would be:
-w123 sedan, since coupe parts are harder to source(especially trim/interior)
-om617 turbo
-preferably euro version, probably a stretch but possible

ollo · #5 12-03-2015, 10:35 AM

I would look for the following:
80-85 W123 turbodiesel (or NA if you are OK with "Grampa Car" performance), 81-85 W126 turbodiesel, or 79-80 W116 turbodiesel but they can have climate control problems.
As always, best possible condition with maintenance records.
Don

dude99 · #6 12-03-2015, 10:44 AM

I would specifically look for a 1985 model of either the w126 or w123. These will still have the look, feel and sound of your grandfathers cars, but with a series of updates that occurred only in the 1985 model year. The big ones being a higher stall speed torque converter, and the much coveted 2.88 rear end which makes highway cruising a much more palatable experience. The 1985 w126+ also came with ABS as standard equipment I think, and the w123 may have as well, but not sure about that.

calimustang · #7 12-03-2015, 10:44 AM

Awesome! Thank you everyone for the 2 cents advices. I truly appreciate it.

Also once purchased, whatever it needs such as weather stripping, glow plugs, brakes, shocks and gaskets, what stores do you guys recommend for me to buy from and what to AVOID? I dont want to buy chinese made crap. I prefer OEM as possible. I keep all OEM parts on my VW TDI. I am aware that those Benzs are over 30-45 years old hence wear and tear and their age....

What brand should I get and what brand to avoid also? I know benz parts are mostly bosch.

R-3350 · #8 12-03-2015, 10:49 AM

this site is quite good for just about any basic parts you would need for maintenance that being said avoid anything made by URO. the only part i have used by them is the air cleaner shock mounts i bought 6 of them figuring they would fail quickly and sure enough already killed two in 6 months.

calimustang · #9 12-03-2015, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude99

I would specifically look for a 1985 model of either the w126 or w123. These will still have the look, feel and sound of your grandfathers cars, but with a series of updates that occurred only in the 1985 model year. The big ones being a higher stall speed torque converter, and the much coveted 2.88 rear end which makes highway cruising a much more palatable experience. The 1985 w126+ also came with ABS as standard equipment I think, and the w123 may have as well, but not sure about that.

Wow good info! What gear did older benzs have before the 85?

R-3350 · #10 12-03-2015, 10:55 AM

there were various but the most common was the 3.07 which was in all the diesels except the 240D had a 3.69

calimustang · #11 12-03-2015, 11:00 AM

Wow 3.69? Thats going to rev the motor more and wear it out quicker.

jabstick420 · #12 12-03-2015, 11:54 AM

I would avoid meyle also.

lemforder has lots of parts for the w123. made in Europe.

lots of stuff can be acquired from the dealer and they usually will try to price match so you'll be able to negotiate a little bit.

weatherstripping is expensive if you buy MB. and aftermarket stuff may not be a good fit. so you may want to find a vehicle that has good weatherstripping because I've heard replacing it is very time consuming.

and of course pelican has most of the aftermarket stuff in stock. oem parts sometimes take a while.

happy hunting!

dude99 · #13 12-03-2015, 12:56 PM

Quote:

there were various but the most common was the 3.07 which was in all the diesels except the 240D had a 3.69

and the non turbo 300D's (pre-1982) had a 3.47 rear end I believe

Junkman · #14 12-03-2015, 03:15 PM

You should buy the best example of either a 126 or 123 preferably 81-85 that you can find. All of the little things that need to be repaired will add up the dollars.

Even buying at $500 can turn to multiple thousands in parts only. I prefer a car with original paint to know that it doesn't have a quick scuff & shoot. Get one with as little rust as possible.

Perhaps get a wagon if you like it in the TDI. I just bought a 2012 TDI wagon with 50,000 mi to have something that will only need maintenance and not entire systems refurbished.

calimustang · #15 12-03-2015, 03:22 PM

How do you like your TDI? My 2011 JSW TDI is about to turn into 200k miles this week or next week. The HPFP issue scares me a bit but otherwise she has been truly good to me.

Thank you so much for the advices. That really helps a lot and I am very motivated. Been considering to sell one of 2 mustangs to make funds and room in my garage for an M/B diesel ....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Junkman

You should buy the best example of either a 126 or 123 preferably 81-85 that you can find. All of the little things that need to be repaired will add up the dollars.

Even buying at $500 can turn to multiple thousands in parts only. I prefer a car with original paint to know that it doesn't have a quick scuff & shoot. Get one with as little rust as possible.

Perhaps get a wagon if you like it in the TDI. I just bought a 2012 TDI wagon with 50,000 mi to have something that will only need maintenance and not entire systems refurbished.