Second Benz, but first diesel.

I recently bought an 85300CD with 160,000 miles for my 200-mile commute to work. Don't worry, I don't do it daily. I can get killer fuel economy if I drive it slowly, but I hate driving slowly.

The engine in this car seems to be very very happy at 80. Sure its loud, but the car seems happy as hell and handles great at this speed.

Noticing that there is no red line on the tach leads me to wonder just how hard you guys wail on your cars?

Cars with the 617 don't really gain much by revving them high, they are meant to push. As for my little 190D 2.2.....sometimes I have to take that one to the governor just to get merged into traffic With 72hp each one needs to be doing its part!

I will say that I performed all necessary maintenance to make sure its in good shape. New modern vacuum pump, new timing chain, new hydraulic lifter elements, and new belt tensioner, belt and pulleys...runs perfectly with 280k+ miles on it.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

No red line but there is a governor.

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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.

Top speed is factory rated at like 107 MPH or something... I do 80 in my 240D all the time, and it has a much lower rear end (3.69) than yours (2.88). The car does feel great at 80.

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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."

According to Mercedes Benz, 240D top speed is 85 mph. Mine can go a few mph above that but don't know accuracy of speedometer. Don

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John 5:25

have put almost 100K on mine driving an average of 75 mph back and forth to work everyday. Sometimes up to 80 but car runs like clock at 75 so I keep it around there. No idea what it was driven like the first 200K...

Mine is turboed... so it feels more comfortable at 80 than your average NA.

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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."

Diesel engines are used in large generators because of their affinity for running at constant high RPM, high load without issue. As long as you maintain it (in particular regular oil changes and maintaining a working cooling system) the engine will be just fine.

Running at higher speeds may be harder on other drive train components (high trans temps for example).

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

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My OM606 DOHC engine is a bit more rev-happy than the OM617, but I still have it around 80-85MPH for a LOOOOONG time quite often, it really loves it. I find my MPG's are best around 80mph as the car really is in the "sweet spot" in the power band and just glides with no effort, even up hill. At 60 it can be a little more lumpy, it really seems to prefer being above 70mph and around 3k RPM.

So in other words, you're good. My 617 had the same treatment, ran like a top when I sold it off at 300k. One somewhat cautionary note, just keep a closer eye on oil consumption with lots of sustained higher RPM driving, it can increase it in some engines, but I never had a problem in either.

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1995 E300 Diesel
~300k

The race engine fell on it's face about 4500-4700 - it seemed to vary a bit. However, with the new pump (I just installed a Dieselmeken Injection pump) it easily runs up to 5300 or so.

No clue on fuel economy but I could race all day on one 2 gallon tank full (probably 5 miles or so at WOR). I expect the new pump to be thirstier.

Dan

Great info and pretty much what I expected.

I just hate driving 65 on an empty interstate.

The car LOAFS at 50 and is very quiet. I suspect with an unlimited supply of fuel the engine would run for years at that speed. Many thanks, gents. 70-80 it is. Mileage be damned.

In most fast lanes going cross country at 85 mph is an acceptable speed ,occasionally youll get the speedster who hovers in the mid 90s with a small pack following close behind ,these are interstate drivers trying to quicken a long commute.In the inner city on the highways I mostly stay below 70 mph ,I just dont rush with the fastlane anymore ,no need to look for speed when time is not an issue in getting somewhere ,I just leave earlier.These cars will take a flogging but the 1/2 shafts tend to wear quicker at higher speeds is my experience.

Wow, you all are gonna pass me up- I'm the grey hair in the nice looking yellow '82 240d, it seems 'wound up' above 60 so I keep it under that. Seldom get tailgaters with stinkerbell..

When I had a rural commute 35 miles each way, about half of it was at 70-80 in my 240D, it felt really good at that speed. Same going up to toronto. Not quiet though.

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All things are burning, know this and be released.

82 Benz 240 D, Kuan Yin
12 Ford Escape 4wd

You're four times

It's hard to

more likely to

concentrate on

have an accident

two things

when you're on

at the same time.

a cell phone.

www.kiva.org It's not like there's anything wrong with feeling good, is there?