95 E300D Sure wish the car wan't so needy - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Texasgeezer · #1 06-26-2018, 04:15 PM

I had everything working after replacing and cleaning a few things.

Worked on the antenna, radio, fuel hoses & o-rings, engine oil vapor plumbing, alternator, water pump, new wiring harness for engine, window motion, rusty windshield trim, transmission shifter bushings, flex disc, new ignition tumbler assembly, and a few other things. We plan to make about a 8000 mile trip before October so hoping to have confidence the car can make it.

Only 1 & 1/2 weeks before a couple of other things started giving trouble. I call that period ' being in the eye of the hurricane '. Trouble before and now more trouble again. Headlight switch and drivers side ' auto lock of all doors ' are now failing. So I've ordered a few parts and the repair effort starts again. I was hoping I could enjoy at least a few months of trouble-free time.

Well there is some satisfaction that I don't have a needy wife or kids that never grow up and constantly need ' help '.

Just a few comments:

On a 2000 mile total trip to Kentucky and back we averaged about 32 miles per gallon and 75 mph cruise control speed most of the time. Alternator overrun pulley and changing the water pump seems to have stopped the serpentine belt from any bouncing that probably decreased the life of previous tensioner assembly and tensioner. Belt runs smooth with no apparent bouncing.

Also, a can of Seafoam added to a full tank appears to have stopped the fuel gauge from not reading properly when tank got below 1/2 tank. Must have cleaned the sending wire and sensor. Might have also been cleaned by the low bio-diesel fuel from a few stations.

We chose the E300D over the new 2017 Prius because of the ' more quiet ' ride. Extra fuel cost was minimal. It's a tossup between which is more comfortable. I'm partial to the E300D but wife chooses the Prius.

andrewjtx · #2 06-26-2018, 04:25 PM

I wish I got 32mpg... jeez.

Texasgeezer · #3 06-26-2018, 04:36 PM

Locally with the short trips mileage drops as low as 25 to the gallon. I use a pint of two stroke outboard oil and a little Power Service Diesel Kleen to each tankful of 16 gallons or more ( due to diesel fuel additives lubricity tests ).

JimFreeh · #4 06-26-2018, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by andrewjtx

I wish I got 32mpg... jeez.

When I owned a 95 E300, I was able to get 34-35 MPG routinely on the highway if I drove conservatively.

Jim

Zulfiqar · #5 06-27-2018, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimFreeh

When I owned a 95 E300, I was able to get 34-35 MPG routinely on the highway if I drove conservatively.

Jim

how could you not mash the pedal everytime to feel that torque at 3500 rpm.

tjts1 · #6 06-27-2018, 12:39 PM

Compared to most modern similarly sized sedans burning cheaper 87 octane, 32mpg highway is terrible. There's even a few SUVs that can beat that. Technology has come a long way.

andrewjtx · #7 06-27-2018, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zulfiqar

how could you not mash the pedal everytime to feel that torque at 3500 rpm.

>3500rpm is the only time you get feelings in this car...

Maxbumpo · #8 06-27-2018, 03:42 PM

Lightswitch: I had that also fail on my E300, but the switch in my '87 300TD seems to be the original.

Door lock: Wiring problem maybe? The wires in the accordion joint at the door break from the frequent bending. What are the symptoms?

Zulfiqar · #9 06-27-2018, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

Compared to most modern similarly sized sedans burning cheaper 87 octane, 32mpg highway is terrible. There's even a few SUVs that can beat that. Technology has come a long way.

but then you are driving a toaster with wheels. Most probably a toaster with a rubber band transmission.

been there done that - still preferred driving the ancient E300D or the slight upgrade E320 W210 I had.