Best MB Diesel models? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Ironforger · #16 08-24-2018, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

I've owned MB diesels from 83 to 06. All have their strengths and weaknesses. The W210 (98 and 99 E300) are wonderful and can be picked up cheap...but be prepared to spend money on rust repair over the years (and the spring perches in particular are a safety concern). In the five years we've owned ours, I've probably spend $1200 solely on rust repair.

If you can spend $6-7,000, I don't see how you can do better than an 05/06 CDI (unless you need/want a car with a "retro" feel). Performance, reliability, comfort....you name it, it has it.

Don't let anyone scare you off with the SBC. It's a feature, not a flaw. Once every 200,000 miles or so the car tells you you need to replace the SBC pump. And so you do. No big deal. Better still, you rebuild both the pump and the accumulator at the same time for $430 plus labor. Hardly an expensive repair.

Great info. Last night I looked at a 98 E300d 190k miles. The guy wanted $4200. I was dissapointed. He made it sound like a cream puff but It wasn't as clean as he made it out to be. I'll keep looking for now.
How about the 04 C240? I see one cheap advertised near me, 125k miles, $2500

Did you get your 98 e300 chipped by rocketchip? I know jeff, he chipped my 99 VW beetle TDI. Cool guy. Didnt know the 98/99 e300 could be chipped. What do you think of it? Performance?

shertex · #17 08-24-2018, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironforger

Did you get your 98 e300 chipped by rocketchip? I know jeff, he chipped my 99 VW beetle TDI. Cool guy. Didnt know the 98/99 e300 could be chipped. What do you think of it? Performance?

Yes. I was very pleased with the improvement. Not dramatic, but noticeable and definitely worth it. In the case of a 98/99, he actually has to replace two chips on the ECU.

ROLLGUY · #18 08-24-2018, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

I've owned MB diesels from 83 to 06. All have their strengths and weaknesses. The W210 (98 and 99 E300) are wonderful and can be picked up cheap...but be prepared to spend money on rust repair over the years (and the spring perches in particular are a safety concern). In the five years we've owned ours, I've probably spend $1200 solely on rust repair.

If you can spend $6-7,000, I don't see how you can do better than an 05/06 CDI (unless you need/want a car with a "retro" feel). Performance, reliability, comfort....you name it, it has it.

Don't let anyone scare you off with the SBC. It's a feature, not a flaw. Once every 200,000 miles or so the car tells you you need to replace the SBC pump. And so you do. No big deal. Better still, you rebuild both the pump and the accumulator at the same time for $430 plus labor. Hardly an expensive repair.

I too have owned/driven them all- from '77-'07. As others have said, they all have strengths and weaknesses. If I were to suggest what I think is "best", it would be the car with a balance between affordability and reliability. Having owned them all, I would have to say the W210 '98-'99 E300 is the most bang for your buck. These are probably the last true DIY Diesel MB. Yes they have many electronic systems that a W123 does not have, but they may be as reliable as a car can get. Even with the known issues, they are still great cars.

However, I have personally graduated to the W211 platform (on my fifth one, have three now) and think highly of them as well. As shertex said, don't be afraid of their known issues (SBC, black death etc). If you can afford a CDI, that would be my recommendation. They are getting more affordable every day. For a long time, I thought I could not afford one, but gradually upgraded (W123-W126-W124-W210-W211). I always had at least one W123 in the stable though (and still do)......Rich

engatwork · #19 08-25-2018, 05:51 AM

With MB putting the 25 year, unlimited mileage warranty on the SBC unit now I think it is a "non-issue" to keep anyone from purchasing the 05/06 CDI.

shertex · #20 08-25-2018, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

With MB putting the 25 year, unlimited mileage warranty on the SBC unit now I think it is a "non-issue" to keep anyone from purchasing the 05/06 CDI.

Yep, that's a game changer.

I don't see the price differential between W210 and W211 as large enough to make the case for the W210. Also be aware of the fact that, in some respects, the W211 is easier to work on. Glow plugs would be an obvious example.

Blue Smoke · #21 09-07-2018, 09:59 AM

I would pick one of these two engines:
OM617: legendary longevity, iron cylinder head, the OM617 broke a lot of records in the C111
OM606: the pinnacle of indirect injection technology, also very durable, the last IDI engine before Mercedes-Benz switched to Common Rail

The OM617 was available in the W123 and W126 - both are great cars.
The OM606 was in the W124 and W210. I prefer the W124 because it doesn't corrode as quickly as the W210.

M-B Common Rail diesel cars are great too, but I'm an old-school guy and I like the simple IDI engines.

chronometers · #22 09-07-2018, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

I've owned MB diesels from 83 to 06. All have their strengths and weaknesses. The W210 (98 and 99 E300) are wonderful and can be picked up cheap...but be prepared to spend money on rust repair over the years (and the spring perches in particular are a safety concern). In the five years we've owned ours, I've probably spend $1200 solely on rust repair.

If you can spend $6-7,000, I don't see how you can do better than an 05/06 CDI (unless you need/want a car with a "retro" feel). Performance, reliability, comfort....you name it, it has it.

Don't let anyone scare you off with the SBC. It's a feature, not a flaw. Once every 200,000 miles or so the car tells you you need to replace the SBC pump. And so you do. No big deal. Better still, you rebuild both the pump and the accumulator at the same time for $430 plus labor. Hardly an expensive repair.

X2....'05 and '06 e320 CDI is probably the best all-around road vehicle me and my wife have ever driven. I've driven one over 58k miles and across the US and back several times. Excellent power, comfort and fuel mileage. They are easy to do basic maintenance on as well.

Although I have had no issues with the SBC, it is great to know most of the system is covered by MB now out to 2030.

tjts1 · #23 09-07-2018, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by engatwork

With MB putting the 25 year, unlimited mileage warranty on the SBC unit now I think it is a "non-issue" to keep anyone from purchasing the 05/06 CDI.

It doesn't cover normal wear after the cycle counter runs down zero.

Hit Man X · #24 09-08-2018, 11:53 AM

I do not care much for the W123s, I owned one. Eh. W124 Diesels are much better, 2.5s to me are a real bargain out there. Driven and fixed a few 603 ones, run nice. Just know going into it they tend to have evap issues, NOT a huge deal to me. R&R the dash is simple in the thing or just charge it up a few times a year when you change the engine oil.

W126 617 powered are decent if you put a Sanden on it and update the condenser with fan to late '84 spec or better. Otherwise, enjoy a car with garbage A/C. Powerband is pretty narrow. Common engine, pretty simple.

W126 603 are great rides. Better HVAC stuff factory, wonderful engine when dialed in correctly with a broad powerband. Long wheel base too almost always, finding a 350SD is nearly impossible. Less parts availability.

No experience with the W210 or later Diesels .

FWIW, No 2 Diesel costs more than 87 octane here...about on par with 93. If you want a W124, find a 300E or E320. 400Es are really cheap now, but parts are difficult to find if needed that are M119/W124 chassis specific. W126, a 300SE/L is a great cheap vehicle and beyond easy to keep on the road. Mine has 325k, it does not do anything perfect, nor best but does everything decently.

Just things to consider.

shertex · #25 09-08-2018, 04:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tjts1

It doesn't cover normal wear after the cycle counter runs down zero.

Why do you believe that to be the case? That's not apparent from the documentation I've read (letter to owners and internal MB document).

There's not a counter that runs down to zero...there are several counters that keep climbing. It's some combination of the actuation count and other factors that trigger the first (white) warning.

JimFreeh · #26 09-08-2018, 04:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ironforger

Hello,

I'm back for more! Back in the late 90's I owned a 1984 300D turbo diesel. What a great car. I sold it only because the back window body area had finally rusted out beyond repair. Regardless, it had 300k miles on it when I bought it, and 430k miles when I sold it. It was the most reliable car I ever had! Great fuel mileage, good power, Very few issues, all original engine and trans.

Ok since then I've been driving a 99 VW TDI

However, I'm considering looking at Mercedes diesels again.

Any good info or recommendations for the best diesel models? I'd love to get another 123 body 300d but they are very hard to find.

How are the 1st gen or 2nd gen E-class diesels? I was considering a 97 E300D but then read that they are notorious for transmission issues and rusting. Also I'd prefer to have a turbo.

Thanks!

It's really a very simple answer.
The newer, the better.

All else is subjective.

Jim