I have a completely serviced 1982 300d in the driveway ready to go on a 7700 mile lap of the US,and after reading all these posts..am afraid to take it.Leaving in 24 hrs. Geez..got to quit reading about these engine failures on here.And it runs like a sewing machine.

The trip is still on,the reliable family truckster with a 3800 has been awesome and is probably what we will end up driving.

Ye of little faith. I drove a W123 with over 500,000km for 8 hour trips when I was living away from home, as well as driving it to work.

__________________
1978 300D, 373,000km 617.912, 711.113 5 speed, 7.5mm superpump, HX30W turbo...many, many years in the making....
1977 280> 300D - 500,000km+ (to be sold...)
1984 240TD>300TD 121,000 miles, *gone*
1977 250 parts car
1988 Toyota Corona 2.0D *gone*
1975 FJ45>HJ45
1981 200>240D (to be sold...)
1999 Hyundai Lantra 1.6 *gone*
1980s Lansing Bagnall FOER 5.2 Forklift (the Mk2 engine hoist)
2001 Holden Rodeo 4JB1T 2WD

I know.I don't have any history with the car. And thanks to this forum ,I was able to repair all the little things. It feels very solid and reliable. I guess all those posts..burnt pistons,vac pump bearings falling in the engine ect. Made me paranoid at the last second.

Keep in mind that few if any people post on a maintenance forum unless they have a problem. Those that are simply driving and enjoying the ride don't have a reason to look for help. The view then is distorted.

The W123 with the OM617 engine is one of the auto industries success stories. They are solid and reliable. Mine has 353k miles and I would get in it tomorrow and drive anywhere. We also have a W211 Diesel but my w123 is still my preferred ride on long distance trips. Part of it may be the attention it gets but I still prefer the feeling of solid mechanical reliability.

Put a set of fuel filters and 1/8" or braided fuel return line in the trunk with tools to change and go. Add a set of hand tools if you're worried. Perhaps oil and trans fluid if you have leaks. Going 8,000 mi between wrenching is common.

__________________
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.

I used to drive the manual w124 300d all over the west coast getting 38-42mpg until I discovered the w211 wagon. Fuel economy be damned this thing is more comfortable, quieter and it hauls a lot more of our crap. The 300d is just for short trips now. I don't think I could do hours in it anymore.

__________________
CENSORED due to not family friendly words

Sometimes they blow up on the highway when you're doing 80 and are days away from home. Sometimes they blow up in your driveway. Sometimes a dumb little part destroys the whole engine. Sometimes they last hundreds of thousands of miles. What's the matter kid, don't you like clowns?

-Rog

Go visit other forums. Ford, Chevy, Lexus, you name it, they all have problems. Take the Mercedes and enjoy it.

A few things to remember with an older car:

Prepare the car by changing high failure parts before the trip start is near.

Bring a cell phone.

Keep speeds down around 55 - 60 MPH.

Check oil at every fuel stop.

Watch oil pressure frequently in case an oil line or other failure occurs.

Worst case you rent a u haul and trailer to get the car back home.

as long as flex are newer,don't worry,watch oil,and temp

__________________
1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

I have complete confidence in our 1981 240D, it would make it. Now if I took the 1994 Olds with the 3800 I would have serious doubts.

__________________
1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.

I bought my 300cd in CA, went out with a bag full of tools, and my wife and I had. A memorable trip.

How much needs to be known about the vehicle is a little bit tbd....as someone said, some run for hundreds of thousands of miles, others have a small part fail an engine. Key is to be aware of the things that you can control and adjust them.

It’s not like any vehicle with a 3800 is relatively new...

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)

You forgot the almighty Auto Club card with extended tow.

__________________
1981 240D Four on the floor, Orient Red over Parchment, bought with 154,000 but it's a daily driver and up to 180,000 miles, mostly original paint and all original interior.

55-60 is likely prudent for a 240D, but not for a turbo 300d or better.

Oil lines, if original or leaky, are one of the items that should be replaced. Whether one runs at 55 or 75, the oil lines will see extended time at temperature, which is something that many of them don’t regularly see. And a loss of an oil line, while bypassable, is one of the messier and more difficult ways for a rubber part to get you stuck.

__________________
Current Diesels:
1981 240D (73K)
1982 300CD (169k)
1985 190D (169k)
1991 350SD (113k)
1991 350SD (206k)
1991 300D (228k)
1993 300SD (291k)
1993 300D 2.5T (338k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (442k)
1996 Dodge Ram CTD (265k)

Past Diesels:
1983 300D (228K)
1985 300D (233K)