Better purchase-- 84 300sd Vs. 05 e320cdi
 

Any opinions-

I am looking to add a diesel-

Both cars are in top shape... around 65k miles

Both asking around $13k

Which one is the "better buy" cost wise?
And which one will be cheaper overall-- assuming I run as DD for next 160k miles over several years... and will ONLY do basic repairs- so Local indy will be making some coin

Personally - love the look of the 84.... BUT- the 05 is way faster/ and 20 years newer...

also- I think the Longer WB - 84 sd- drives nicer-imo

If you look at my signature you can guess my vote.

Even though the miles are low on the CDI, that price strikes me as high. I purchased a perfect condition CDI with 140,000 miles a year and a half ago for $4000.

My two cents: the CDI is over-priced but a reasonably priced one would serve as a better DD than a W126... unless you want a project as your daily. Even the best examples of the W126 are 30 years old at this point and many bits and bobs would need to replaced due to age... these will make themselves apparent as you put more miles on the car, no big deal if you can do most things yourself but it will quickly add up if not. The newer car will be much less involved... and that seems to be what you're going for. Not to mention the safety aspect.

Is this a troll post? Didn't we go through this whole thing with you at the end of last year? Didn't you already buy a E320CDI? $13K sounds high for both cars unless they have a stack of very detailed maintenance records, in showroom condition, with proof that the suspensions have been rebuilt in the last 5 years or so. Rubber parts age out and need refreshed, low miles doesn't mean squat about the suspension condition.

Sure looks that way. Strange.
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/401875-84-300sd-great-condition-worth-%2412k.html
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/403229-my-new-2005-e320-cdi-intermittent-loss-power-acceleration.html

That's an insane price for either one. Don't buy a w126 if you aren't going to repair it yourself, most shops don't like to work on them and they aren't a good enough car to pay $200+ an hour labor for everything.

I did buy a e320cdi

I love the torque! Love the Power/acceleration. Feels like it can go 300k easy

I do think that engine will be great moving forward...

BUT- some here suggested that the e320 was more comfortable w/ modern improvements and engineering/etc... My Opinion-- Is that 300sd is way sweeter to drive down the highway... (Then again- I was 20 years younger- so that may be the REAL difference- bad back/hip/arthritis/etc. since)... Never drove 300sdl-- hear that is even more pleasant to drive?

Not trolling- Yes- I know rubber will wear out... NOT opposed to local cheaper indys doing it... fear is some of the wiring/ major Motor/trans failure on the 300sd... due to AGE -- killing me.

So why didn't you ask the question that way? Easy enough to answer, find a forum member here in your area with a restored W126 (any of them, they'll all ride about the same) and go for a ride. I think you'll find that your W211 is better on the highway in just about every regard (and this coming from a die-hard W126 fan). You already have the CDI, why looking to blow more money?

A well sorted out 300SDLis a lot of fun… Not cheap to maintain… But a lot of fun to drive down the road.

Unless the suspension, steering, and alignment on a W123/W126 are PERFECT, it will wander around on the freeway. Modern vehicles with modern steering and suspension are much less likely and the suspensions are easier to maintain. W211 is vastly ahead of the W126 in essentially all regards.

W126 is a great car, but likely past its prime as a viable daily driver in most cases, unless you like doing a lot of maintenance often. I finally sold off my last W126 about 1.5 years ago after having it for 7 years. It was a good car (420SEL) but I couldn't subject it to Michigan winters without rust destroying it so I ended up going for a more capable/efficient vehicle that can handle the winter. Also wanted to go back to a diesel.

I miss my 300SD but those are even older and there's always something annoying wrong with the rest of the car.....rust, water leaks, suspension, steering, vacuum system, AC, climate control, worn interior........etc. Plus there's the whole winter/rust/snow capability issue again.

It doesn't make sense to compare 2 cars 21 years apart. The 2005 CDI is years ahead, literally, in every aspects. However, the CDI is way too complicated for my liking. The car I really prefer is the W124 1987 300D, very contemporary looking and easy to maintain. But I like all my cars, period.

If you plan on running it into the ground, get the newer car. The W126 will much more valuable in a few years if preserved in cared for condition.

Anything made after the mid 90's will be scrapped and worthless by then.

w126 built better,no sensors,computer to worry about.EMP proof. Just replace all rubber stuff,redo trans with updated parts,and drive thru wheel bearing high used motor oil to under coat. a diesel with electronics is not a diesel

X2, I have not driven a W126 in winter but if anything like a W123 or W124 they suck in 6" or greater snow. I do live in a rural area so the county roads are never plowed before 6am. My guess, but never owned a W211 would be the 2005.

Forget the snow (it never snows here), but just fog on a cool morning is enough to make my 350SD just about undriveable with its tail-happiness. Everything is fine until that turbo spools, I don't care how carefully you drive it, in wet conditions there's always going to be a "hip wiggle" when making a right turn and merging onto a main road. I'm no fan of "traction control" or "AWD" but that car needs something!

loved my w126 in snow,a snowmobile

Well- that's another thought...

E300 diesel w124 body.
How come every time I see one for sale those drivers seats look to be in GREAT shape... both cosmetically and Springs?

Is that seat made that much differently versus early 80' 300sd?
MOST of those seat (springs/sag included--look like trash)

why is that? Is that w124 as smooth riding as SD or 05/e320cdi?

I think MB stoped using Horse Hair stuffing with the W124. Horse Hair breaks down over time....hence the sagging.

How about a nice 87 SDL that is modified for less than half that price?

I am selling mine soon.

I can't say when because I bought an 05 CDI and am waiting on the secretary of state to process my plates

I certainly wouldn't call a w126 a snow mobile but on the flip side I have never had an issue with traction in rain or even light snow. Make sure you have tires that have good ratings in wet and snow and you'll be fine. "Good tires" doesn't always equate to big brand or high $$ either.

Part of that is how firmly the transmission shifts, and the other side of it is the smaller tires than modern cars have, and what quality/type of tires. My 300SD was horrible in the rain until I got better tires (Michelin) then it was MUCH better behaved, it was acceptable in the snow with a full set of snow tires, but if the going got bad with deep snow or icy slush/hill etc you'd be out of commission fast.

Meanwhile my GLK can plod along through a foot of snow effortlessly. I tried to get it stuck last winter with a few experiments and it always managed its way out. :D

Yes, the youngest of those would be 35 years old and with the exception of rust (the definitive deal breaker and yes w126 not the ideal rust belt DD) redoing all the items you list would be $2000 in parts tops after which you'd be good for another 35 years or as long as your engine/trans hold up.

You cannot fully re-do everything on a 300SD for $2000, not even remotely close. Then there's the part where half the important parts are not even available anymore, and those that are, often are china junk and not original quality. Try rebuilding a 722.3 trans, finding a flawless working rear window glass, or rebuilding the climate control unit + accompanying system. $$$$$ And thats the tip of the iceberg. I owned one for 12+ years and 120k+ miles and while a very reliable car overall, it still cost many thousands to keep going during that time frame along with hundreds of hours of work....which all ended when the rust finally destroyed it here in MI.

I have been doing some work recently on my dad's 500SL, a 2001, and have had a VERY hard time finding OEM of several parts, including the basics like engine mounts!! They either don't exist or cost a fortune.....its planned obsolescence.

Just the suspension alone costs over $2k to do everything they usually need...

I agree. You're looking at $5-7000 at a minimum for a pristine, mechanically restored car (Assuming the powertrain is without issue). That said, you'll make back every penny you put into the car and more in appreciation over the next decade. I cannot say the same for the W211. That said, I'd still recommend getting the newer car for running into the ground as a commuter.

You can buy an 05 E320 gasser or E500 for $3-4k. The $10,000 CDI premium can buy a lot of gas. I paid $3k for my 04 E320 wagon. My friend paid $4k for his 05 E500 with 100k miles. $13k for a CDI is stupid regardless of mileage.
https://i.imgur.com/T8ThkBA_d.jpg
Also please be aware that with the right equipment and know how the W211 odometer can be rolled back.

Being a Diesel guy, and having had three 211 Diesels, I bought an '04 211 wagon and am loving it. Yes I wish it were a Diesel, but it has been very reliable and is nice to drive. The wagon is more utilitarian than the sedan, so I don't mind it being a gasser. I only spent $4,000 for a very well cared for example.