The alternator on my 1984 300D stopped putting out so I replaced it a few weeks ago with a rebuilt 120Amp Bosch unit. I believe 120A is about the largest you can get without replacing the OEM wiring. My car has always started just fine, although recently it would struggle a little bit in the morning on a cold start. This is in Southern California and I am at almost 100K miles on the last set of glow plugs. Regardless of whatever I have done, it has always been a tad sluggish on cold starts.

Anyhow, since I put in the new alternator, it now jumps on from cold. I'm impressed with just how fast it is starting. I see all of these threads about people having issues with cold starts in cold weather and I just wanted to post this because I wonder if just having a better alternator and a less drained battery would be a big help. I have also noticed the blower motor seems to put out a bit more power for the heat.


Dkr.