Which model year diesel engine was built to be the most durable & last the longest?
 

I was just wondering which model year MBZ diesel engine was built to be the most durable and be the longest lasting.

My vote is in for the 1980-1985 engines as they are made from cast iron and not the later-current model ones made from aluminum alloy.

What are your thoughts?

1976-1985
 

All good years. Cast iron engine, 76 and later dont have vacuum modulated automatic transmissons..... Simplicity would be a 76 240D Standard...mmmm...

240D! Hands down.

240D, Roger that ....They were MB's "work horse" for years:)

#1. 1983 240D 4 speed
#2. 1985 300D Auto

TurboDiesel, I am surprised to see you never owned a 240d.

Turbodiesel has to have a turbo of course! :)

Ken300D

Oh come on guys!! Everyone knows the 2.5 turbo is the best - specifically those made in 1992. Ha Ha...

1992 300D 2.5 Turbo, 174,000 miles

No doubt. I agree with that. I owned one. One of the best cars I've ever owned. Got my monies worth out of it. Just like that little '88 Toyota Celica ST 5spd I owned.

But what about the 190D-2.2 with a 5spd? I think that it may be a good contender against the 240D.

My nod will have to go to the 617.952 block 300 motor. Its extreemly robust for a turbo engine, I've seen cars go past 500k. With its reinforced lower end, and oil injectors, my vote goes to the 300 over the 240.

240D
 

Althought I have a 1977 300D, which is bulletproof, I think the 240D 4-cyl is an amazing piece of machinery.

My Dad knew a guy who ran a taxi fleet in Stamford, CT. They dropped 4 cyl MB diesels/manual tranny's in late model cars and ran the living daylights out of them. The running plan was, when they ran down 4 late model cars, with the same 4 cyl diesel moving from car to car, it was time to can the motor.

4 US late models run into the ground, same engine, not a bad reliability test.

JCD