VW TDI vs. W123 - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Lance Allison · #46 09-22-2003, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by KylePavao
And drive it for 300,000 miles. Then report how great it is. If you want a car that gets good mileage and you can throw away at 200K, get a Honda. The reason we have the W123's and the old MB diesels in general is because we take pride in driving them for 300K, and actually enjoy it. It is a classic that will easily outlast many new cars.
Safety I guess is a factor, but compare a W123 to the Volvo 240 series everyone brags is so safe...the W123 is head and shoulders above.

I have a 98 VW Jetta TDI bought new that is pushing 250k miles now. The car is still very solid and tight. I don't have any squeaks or rattles to speak of, everything works as new (it runs better now then when it WAS newer). It has been trouble-free. Seriously, aside from regular maintainance and needing a new, stronger clutch after bumping up the power 50% above stock output, nothing at all has been a problem. My TDI has all the bells and whistles that usually break. No ABS or sunroof problems, no keyless entry problems, none of that.

I simply change the oil at 7500 mile intervals with Delvac1 and keep the brake and trans fluid looking good. I have no doubt I'll get another 100k miles out of this car without any major issues.

lietuviai · #47 09-22-2003, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Rick Miley
Nearly every afternoon in the summer, I have to drive home through rush hour, in the rain, dodging idiotic drivers the whole way. In these conditions, antilock brakes are a godsend, and they're the only safety item I really miss on the 240D.

Ditto on the antilock brakes! That's one thing I would really like to see on my '85 300D. On wet pavement, the 4 wheel disc brakes just love to lock up on hard braking. About 4 months ago, I had an idiot pull out in front of me while I was doing about 45 MPH one morning when I was going to work. I had to mash hard on the brakes to avoid hitting that driver. The brakes locked up and the car started swerving violently in every direction and almost landed me into a ditch. If I didn't have 20+ years of driving experience I would have certainly landed wheels up in that ditch. I didn't need any coffee that day! That was the first emergency maneuver that I did with that car. I think next time I'll just take my chances on making impact with the other car!

gsxr · #48 09-22-2003, 08:56 PM

In Europe, W123's had ABS optional. I suppose an enterprising individual could get the parts to retrofit that to a US version. But it would be a zillion times easier to just pick up a nice W124 with ABS and SRS, now that they're down in the $3-$5k range...

lietuviai · #49 09-22-2003, 09:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gsxr
In Europe, W123's had ABS optional. I suppose an enterprising individual could get the parts to retrofit that to a US version. But it would be a zillion times easier to just pick up a nice W124 with ABS and SRS, now that they're down in the $3-$5k range...

Perhaps that would be the easy route but I have been in a W124 and they seemed a bit cramped in comparison to the W123. The W124's don't seem to have enough leg room for me in the front seats even with the seat all the way back. My '85 300D has more than enough leg room with it's multi-adjustable seats that I don't even have to put the seat all the way back and I'm 6'-2".

gsxr · #50 09-22-2003, 09:14 PM

Really! Wow. My BIL is about 6'2", and he fits OK, but yeah I can see that being a little tight. Guess you may need to move up to the S-class. Everything from 1986-up has both ABS and SRS standard (I think it was optional in 84 or 85). Plenty of room in that W126 chassis...

lietuviai · #51 09-22-2003, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by gsxr
Really! Wow. My BIL is about 6'2", and he fits OK, but yeah I can see that being a little tight. Guess you may need to move up to the S-class. Everything from 1986-up has both ABS and SRS standard (I think it was optional in 84 or 85). Plenty of room in that W126 chassis...

I've thought about an S class but for now my 300D will have to make do. I even looked into the SD's when I was looking at the 300D's , but at the time I didn't want to spend the extra $2K or so. The 300D is just the right size to get around town.

#52 09-23-2003, 02:20 AM

I had the chance to drive a '03 Golf TDI manual the other day and currently own a '83 300D with 227K. I have read throught all of the comments on this discussion and there are many valid points. The TDI was smooth and quiet for a diesel, and it had pep not power though. Standing start acceleration was good, passing not as good. After the new car excitement wore off, i simply didnt like the cheap interior feel, the seat WAS NOT as comfortable as my springed M-B seat. But generally i felt the car was too small for me and hated those rear headrests blocking my rearview vision. I was impressed overall but not enough for me to trade my M-B in for it.
I understand you can't really compare a $31K 20 yr old car to a new $20 car, but i would get tired of the VW after about 6 yrs. It felt cheap, great engine, but marginal car. I would have to say that each day it seems I love my M-B more, it trully is one of the only over-engineered cars around today.