Review : 300D 2.5 Turbo (1992 - W124)
 

Whoopeee, my 2 weeks old (well.. relatively) E420 just went back to the selling dealer for A/C problems. They diagnosed it as a nonworking viscous fan clutch (the compressor cuts off). They gave me a loaner car.. a 1992 300D 2.5T

Nice car!

I was initially dissapointed at the condition of the car (dirty, rear view mirror is busted, the arm rest is falling off, the A/C doesnt work..) but damn.. it's a quiet diesel.

The car shifts so much smoother than my 300CD. It's much quieter, and more powerful too! I also like the turbo hiss ;)

I like this car! Sometimes I wish I had bought an E300 Diesel instead but they're harder to find.

The brakes are not as good as the E420's but everything else feels the same. Except maybe for the malfunctioning A/C system.... :rolleyes: it's pretty hot and humid outside.

The car has 188k mi. and runs like a champ!

One question though... the water temp is 100-103*C in traffic. The aux. fan does not come on either. I'm gonna check the relays' fuses.

I bought one of these about 6 weeks ago and my initial impressions are quite positive. It's a much more comfortable (seat fits me better) and quiet (better insulation and engine encapsulation) and fuel efficient (29mpg city, 34mpg hwy) upgrade from my 84 300SD (although I do kinda miss it).

I paid $7k for a two-owner (brothers) '92 with 146k. It's pearl black with creme beige MB-Tex. All records from dealer, extremely clean. I think the only options this car has are the headlamp washers.

Of course, I am slowly getting used to the W124 chassis and the OM602 engine. I definitely prefer working on my old OM617 motor as I always felt confident when working on one. I suppose after 3 years I will feel the same about this motor. It's a bit more cramped under the hood, but not too unmanageable. I'm glad I _don't_ have an 87 300D, as that OM603 (6-cylinder) would leave even less room to work.

So far, I've done the following:

1. Cooling system: replace radiator hoses and clamps, thermostat, overflow tank cap, replace coolant. All very straightforward and accessible - no big deal.

2. Change oil and filter. Replace o-rings on oil filter housing "stem". Not much change from the SD.

3. Service transmission. Once again, very similar to the SD, except I now have belly pans to take on/off. They do keep the transmission exterior quite clean!

Soon:

1. I've ordered new rear rotors and pads, and will do that when they are delivered.

2. It gets a new timing chain next Thursday (7/3/03) and a brake fluid change. I want the serpentine belt and tensioner examined as well.

My car does run a bit hotter than I'd like in 85F weather with the AC on - it tends to hang around 95C, while in more moderate weather with no AC on it stays at a pretty steady 80C. I'm wondering if my fan clutch is on it's way out or if the electric fans aren't coming on. The replacement thermostat and cap have helped somewhat...

Also, I'm checking around for a replacement vacuum pump, as preventative maintenance. Should be easy to replace.

That's it until my next maintenance service at 150k in about 6 weeks, at the rate I'm putting on the miles.

Oh, and the Becker radio is giving me fits. I've got an intermittent channel. I've already replaced the front speakers with some nice MB Quarts that I had laying around. I'm toying with the idea of dropping a Becker 4602 in there.

Other than that it's a great car. I think I could live with this one for quite a while (the only other cars I would consider would be a 98-99 E300D or maybe a R129 300SL with a 5-speed). I don't have the $ for the W210 and the SL is impractical with the family.

I'm glad I _don't_ have an 87 300D, as that OM603 (6-cylinder) would leave even less room to work.

The '87, however, is very fast for a diesel. I'm looking forward to the NE GTG Drag Races!!!

Joe

Hmmm, I might have to zip up there for those drag races. :D

edit: this summer, before somebody gets a CDI!

My '91 300D is toast
 

Not to throw any hot water on this thread, but I was just diagnosed with a cracked piston and cylinder wall after owning the car a week......

I did like it while it lasted.

You should have at least a 30 day warratny from a dealer. There ought-a be a law!!

Joe

Private party sale. Took a chance and I got burned.

I suppose violence is out of the question...

Wisconsin is a big hunting state... if you shoot someone because you think they are a deer you are safe.... that is your story and you better stick to it.....

PS, you have to wait until Deer season or you have problems with other embarrassing questions....

Sounds like the threshold for violence is a personal matter or choice.....

The missing channel is the front/rear fader in the console, it's dirty. Some contact cleaner will usually fix it, but if not it's not that expensive. I can usually get mine to work pretty well anywhere but the center detent.

The 603 is a bit tight, but nothing like the 300 in a W115 chassis!

Peter

I am glad to see more 2.5T's comming onboard. I'm pushing 200K and am very happy so far...even though I still have an eye out for the right 98 or 99.

I have done the vast amount of work myself - mostly with help from this page and the CD and I am by no means a "mechanic." I guess I say this in support of these cars being easy to work on.

Lots of luck, Chris and Holson... resistence is futile.

I have had my 1991 300D for about a month. Other than it being harder to work on I would say it is an improvement over the 123 body. Very quiet, quite fast and better mileage than the 240D

One bad design, the air vents under the seat allow junk to get in and you can’t get the stuff out . I pulled 4 pens and a pencil out but there is still some stuff rattling around.

The steering feels a bit heavy compared to the 240D but I am getting used to it.

Here's a picture of them both [my 300CD and the 300D Loaner car]

I just got my E420 back... no more 300D 2.5T but it sure was great to drive while I had it!

http://users.rcn.com/holsonyap/anth1.jpg


http://users.rcn.com/holsonyap/anth2.jpg

psfred,

Thanks for the reminder to check the fader, I'd forgotten about that piece of $%^&*. I've got some contact cleaner and will give it a squirt later today.

I agree that we are seeing more owners of the venerable W124.128 on this site. I'm inspired by that guy http://www.mindspring.com/~houlihan/mb.htm and his 340k mile 2.5. I hope to achieve that kind of mileage. At the rate I go, it would take about 10 years.

Chris

Re: My '91 300D is toast
 

Where there any symptoms of this problem? How was it determined to be cracked piston and cylinder? What a bummer. Haven't heard of this in the 602 engine.