Hi Everyone,
I am ready to join the club, I am going to purchase a diesel Merc for the winter months. I would like a few suggestions on 123 body models and what I should look for when purchasing a diesel powered Mercedes. Something turbocharged sounds good but, I would like the experianced input from the diesel owners in this forum.
Thanks!
Adam

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Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

Myself I wouldn't touch anything older than 83 as they didn't have the turbo, however instead of an 83 or 84 like I've already had I'd really like an 85. Well, this is assuming I stick with the w123 lineup. The 85 has a better rear end for highway driving, among many other upgrades that other years didn't have. What exactly will you buying this for? Daily driver?

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

I would go with a 1985 300D. Built like a tank. runs forever. Low mileage ones can be found out west (California) and donw in Florida.

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Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)

BoostnBenz,

MB first put turbos on the 300SD in 1978. How do I know, I have one. It was also the first time an S model had a Diesel engine.

Adam,

A Diesel doesn't sound like a very good choice for a winter car in Wisconson. If you are away from where you can plug in the block heater, you may have trouble starting the engine. Even though I'm a Diesel advocate, I suggest getting a gasoilne beater for the winter.

P E H

1985's are my favorite, and knowing that you have the last model year production of the 123's. The 1985 model are the only 123's we've ever had, the first one was a 300TDT Wagon which was my dad's (wish he'd never sold it), then he got a 300DT Sedan, and then I have the 300CD Coupe.

We found the Sedan and Coupe in Florida, both with low miles. The sedan my dad bought in February 2000 with 71,000 miles (Tampa). We bought the Coupe last year down in a place called Marco Island (very rich retirement type community) near naples with 93,000 miles. Both of them have been very nice cars.

The Wagon my dad bought back in 1987 in Chattanooga, TN, that was the sweetest wagon ever, Champagne Gold/Tan MB-Tex. We sold that in Summer of 2000

-Joshua

Mercedes introduced the turbo 5 cyl. diesel in the 300SD (W116) in 1978, that engine made it's way into the 300 TD (W123) in 1981. They put it in the sedan in 1982.

__________________
1999 MB SL500 (110,000 mi)
2004 Volvo V70 2.5T (220,000 mi)
2014 Tesla Model S 85 (136,000 mi)
MBCA member

Don’t forget about us NA Mercedes diesel owners here in the back seat (or third row seat); we love our pokey 240 Ds and NA 300 Ds – buy the turbo for sure, I would not want you to be unhappy with your car. The older 123 diesels are also built like tanks and run forever.

Maybe I haven't paid close enough attention but I haven't seen many turbo 82 300Ds, was that not a very common option or have I just overlooked them? Was that the last year that they were built by hand, or first year on the assembly line?

I'm going to try running mine this winter, if it gets to be to much of a pain I'll drop the whole idea and revert back to my AWD dragster. I always add my own anti-gel, if cold enough I add a little kerosene, if brutally cold I'll plug it in, and it'll be running on pure synthetic oil. I'm thinking my min, non heated temperature will be about 10*F, last winter it seemed to be about 20*F but I now have a brand new battery and better oil.

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Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

and the coupe ...

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

From my experience with Michigan winters, the best way to insure diesel cold start is synthetic engine oil. With that, if the engine has good compression, starter, and battery it should start at -35. If the car has a lot of miles and is tired the cold might be some issue. If needed, plug in a block heater and trickle charger on the batt. for 1/2 hour before morning starts.

Mickey Mouse,

A non pre-heated Diesel will start at -35*F when Pluto can fly. You're lucky if a gasoline engine will start that cold.

Man what a Mickey Mouse idea starting a non pre-heated Diesel at -35*F is.

P E H

Mickey Mouse, at -35, the problem isn't going to be the oil, it's going to be the fuel. At -35, the fuel must have a healthy quantity of antigel additives if it's to have a prayer.

BoostnBenz -

I don't think I've ever seen an '82 300D that wasn't a turbo....

(but then, I haven't seen 'em all either...)

Cheers,
Wes

WOW! Hey, Thanks for everyone's input. I think I need a little more help on model option's though. As for temprature issues, I plan on usung the car only to drive to work and back, about 90 miles a day. I can also plug in a block heater everyday at both locations. I don't know if this will solve my problem or not but plugging in is not a problem. Would it be best to run the block heater constantly or hook it up to a timer and/or temprature sensor to only power it when needed? Your comments are greatly appreciated!
Thanks,
Adam

__________________
Current Stable:
01 ML55 AMG
92 500E (a few mods)
87 300E (lots of mods)
00 Chevy 3500HD Diesel Box Truck
68 18' Donzi Marine
06 GT i-Drive7 1.0 Mountain Bike (with GPS!)

PREVIOUSLY OWNED:83 300SD, 87 420SEL, 88 420SEL, 90 420SEL, 86 560SEL, 86 190E 2.3-16V AMG, 94 E320

Adam,

If you don't want to waste a lot electrical energy, hook up a timer. Usually an hour of preheat is sufficient.

P E H