MB Diesel Cars Are Any Better? - Page 4 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

#46 05-26-2000, 03:45 PM

Joel,

This may get lost in the volume of replies on this particular topic, and I can't speak for all diesel benz cars, but a diesel in Vancouver will be no problem.

I drive a 1978 240D and would recommend one to anyone. The car passed the aircare with no problems, I drove it all winter and it is solid as a rock. If winter in Canada worries you, here in the lower mainland it isn't a concern. I just finished a 2000 km trip in three days (out to Jasper and back) with absolutely no problems. (And that included a trip over the Coquihalla, sorry to the non-B.C. people who that means nothing to)

In fact on the way back in to town I reached 350,000 km on the odometer while doing about 120 Km/Hr.

Would recommend one highly, though make sure you get it tested by a reputable shop. Especially the compression. I can recommend a shop, but it is right in downtown Vancouver, which may be of no use to you.

As to other diesel benz's, you will have to rely on the others input, but for less than $3,000 Cdn I am driving a solid reliable car that is a joy to get into the curves. (Once you have some momentum)

[This message has been edited by BCBenz (edited 05-26-2000).]

joel · #47 05-26-2000, 10:35 PM

thanks BCBenz for your input. which shop in downtown Vancouver are you referring to? i'm in Vancouver everyday.

#48 05-27-2000, 04:44 PM

Joel,

I tried to post my answer this morning but it does not seem to have shown up on the board.

Anyway, the shop I go to is AutoMax which in the 700 block of Beach, under the Granville Street Bridge. It was recommended to me by a couple of long time Benz owners and I have had no problems with them. I think the pre-purchase inspection cost $45 or so.

whunter · #49 01-22-2006, 10:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joel

1. what are the strengths and weaknesses
of diesel cars?
2. what is best year and model?

thanks for all your info.

Did you buy one?
What is your opinion now?

joel · #50 01-23-2006, 01:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by whunter

Did you buy one?
What is your opinion now?

No, I did not. My daughter and I opted for a gas car.
I found a nice 85 300E turbo diesel and was allowed to keep it for two days. I like the drive but the biggest handicaft to me was the start up time required for diesel engines.

pawoSD · #51 01-23-2006, 02:44 AM

Startup time? 90% of the time I can start up my SD and drive away within 5-10 seconds. On cold days I generally sit for a couple mins at high idle though, just to let the oil get going and everything ok to put load/rev on it. I'd even do this with a gas car....I'd wait a couple mins in the cold at idle...

233,602 miles and counting!

I'll admit I would like a 300E or 500E, or perhaps a gas 126 or SL, those are all cool cars.

(but only in addition to some diesels, I could never be just a gas car driver, not even remotely.)

RobTheMod · #52 01-24-2006, 01:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Larry Delor

The W123 chassis is pretty much built like a brick outhouse...basic in function, practical in design, and superior longevity.
From what I have seen, the 240's will last a little longer than the 300's, but after 300k+...who's counting? I'd say that after that, it becomes a competition to see who can get the most miles out of their engine. The highest mile engines that I have heard about so far are Larry Bible's at 516k and another guys 240 on a yahoo message board who claims 716k.
For those wishing to have some acceleration (handy for getting one the expressway) the 300D with a turbo comes immediately to mind. You may have seen my posts about my stupid flywheel wanting to leave...this is a freak happening, don't let it discourage you.
I have, and still do, think about the W126's (as long its a 5cyl), the only thing that makes me hesitant, is all of the extra "toys" and gadgets that are most likely not as cheap to fix as comparable items on a 123. If the 'right' 126 comes along though, I'll probably jump on it, er..in it, and continue my ongoing addiction t MB diesels.
As far as the fuel, Dielel can be found by any truck stop, and if you shop around (like I do) you can find it usually cheaper than gas. Personally I have found that different counties have different amounts of taxes on differnt types of fuel. Knowing this I can time my purchases for when I am in the next county south and buy diesel for 14¢ a gallon less. ($1.45)
ok ok ...so I am a Dieselhead

...and the posts roll on...

------------------
03/83 300D
07/73 280

Not to derail, but looking over the cars carefully, and speaking as a 126 diesel partisan, comparing a 1982 300D-t to a 1982 300SD, please list the extra gadgetry of a 126 which will cause worse reliability.

My list:
Power seats.

I don't see any other extras on the 300SD which are not present on the 300D.

Actually, I was comparing my 1981 to my friend's '84 300D, but I wanted to make the years the same.

I'm not trying to be antagonistic, I just love my 126 300SD and wouldn't want anyone else to steer clear of this great car because of perceived complication.

SDLs are another matter... but SDs are definitely 126 diesels, so I think it's a fair point to make.

#53 01-24-2006, 09:21 AM

Be careful not to generalize when comparing the 300SD to 123 cars. The 126diesels are all pretty similar in the complexity category, while the 123 cars vary WIDELY in this category.

The 123 spans all the way from a stick shift, four cylinder manual everything to a turbo five cylinder with power everything.

If you are comparing a late 123 turbo car to a 300SD the complexity is similar. The 300SD can be more challenging to work on, but these two cars are MUCH closer in complexity than would be a manual 240D to a diesel 126.

Have a great day,

Hatterasguy · #54 01-24-2006, 12:22 PM

The later W126's have a more complex sunroof system. Its that tilt feature that makes it complicated.

Still they are a cake walk to work on.

#55 02-04-2006, 07:02 PM

My wife and I lost our '85 SD to the New Year flood here in northern California. We've been looking for a replacement but those are big shoes to fill. Today, I ran across an ad for an '86 SDL that claims to be a "one-owner" car with all service records. The pictures look good and the asking price is $7000. Since it's on a lot, I doubt I'll be able to get it to my mechanic for his blessings, so can I ask if there is anything in particular to watch out for on these cars? I see lots of posts from people with '87s, and I'm always leery of the first year a new engine gets put out there. Are the '86 six-cylinder 300s OK? Thanks to all who have been contributing to this thread for so many years...

biopete · #56 02-04-2006, 08:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joel

1. what are the strengths and weaknesses
of diesel cars?
2. what is best year and model?

thanks for all your info.

I 'll touch on the "any better" part of the topic. I got into diesels with a 1991 VW Jetta 3 years ago. Loved it . Would never by a gas car again. So simple to rmaintain and runs and runs. Then I got my wife a 1998 Jetta TDI . Greater. My sister got a 2001 Jetta TDI. My brother in law got a 2004 Jetta TDI-PD. Then , I got a 1981 MB 300D.

The Jettas are nice especially the new ones but the big steel Mercedes has a character and class of a vehicle built to be maintained and last a lifetime. I like it best of all . Plus it will run on SVO better from what I have heard.

Since66 · #57 03-15-2007, 06:26 PM

Back in the day, when I bought my first diesel, people would ask me what I thought of my '77 300D. My response:

"It's slow.......it's noisy.....it smells.....and I love it!"

Nowadays, they're not slow, not noisy, they don't smell.......and I wish I had one.

Stevo · #58 03-15-2007, 07:14 PM

One of the best things about these cars besides timeless good looks, inside and out, comfy ride, easy on fuel, is if you can program a VCR, you poses enough skill too fix what ever breaks (most of the time anyway) or even tell your wife or daughter over the phone..how to fix it

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