Best diesel for me? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

G-Man · #1 10-20-2003, 08:23 PM

I am about to get myself into a big commute situation. I have a 2800 mile round trip to make once per month. Right now I have some great cars but nothing that I want to put 60k miles a year on, or any that get better than 20 mpg. 400 miles each way is going to be through Colorado so I think a turbo model is in order unless I want to become a rolling roadblock

I would also prefer to spend $15k or less as the miles I put on will kill the resale anyway.

I am a pretty big guy so an S-class is tempting. What would you choose and why? What kind of milage can I expect cruising at 80-85 across Nebraska? Thanks for the input guys!

PS, I hate commercial air travel

kerry · #2 10-20-2003, 09:18 PM

Definitely a turbo if you're driving thru here. You'll find a lot of people here with high praise for the 126 SD.

TX76513 · #3 10-20-2003, 09:57 PM

A good SD(L) will give you + 25 mpg and you can set the cruise to your own liking. Ride, Comfort, Room its all there. I love it

DslBnz · #4 10-20-2003, 10:34 PM

*Get a 300SDL, and you won't have to worry about adjusting the valves as with the 300SD.

*Get a 300SD, and you won't have to worry about cracking the aluminum head.

**Get a 300SDL and the backseat room will be enormous.

**Get a 300SD and it will have a shorter turning radius and be a little easier to park.

***Get a 300SDL and it will run forever

***Get a 300SD and it will run forever

Both excellent cars. The best diesel MB's ever built!

TX76513 · #5 10-20-2003, 10:40 PM

Get a 300SD and it will have a shorter turning radius and be a little easier to park
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
That is for sure

Reminds of the old song "give me 40 acere's and I turn this thing around"!

speedy300Dturbo · #6 10-20-2003, 11:03 PM

The SDL will be a much happier highway cruiser. The RPM's aren't nearly as high at speeds of 80mph and up.

DslBnz · #7 10-20-2003, 11:58 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by speedy300Dturbo
The SDL will be a much happier highway cruiser. The RPM's aren't nearly as high at speeds of 80mph and up.

That's true except for one model year in the SD. Remember the '85 gearing?

The SD had the 2.88 or 2.87 rear-axle in that year as opposed to the normal 3.07 used in '81 - '84 models.

Still, the SDL has MUCH better power when you're going in excess of 100 mph. Don't ask me how I know!:p :p

william rogers · #8 10-21-2003, 02:28 AM

I have an 81 SD that I love, have hopes it will last another twenty years.But if I am going to do any freeway driving in the 80 to 85 range I'll take my Euro SE with it's super high gearing,my SD runs about 2500 at 55 so at 85 it's working pretty hard. I dought that it hurts it any but I feel uncomfortable running it that fast for a long period.

The 85 SD would be my choise.If you choose any of the turbos don't forget to let it spool down every time you stop after running at speed.......
William Rogers.......

G-Man · #9 10-21-2003, 08:55 AM

OK, Now bring me up to speed a little on the engine differences. I would have guessed from the nomenclature that they were the same engine and the only difference was the "L" length of the wheelbase.

I don't have any problem getting the valves adjusted. I would be leery of a cracked head though

Is the head problem related to the 350 diesel engine? I haven't heard much good about those, though I do know one G owner with that engine. He had the head replaced and the entire cooling system, now he trusts it thousands of miles from home in the harshest conditions.

I've always been a fan of the 126 body, last of the great ones IMO. The car must be able to cruise comfortably at 85 mph. I am also a little concerned about the highway milage. If 25 mpg is all that I am going to get, I might have to look at an E-class to get 30+. Any experience with those?

MineMapper · #10 10-21-2003, 09:04 AM

Does it have to be a Benz?

Passat TDI will cruise at 85 all day long, and give you 40mpg to boot. Buy a sedan and you can probably pick one up for 5 or 6 grand. Buy one without a sun roof, and it will have plenty of room for you.

Just another option.

G-Man · #11 10-21-2003, 10:06 AM

I like the VW option, except for the fact that I swore off front wheel drive years ago. I just don't know if I could go back.

I also noticed that the 96-97 W210 diesels are not turbo'ed and the '98-99's are pretty spendy still. Maybe a W124 is the place to look?

asharp · #12 10-21-2003, 10:38 AM

Take a look at the 91-92 300d. Decent room and they get 30mpg

Rick Miley · #13 10-21-2003, 10:38 AM

Yes, the 95 W124, 96 and 97 W210 all have the non-turbo OM606, but I've never heard anybody complain about lack of power. Everybody here who has them loves them, and they regularly report 30+ mpg.

For even better mileage and only slightly less power, look to an early 90's 300D 2.5 Turbo. I think the years were 90 to 93. There was one for sale on this board for months, and I think the guy finally gave up and kept it. Search the classifieds under user name McDiesel.

D.Blake · #14 10-21-2003, 10:53 AM

G-Man,
My experience has been with both the w123 and w126 in both the .120 (SD) and .125 (SDL) models. My beloved 240D was a great "in town" car. A little too noisey on the highway at high speed, but it was my only car for awhile and it was very reliable. The w126 in both the SD and SDL models is a great road car, and I have also found both to be very reliable. I drive regularly a 500 round trip once or twice a month to the west and cross several high mountain passes with ease. The SD has the 617 iron-headed engine. Very robust but older technology. The best I get is about 24mpg in town and about 27mpg on the road - understand this is my experience based on my driving habits. The SDL will get about 25-26 in town and close to 30mpg on the highway at 75mph (note my 500 mile round trip is almost all above 6000ft of elevation). The turbo charged 5 cylinder 617 engine is almost bullet-proof but only develops about 120 max hp. The six cylinder 603 engine in the SDL develops about 148 max hp. It is quieter, particularly at high speed. I am not sure about what features the 84 and 85 SDs had but my SDL has ABS, drivers side Air Bag, telescoping steering wheel, rear head rests, power front head rests, memory power front seats and my SD does not (note the SD does have power front seats but no memory). The 87 300Ds have the 603 engine in a lighter body so it is fast. I do not have any experience with them, but Dave M. on this forum has just about taken one completely apart and put it back together again. I like the larger size of the S models since I am 6'2" at about 200lbs. The SDL is about 6 inches longer, mostly used in the rear seating area. I think both cars have extremely tight turning radiuses for their size (as opposed to my truck which takes an empty Walmart parking lot to turn around in!). My preference is for the SDL, but in chosing one you need to be picky and know what to look for or you'll be asking Dave M. on how to replace the head! Hope this helps.

#15 10-21-2003, 11:00 AM

The current The Star has a letter about someone with a commute such as yours that has done nicely for 6 years now with a '75 MB diesel. It has outlasted three "cheaper" cars...cost MUCH less.

This is the kind of service these cars were designed to eat up, and stay in commission. Any thing else...and I'm thinking Passat...will wear out, have more down time, depreciate many thousands of dollars...whereas an old MB diesel will SERVE valiantly without losing any value.

My .02