I'm currently driving an '85 300dt and love the car... I've been contemplating replacing a second car with a 300t wagon (either turbo or non). I'm wondering how large the storage area is with the seats folded down. For example, does a 4x8 sheet of plywood fit inside the car?

-John

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1985 MBZ 300DT
1969 MBZ 220d
1984 MBZ 300TDT
1981 VW Vanagon

Funny you ask. I use mine for every conceivable thing.

I put a piece of plywood in the other day that was cut to 44x80.25 inches (to extend my table). Fit pretty easy side to side. Came up to the headrest but the tailgate closed fine.

The next night I'm hauling seven people around.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

I once moved around 1000 pounds of ceramic tiles in my wagon - TWICE! fortunately it was less than ten miles and I took it real slow, but the self-levelling system worked out fine. Braking was another story!
Dieseldiehard
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 104041
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 289560
1983 300D 237490
1985 300TD 206150

Payload should be indicated by the vehicle data card. It is located on the driver's side exterior section of the B-pillar.

I believe the maximum payload is 1050 lbs unloaded for the wagons. At least that's the payload on an '87.

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

The length of the TD load area with the rear seat down and the rear seat folded forward is 70.2 inches and at max, an additional 6"- 8"if you remove the rear seat bases and scoot the front seats forward.

Width is 37.8 between the wheel wells. Above the wells is approximately 58.5 inches of width.

Last time I checked, a 4X8 piece of plywood was 48" by 96".

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.

I'd carry it on the roof rack.

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Michael

1988 300 SL (5 Speed)
1994 E320 Wagon
1997 C230

R Leo:

I gained a bit by having it rest on the rear of the headrest and run diagonally down to the tailgate. 80.25" fit that way. Wouldn't have wanted to stop real fast however as I value my head.

The good point here is that the wagons are quite flexible.

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

It is posted on the fuel tank flap

I am currently in the business of adding on to our house. I have carried eight bags of pre-mix concrete and eight 12" block, many different loads of lumber on the thule gutter mounted roof rack and then cleaned it up for a night out. I think that they are amazing machines.

The wagon is also my daily driver. Approx. 80 miles a day and it hasn't missed a beat except for a failed water pump. I search the forum on a regular basis and that has helped me keep it running smooth.

This is my second wagon (first one totaled) and recommend them highly.

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Paul

1991 300TE (280,000)
1985 300TD (432,000 miles - retired)
1976 300D (225,000 - retired)
1975 300D (165,000 - retired)

Boy, you guys REALLY use your wagons! Get a Chevy ext cab full ton dually 4x4 next time!

Geez, you guys know you are driving Benz's, right?:p

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

Is that why Benz designed an upside-down "Y" into the hood "star"

(where do you get those oneliners anyhow, out of a Stuttgart booklet on marketing to Amerikaners?)

Dieseldiehard
1971 220 4-spd manual 104646
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 290820
1983 300D 238890
1985 300TD 207980

Yes.

Well, actually that was Mercedes' claimed philosophy that Bruno Sacco developed for the design premise for the '80s and '90s.

I borrowed the quotes from mbusa.com!

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1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

Or, better yet, get a truck!

I wanted a wagon, although my main reason was the ability to haul 2 extra people...it'd be nice if I could afford a Sprinter

*flame suit on* I know that at least 2 people (possibly 3) are gonna flame me for this one!

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2001 VW Jetta TDI, 5 speed, daily driver
1991 Ford F-350, work in progress
1984 Ford F-250 4x4, 6.9l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual
Previous oilburners: 1980 IH Scout, 1984 E-350, 1985 M-B 300D, 1979 M-B 300SD, 1983 M-B 300D
Spark-free since 1999

Both a friend and my brother have F-250 Powerstroke Diesels. Upon borrowing them from time to time, I still prefer to drive my wagon.

So, while its not quite as ultiltarian as a truck, it is overall better in my mind for these reasons:

25 mpg
seats 7
car feel with the added diesel vibration
flexible for hauling junk

Don

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DAILY DRIVERS:
'84 300DT 298k (Aubrey's)
'99.5 Jetta TDI IV 251k (Julie's)
'97 Jetta TDI 127k (Amber's)
'97 Jetta TDI 186k (Matt's)
'96 Passat TDI 237k (Don's
'84 300D 211k Mint (Arne- Undergoing Greasecar Conversion)

SOLD:
'82 240D 229k (Matt's - Converted-300DT w/ 4 speed

Right now I have a beater pickup (Mr. Toad) for carrying 'nasty stuff' but, since Marlene has a hitch, I'm planning on selling the truck and buying a two-wheeled trailer capable of carrying 4x8 sheets.

I have a full carpet set that is just itching to be installed in her too; I imagine that will curb my willingness to throw 'crap' in the back w/o thinking about it first.

Since I bought her, Marlene has become our 'throw-everything-plus-the-dogs-in-the-back-and-haul-ass-cross-country" vehicle.

Take a look:

Attached Thumbnails

 

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Never a dull moment at Berry Hill Farm.