Please Critique/ I want to join the MB diesel club

[soypwrd]

I`ve always lusted over 300TD Wagons. We have two VW TDI Passat wagons and love them but are now in the market for a MB wagon to fill out the stable. While inquiring with one TDI friend who is a good mechanic whom I respect and also owns a MB diesel, he had this to say;


"My advice on the benz is stay away. The one I bought was a great car, the seller put over $5000 of work into it within one year of the date he sold it to me, and it needs another $5000 now. He replaced everything that was failing, suspenion components, steering rack, alternator, radiator, ac system, and many other things. Now it needs a new transmission, new vacuum system, injectors, valve adjustment, shocks (again), ect... the list just keeps going on. I researched a little and found most parts to be cheap, however when my brakes failed due to leaky calipers and pistons rusted beyond reuse, I had to buy reman calipers, at like $230 a piece. The rear windows dont work anymore, trying to fix them would be nearly impossible. Basically at this point, the car is junk, or I could sell it for $2500 after putting $5000 into it. Really I could have bought a cheap hyundai brand new for the same price and had a car that would last twice as long (i put 50K on the benz, a hyundai has a 100k warranty) and even though I would be driving a hyundai, it wouldnt have ruined my driveway with oil leaks (from the oil filter housing gasket, replaced it twice at 14 hrs each, and within two weeks it begins leaking again. after talking to several benz freaks, it just happens, and theres nothing you can do about it. Tomo had the same experience, his electrical system blew up, oil leaks, ect.

Stick with what you have. If you need me to fix your B4's, you better get a benz mechanic on your full time staff."


I really want to join the MB diesel club but the above statements concern me, I respect this individual`s opinion but would like to hear what others who`ve owned these fine vehicles have to say. Kind comments are welcome.....