I did a search but did not find anything that really answered my question....so:

Which is the better option for a 80's 300cd? Turbo or non-turbo? And why?

It is not my intent to start a flaming discussion on this board (although they can be fun to watch), but rather, I am seeking knowledge from you fine souls before I narrow my purchase options.


Cheers

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Yukon Audi

"For every mile of road - there's two miles of ditch!"

Here are the threads that will answer all your turbo or no-turbo questions:

Regular Diesel v.s. Turbo

Are turbo’s indeed worth the hassle?

Good luck. I would go with the turbo, no matter what.

Good info - thanks. I was leaning to the turbo version based on my past experience, but thought best to ask the question here.

Makes sense that an air pump will pump more air if it is turbo-charged.

Cheers

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Yukon Audi

"For every mile of road - there's two miles of ditch!"

Turbo.

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andy t
'78 300d
'95 volvo 850, wagon
'86 300sdl - engine out, maybe I'll have it rolling by June

whole bunch o' bicycles

With a turbo you don't get bugs smashing themselves into your REAR windscreen

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You can get farther with a smile and a gun than you can with just a smile.

1984 300D
1985 300CD
1980 300SD
1993 SL500

Hey, those bugs help me accelerate

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1983 240D 4 sp manual 260K

I thought that was the wind time wizzing by.

I think turbos are great, a "passing gear", power when you need it, why WOULDNT you want a car with a turbo. The reason I don't want one is I wanted a car that I could FIX myself and a turbo means climate control, automatic tranny, power everything, plus a turbo engine is allot more expensive to overhaul. I would take a turbo in a hot second if I didn't have to have all the power stuff or if I ever become good enough (or rich enough) to fix all the "power items" when they crap out.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

Turbo's and Diesel engines were made for each other. A turbo actually will improve the MPG--more air = better combustion = more efficient.

Still, every MB turbodiesel I've ever driven suffers from extreme turbo lag. I drove a 300SDL a few years back that was in excellent shape. When you pulled out into traffic and stomped on it, there was a couple of seconds where nothing happened. Then woosh.

Maybe this can be adjusted out with the ALDA.

Sholin

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What else, '73 MB 280 SEL (Lt Blue)
Daily driver: '84 190D 2.2 5 spd.

dieseldiehard


" he took a 240D and dropped a 300D turbo in it." ..... Ya, I will take one of those. Better yet, I would go for a W116 with no power stuff, OK power windows, but a 5 speed box.

Seriously I,m not convinced that a turbo and a manual tranny, at least from MB, is a good combination or they would have had it as an option.

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"

You have to remember that MBUSA believes that Americas are idiots. The US has a very limited view of MB's product line. Just about every car MB has ever made is available with MT outside the US. The M100 cars are the only exceptions that come to mind.

You can get a 300Dt with 5-speed - just not in the US. You can get a 190D 2.2, 2.5 or 2.5t with 5-speed in US trim.

My SDL is slower off the line than a 300SD, but I rarely get on a freeway from a dead stop. Once the tach sweeps past 2000rpm there's no call to floor the pedal in daily driving. From my experience driving with the ALDA line disconnected, I infer that merging in a Diesel without a turbo requires some planning.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

A 190D 2.5T with a 5 speed? I didn't know those were available in the US. Mine was a 4 speed automatic, a 5 speed would have been bad ass.

I think somebody surfing around here has a 2.5T with a 5 speed. I think Marshall Booth also has converted one as well.

JMHO but I see no negative to ANY car with a manual. I understand the argument that an auto can keep the turbo spooled, but if you shift a manual such that the turbo drops out, you are doing something wrong.

Lots of Cummins Dodge pickups are sold with manuals. So for that matter is every 18 wheeler.

Sholin

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What else, '73 MB 280 SEL (Lt Blue)
Daily driver: '84 190D 2.2 5 spd.

After driving my 240D for two years, from new, I installed a Garrett turbo kit. A lot of work and kind of pricy but well worth it all. The car will keep up with the traffic, all the traffic and I don't have to shift down at every mountain hill I come to. No smoke at any throttle and early boost, not like my 300D turbo that is kind of slow to give it to me. The control system is very simple, an easly adjusted waste gate that also acts as an over boost control. I push 12" to get 40% more power and the engine is in mint condition after probably a half million kliks. I drive this car all the time and my wife drives the 300D turbo. From a stand still I can take her every time.

sexto

"Just about every car MB has ever made is available with MT outside the US. "

I didnt know that. All the MT, Euro 300s that I have ever seen are non turbos. You mean I could find my 116 with a 5 spd manual out side the US of A? :p

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1985 Euro 240D 5 spd 140K
1979 240D 5 spd, 40K on engine rebuild
1994 Dodge/Cummins, 5 spd, 121K
1964 Allice Chalmers D15 tractor
2014 Kubota L3800 tractor
1964 VW bug

"Lifes too short to drive a boring car"