Well, I have had my 79300SD for 1 month and 1400 miles.

My wife and I have to go to a wedding in Los Angles this weekend. She is flying and I am driving. We live in in the San Francisco Bay Area, about 400 miles from LA.

This is my first diesel, not to mention my first car over ~5 years old, so I am a little anxious about the trip. My car is in tip top shape showing no 'symptoms' of any type.

Reading the post "is it bad to redline it? " was helpful as my car tachs ~4000 at 90mph. On Highway 5, I plan to drive at 80-85mph (~3400-3700 RPMs) for ~300 miles straight. After reading the above mentioned post, I feel confident that my car will be happy at that RPM.

My car has an auxillary fuel tank in the trunk giving me a range of ~950 miles. I have yet to exceed 850 miles as I do not want to run out of gas. I should be able to drive there and back on 1 fill up.


Anyway, thanks for all of the info...because of this board, I made the decision to drive. If not for this board and the high mile stories on these engine, I would NEVER consider taking a 25 years old car with 130K miles on an 800 mile trip....

Anthony

__________________
'83 240D (W123) 321K miles
250KM Mileage Award
500KM Mileage Award

'84 300TD (W123) 215k miles
250K mileage award pending

Once I get mine into shape hopefully I'll be doing some cross country trips, I also hope to add an extra fuel tank however I don't prefer to run on gas it tends to make the motor knock a bit to much for my taste. (it takes a while to adjust terminology doesn't it!?)

Have a good safe trip,

__________________
Jeff M.
Mercedes W123 DIY pages are now located here.
1983 / 1984 300D Sold
2000 CLK430 Cabriolet ~58k Sold
2005 Avalanche 4x4 ~66k

Do a search on "road trip" or similar. There are a few items listed which you should consider taking with you on the maiden voyage. I took a 300 mile trip yesterday out to Coldwater, MI and my SD drove beautifully. First long trip since the complete front end rebuild. Got a nice sweet spot at 80mph. Smooooth....

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Orland Park, IL
1985 300SD 215,000 miles

First you won't run out of gas. Diesel maybe but not gas.
Doing 85 to 90 at least try 100 so you can go straight to jail. It's your insurance. At the top of Grapevine is Frazer Park and a Fly J fuel stop. Best price you will find. Don't go out to the truck island. there is a diesel pump on the side with the "Gas pumps." Enjoy your flight.And your car.
Charlie