We admitted we were powerless over MB Diesel and that our lives have become more managable.

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83 300CDTurbo 307,000
2005 Honda Element 266,000
56 Nash Ambassador Country Club Special 34,000(under restoration presently)

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/car-audio-multimedia/125099-123-install-extreme-dynamat.html

As a hopeless addict without recourse I'm prepared to face this reality without pain medication

The diesel enigine has be a big part of my life. I've driven a Diesel from 1984-1997,2002-present. From 1976-1984 I drove gas pickup I guess i'm addicted.

LOL!! This goes back to my mechanic's suggestion of installing a gasoline primer kit! You all convinced me it's a bad idea, but here's a real life application! How well did it work?

Dave

I keep my diesel "addiction" at bay by owning a few gassers at the same time.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

for the 1930's 1940's.
I would not do it on modern diesels.

Some say GM's long-ago failed experiment in converting V-6 and V-8 gas engines to diesel is to blame for the average American's aversion to compression ignition. But even the best oil burners that gained some U.S. popularity in the wake of the 70s gas crisis were rough, noisy and smoky and required an annoying wait for glow plugs to warm. And the fuel smelled badly on your hands

Now, following a long absence here and enormous growth in Europe and elsewhere, diesels are back in North America in limited volumes just as gas has gotten a little more dear. Compared to those in our memories, they are relatively quiet, surprisingly smooth and powerful and essentially smoke free, and this shining mid-range Mercedes example is capable of converting many to diesel addiction

Besides prodigious torque and impressive economy, this turbocharged 24-valve 3.2L inline six achieves far lower emissions than previous-generation diesels largely due to high-pressure full-electronic injection, which until recently was considered technically impossible. CDI stands for Common-rail Direct Injection, through which the fuel line loop supplies very high (up to 23,000 psi) constant pressure to each of the six solenoid injector valves

While diesels produce more oxides of nitrogen and particulates than gas engines, they typically emit significantly lower CO and 20-30 percent lower CO2. With precise electronic control of fuel delivery and oxidation catalysts, the E320 CDI passes emissions in all states except California and four others that adopted its stricter standards. M-B says its engineers are optimistic that they can meet still tougher 2007 U.S. requirements when low-sulfur diesel fuel becomes available here late in 2006.

Standing on the right pedal demonstrates one good reason why modern diesels have become so popular in other markets. Once the (somewhat lethargic) electronically controlled 5-speed automatic gets around to responding, this $50K luxo-sedan accelerates like a rocket, and the shifts are smooth enough to disguise the 201-hp, 369 lb-ft diesel's relatively narrow torque band. We used only about 5/8 of the tank and saw 28-33 mpg in a week and 409 miles of mixed city/highway driving. The E320 CDI's EPA economy is 27 City, 37 highway vs. the gas-engine E320's 19/27, and it blasts from zero to 60 mph in 6.8 sec. vs. 7.1.

Electronic control of fuel injection also enables softening of the power pulses to smooth and quiet the engine, even at idle. You still hear the engine's characteristic growl especially at idle and low operating speeds, but it's far from the nasty marbles-in-a-jar racket of old

Mercedes debuted the world's first diesel passenger car--the 260D--in 1936. Today, diesel engines power some 40 percent of M-B passenger cars worldwide. More than 75 percent of M-B's North American passenger cars were diesel powered In the 1980s, but they tapered off through the '90s until the last one, the E300 Turbodiesel, disappeared in 1999.

Now this one is back, and it's a gem

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

The new V6 320CDI is even more impressive, as it uses piezoelectric injectors, where electricity is used to alter the crystalline structure of a piezoelectric material. This allows up to 5 injections (!) per power stroke, and finer fuel atomization.

Back to the original topic, I don't own a diesel car, and I've never imagined myself being interested in owning one. But reading about the Benz diesels in this forum has definitely piqued my interest in these cars. Where I live are a number of VW Golf TDI cars, and when one of these clatters by, it always makes me look. And lately I have been scanning AutoTrader for W123 turbodiesel wagons ...

MIT published a study last year I believe, which stated that Diesel technology was the bridge to the Hydrogen era of transportation. Fuel efficiency, Biodiesel, ULSD, and particulate filters all make Diesels attractive to those of us looking for a way to deal with the energy crunch and global warming.

I got my '79 240D for $300.00 bucks at a Salvation Army 35,000 miles ago, and it's been running like a champ on home made biodiesel. I'm hooked.

I had bought an old 1973 MB 280 on a whim and quickly befriended my indy mechanic. Then I noticed all, I mean ALL the mechanics in his garage drove diesels. So he let me drive one every once in a while. You may be aware, the old 280 gasser, even with an inline six gets about 14-15 mpg if you're lucky.

Long story short, I sold my house recently and bought a 1985 300 SD from my indy. I had my boss drop my off to pick it up. Now she is Polly purebred...spoiled rotten lady...she loved it. She always makes me drive when we go to lunch. Has anyone else noticed that women poo poo these cars at first until they get in them...then they LOVE them? Every women that has been in this car just loves it. I think they feel safe in them or something..bizarre.

Anyway, my diesel addiction started a few months ago and doesn't seem like it's going to end anytime soon.

I think once you realize that you're dealing with a superior technology, it's seems foolish to go backwards.

'love the 300SD more every time I drive it.

T

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Tom in AZ

1985 300SD, smoke silver, blue interior, 146K
1973 280, 85K (sold)

I had always wanted an older car with styling, I love diesels, and loved standard transmissions...... So the first time I saw...and drove a 240d..stick I was hooked. I have been obsessed since then. That was 6 years ago. Unfortunatley The one I drove had some issues, and he wanted WAY to much($2,800 w/320k rebuilt head), and it needed about $1500 in parts(I could easily fix) He wouldn't take my offer said he would rather it rot in the barn than sell it to me. To this day he is doing just that . Any way, I ended up getting a 300d 5 years ago, drove it as a second car for 2 years, dad wrecked his car, he took the benz over . after 3 years, I finally got it back, and at the right time too, I drive a 96 land rover Discovery (gas guzzler). I have been using the benz(Sally) as a daily driver for a little over a month now, and even took a 400 mile trip in her . Obsession is now an understatement. I love driving both of my cars but when you turn off the radio to listen to the diesel engine, you are certifiably obsessed .
Sorry for the long post just wanted to share my story!

I will probably have to let my little brothe have grechen in about a year
what is a good MB diesel to get that is kind of fast (13-17sec 0-60) that a college student could afford?

on a different subject...any one put a cummings in a 123 with a bad motor?
or how about a turbo 300DSL (w107)

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http://www.fairtax.org

is an excellent motor but weighs north of 1200 pounds, more than twice what any benz motor weighs, so better not go there. there are a few cars out the re with 603 motors in the 123 but the differences are great and the swap is not for the inexperienced or low on cash.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

I was talking about putting the 617 (I think) in the 107.

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http://www.fairtax.org

I hate MB diesels I'll never drive one of those smelly things.

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.