Yesterday I observed a later model (1987-90??) diesel wagon
with a vent grill on the passenger fender next to the signal light edge. Five slats made up the contoured vent.
Is this common? What is it for?
I have never noticed this.

Den

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

Denis,
I believe that is the fresh air intake. I think it was present on the '93 through '95 D's.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Since you said wagon, it would have to be a 1987 300TD. They were only available here for one year, and are very much sought after.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

Well, the 1987 wagons didn't have the fender air intake. In the U.S., the only cars that did were the 1990-1993 300D 2.5. I'd guess it was a grey market 124 wagon.

- JimY

My 1987 190D 2.5 Turbo also had this fender vent. It is the engine air intake vent.

Yes, the W201 got that vent earlier than the W124. I saw a 190D 2.5 Turbo in a parking lot just last weekend that was in incredible condition.

Anyway, thanks for correcting me Jim. You're certainly right about no vent on the 87 300TD. But now you've really got me wondering. Wasn't the gray market pretty much dried up by the time the W124 was introduced? Maybe the owner of the wagon in question had the right front quarter panel replaced with one from a later year.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

That fender vent is sexy. I want one for the SDL.

Sawzall.

__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References

There were still a few grey market cars coming in. Maybe it belonged to an embassy or something...

I'm not certain, but you could likely replace the fender on an '87 wagon with one from an early 90s 124 sedan. I believe the body panels are identical forward of the A-pillar.

Of course, it wouldn't do much without changing the airbox and associated hardware. I forget where the OM603 engined cars draw their intake air - I think it's from behind the right headlight. I could walk downstairs to look, but it's too much work right now...

- JimY

Mine draws air from the passenger's side of the front grill... on the side of the radiator.

My '87 300D admits intake air at the rear of the rf fender, in front of passenger door. Can only see openings when door is partially opened.

Well, it was definitely a 300TD wagon , white and had regular
Calif. license plates (current-no clue to past history). It seemed a one piece car in very nice shape. i.e. did not seem like it had body work.
I was looking for a website with pics of cars in order to identify the model year. The only thing I noticed inside was the rather angled instrument cluster dash top. It was not rounded like the W123.
It definitely was not W123.

Looked nice!!

__________________
1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

All W 124 300Turbo Diesels had the air intake in the right fender.
From September 1993 on all the Diesel models received the fender with the air intake. The turbos a well as the non turbos with the exception of the 2 liter Diesel.
I am talking about the European cars.

Danny

yes my 124 1995 e300 diesel has the vented fender


wagger

24 valve diesels had fender vents. Something to do with getting more air in. I believe they came in from 1993. My '95 wagon has it.

__________________
Brian

1995 E300 Diesel 124T - 210k