Anything else along the lines of an 87 300D out there?

[Carrameow]

I'm starting to feel comfortable fixing the W124 class,having sworn by W123 for ten years and I really like the Car.
However today I saw a 90 SDL and I was disappointed, it was just too big and it looked like a barge, and doesnt have the 87 300D' styling ..the SDL was a real throwback... Is the 87 300D the only Hi Performance Diesel out there?

[sixto]

I don't know if it's a throwback as much as a design that had a 5 year head start.

The 98-99 E300 will shame an 87 300D. The 05 E320 CDI will shame an 05 E320 gasser. For the buck (or $20K), you can't beat an 87 300D. Maybe the 96-97 Passats are fast. I really don't know.

> it was just too big and it looked like a barge, and doesnt have
> the 87 300D' styling

Okay, I'll bite. Why does the W124 have 5 sets of seatbelts? You can't properly fit 5 people in there. And thank goodness it doesn't have the W124 sytling. All in fun In fact the W124 has nice lines. When you proportion it to the size of a proper car, you get the W140

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Whoa, the 124 is a nice looking car, esp. with the lower stance and flared fenders on the 500E. I don't think it can compare to the sleek look of a 126. Bruno is turning over in his grave!

Also, in regards to size: The W126 "L" is long, but I don't find the overall dimensions obscenely huge. OK, the rear foot space is a bit much, but besides that I find it a nice fit. I drove an E320 for a day and found it kind of cramped. A great car, but too snug for a 6 banger sedan.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally posted by Carrameow
..........a 90 SDL and I was disappointed, it was just too big and it looked like a barge.............

Well, I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but, what I can certainly tell you is that the barge will transport you very comfortably at 80 mph for many hours on end and you will never feel claustrophobic in it, even if you are 6'4" tall .

[psfred]

87 190D 2.5L turbo.

Smaller and faster than the 87 300D 3.0L.

Peter

[Hatterasguy]

I'll have to dissagree with you Sixto for under $20k a 1998-1999 W210 E300D is probably the best used car bargin on the market. I'm sorry but that new Mercedes are junk talk is just that. New Mercedes are awsome cars, there just more refined the quality is still their.

[Brian Carlton]

Originally posted by Hatterasguy
I'm sorry but that new Mercedes are junk talk is just that. New Mercedes are awsome cars, there just more refined the quality is still their.

There is too much evidence to the contrary that the later model M/B are suffering greatly in quality and durability. I believe that these vehicles are now on a par with a Ford Taurus. The cost to repair them, however, is far greater than what you would pay to repair a Ford.

We will see in 2017 whether a 1999 E300D will still have its body and electrical systems well enough intact to command a price of $7000. on the used market. I would sincerely doubt it.

[Hatterasguy]

Bah I have spent a lot of time in W220's and W210's their just as nice, my friends E300D with 147k miles on it looks like new! I can hardly find flaws with it, it doesn't look much more difficult to work on than mine and the build quality seems to be high, no rattles and the interior is perfect. I hate say it but the W220 rides better than my W126 they also seem to be built about the same, although I havn't taken apart a W220. The W220 could stand more chrome, but that is just modern style, chrome seems to be out of fashion unfortunitly. The W211 is also an awsome car, the E55 is just wow! A bit hard to work on but so are the 500E's.

[sixto]

Originally posted by Hatterasguy
I'll have to dissagree with you Sixto for under $20k a 1998-1999 W210 E300D is probably the best used car bargin on the market.

I didn't know the W210 td's were under $20K already. Then for under $15K the 87 300D is the fastest MB bang for the buck When I said you can't beat it, I meant you can't beat it in a speed contest. Certainly the ammenities of newer MB Diesels are worth considering. D@mn the rods, if MB offered a US spec LWB W140 Diesel, there'd be one in my driveway where the S420 is.

To the second point, I've heard people whose opinions I respect say that the W220 is a worthy successor to the line. I spent some time in a W220 S500 and prefer the W140. I mean overall I prefer the W140. There's lots to like and even prefer about the W220 but it regained some of the classic Teutonic stiffness of the W126. Definitely a preference thing. I love the SDL but I'm thankful for the lighter steering, softer ride and plusher seats of the S420. MB took some of that back from the W220.

Peter, I heard that the 2.5 can't keep up with the 87. Barrett notes the 87 has a 1.9 sec advantage to 60 mph.

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

[psfred]

Sixto:

The 2.5L in a W124 chassis will be slower, but I'd expect it to be about par, maybe a bit faster, in the W201. Could be wrong, though, never driven one.

I'd love to have one just for the better milage to a from work!

Peter

[DslBnz]

the 190D 2.5 turbo is only a smidgen slower than the 300D 3.0. About a few tenths of a second. However, the top speed of the 300D is 10 + mph more than the 190.

1st E320CDI, to 60 in 6.8

2nd '98/'99 E300TD to 60 in 8.5

3rd '87 300DT to sixty in 10.3

4th 190DT/350SD/350SDL to sixty in 11.2

5th '87 300TDT/300SDL/W140 300SD/S350/ '77-'80 300SD/300D turbo pre-'86. to sixty in 12 - 13 secs.

6th pre '86 300SD/300TD to sixty in 14 - 15 secs.




As far as top speeds,....

1st E300/'87 300D/E320 CDI: 130 mph

2nd 300SDL/'87 300TDT: 120 - 130 mph

3rd W140 300SD/S350 350SD/350SDL/190DT 110 - 120 mph.

4th 300D/300SD/300TD pre '86: 100 - 110 mph.

[gsxr]

If you want a 124 diesel, go for the 1995 E300. If you want a *fast* 124 diesel, stick with the 1987, and slap on a new head when the original one cracks. The 2.5L turbos are nicely in the middle. All are great cars. The 1990-up models have more computer controls which I find annoying. But they also have a lot of the cosmetic & luxury updates - body updates, more wood trim, pleated leather door panels (optional), etc. I've done a lot of the interior mods on my '87 and now it looks like a 1995 model inside.

Avoid the S-class unless you need the room, and don't mind driving a large car. The 124 can be turned into a sports car (as far as handling/braking), you can't do that with the S. The 190D-T is very nice but very rare, and lacks some of the refinement that justified the 124's price tag being ~33% higher at the time.

[gsxr]

BTW - the 1995 E300 does 0-60 in the 12 second range. Not sure what top speed is.

[DslBnz]

Oh, I was only comparing the turbo models.

Top speed for the '96 E300 is around 130 mph, too. Ummm...., What???

http://www.infowing.ie/donegal/Ad/2Tony4.htm

Oh, excuse me. Kudos for the W210 body style's aerodynamic efficiency!