Driving differences on 4 Benzes - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

SoyDriver Matt · #1 05-30-2004, 10:08 AM

Getting enough experience now to notice the diffferences, started with a 115 240 with manual, then got a 300SD, then a second SD (both 126's, gave ont to the ex) and now bought a cheap 300 (123), all in the space of a year and a half! The 240 was fun, a little slow, but it would get you in this mood where you didn't care what the other drivers were up to. If they wanted to tailgate and floor it to get one car ahead at a stop light, that was their problem. But it was so loud I was afraid to go on the highway with my son for fear of long term deafness (I wore earplugs every time I drove it). Then a friend was selling his 300SD, after the first test drive I knew I had to have it. So quiet, so safe feeling, good power, but after a while began to notice things that bugged me, mostly the heavy wheel feel,and the way it follows the road camber, just wasn't as fun zipping it around changing lanes. Then saw a random 300SD in te Trade Express , white, with sport wheels and lo-pro tires, and liked it enough to blind me to it's huge flaws, the stinky interior from years of smoking, the crappy maintainance that has left me fixing it on the side of the road five or six times (gotten wore use out of the emergency flashers than any other car), including doing a B2 piston in a parking lot, but now that it's coming together it's a highway monster, not much difference from 60 to 100 on the feel, light steering but great tracking, but still crappy low speed performance. Now just scored an '85 300D to drive while tearing down the SD, amazing how much better the low end accel. is, but so much more jittery at high speed, feel like it's bouncing all over and takes some attention to drive it fast. It also just doesn't feel quite as nice as the SD with cushier seats and the spacious feeling interior, but as a utilitarian transport, it'll do. No real point to this thread, was just suprised by the contrasts the the P.O's maintainance and some sporty wheel packages make in the feel.

115 240....$650...sold for $600 after finding the huge rust holes
126 '84 SD.$1600 creampuff, but don't like driving it, driven by the ex
126 '83 SD..$1400 POS, but love its drive feel
123 300D..$300 sold to me because of $3000 dollar quote on rebuilt tranny and non stopping engine probs, turns out there was no fluid in there, runs fine now. Best deal, but like the SD drive better

Mark DiSilvestro · #2 05-30-2004, 11:31 AM

Was wondering if swapping the performance rims/tires etc from your SD #2 to the "creampuff" could have been an option.
Otherwise, I've owned several gasser Mercedes over the years. My gas mileage ranged from a high of near 30 MPG on a '61 Ponton 180b to a low of 11 MPG on a badly mistuned '72 220 automatic (went to 23 MPG/highway after repairs but still only about 16 in town). I've thought about getting a diesel someday. Thinking more now because, in my neighborhood, diesel is running about $.30 cheaper than regular and about $.60 less than the premium gas for my '60 Fintail 220S. What kind of fuel mileage do your various diesels get?

Happy Motoring, Mark

shane83SD · #3 05-30-2004, 09:47 PM

Assume you have good front end bushings. If so, might want to check the steering damper of the SD. Very easy to do with a big payoff. Take one bolt out and check (push and pull) if it still has damping. Mine was shot. After replacement, made the SD handle much better.

#4 05-30-2004, 10:53 PM

hi Mark,
well so far with my mb, usually 1/2 city & other 1/2 freeway we're seeing an average of 27. probley hit low 30's if I traveled the freeway more. usually travel just 70-75 on the superslab. hope that helps.

Veloce300DT · #5 05-31-2004, 03:47 AM

the 300DT will probabaly drive mor elike the SD if the suspension is given a through rebuild, assuming its still on its original suspension. I had mine rebuilt front and rear, and it drives and rides better than my moms C280. Have no problem cruising at 85mph and faster. feels strong, smooth, vibration free, and very relaxed. the 300DT is quite an impressive performer when in top notch condition.

SoyDriver Matt · #6 05-31-2004, 10:07 AM

I am getting around 27-29 on the beater, using B-100, but I fill up out of a jerry can when my station is closed so don't have exact numbers, and haven't had the 300D long enough to tell, and the ex has been driving the nice SD, but she's been yanking me around on my access to my son, so I'm going to repo it, so I'll get some numbers soon. Should be able to swap the sport wheels too and see how much difference it makes. And yes, I'm sure the 300D needs a full front end rebuild, pulls to the right and starts vibrating above 80, but not sure it will ever match the feel of the beater. BTW, has anyone else noticed that the steering wheel is not centered in front of the drivers seat on SD's? It feels like they widened the car but kept the frame rails the steering box is on the same. My buddy noticed the same thing when he drove mine when we picked up the 300D. ( He's got a '80 300D ) Looks like the same lady has an '84 300D the has a dead engine after cracking the oil pan on a parking stop in a flooded parking lot so wants to dump it, more free parts!

#7 05-31-2004, 02:14 PM

I seem to get MPG in the high twenties, but I haven't really paid any attention. I have notice the 300D tturbo has great range, though.

Mine also feels a little swervy at speed on the highway and follows the road a bit. I've noticed it getting slightly worse over the last year. My mechanic says the front end needs to be updated-like the bushings and so on. When I first bought it it was rock solifd at 100. But, I only drive it around 2000 miles/year, so it isn't a high priority right now.

SoyDriver Matt · #8 06-04-2004, 09:21 AM

O.K. did the wheel swap from the beater to the creampuff, and could not believe the difference! The '84 ( the creampuff) went from feeling like it had a serious pull to the right most of the time to tracking great, and maybe even a hint off pulling left, while the beater now pulls right. Need to recheck the tire pressure and test it again, but I think I'll be driving the '84 now, shifts so much better, starts without the initial unburnt puff of fuel, but lacks the top end of the beater, going to change the filters this week, see if it helps. Still doesn't feel quite as solid as the beater, which (I think) has stiffer shocks, and some shorter springs, it sits noticeably lower than the other one.

But, need advice on the wheels, the Centra wheels have a cover plate that goes over the lug nut area, and on the fronts it won't fit! It hits the cup that goes over the wheel bearing, which was gone on the beater, now I see why. Don't really like the idea of not having it on there, does it matter that much or are these wheels just not made for this hub design?

BTW, going to sell the beater now, anybody want to take on a cheap, running project 300SD that nedds a little loving, but rages on the highway?

TonyFromWestOz · #9 06-04-2004, 12:40 PM

I'll offer you $Au300 (incluing all import duties) delivered to West Austraila

SoyDriver Matt · #10 06-04-2004, 10:23 PM

Uhhh, I need to check the conversion rate...

scott2go · #11 06-05-2004, 05:40 AM

Soy Matt,
If your Centra caps are like mine, the star mount is what needs altered on the front wheels,you will need to grind down the clips or bolt and nut that hold the emblem on.I took the emblem off,screwed the nut and or clips back down,and used my bench grinder and took about 1/8 to 1/4 off of the stud & nut.just go slow and take a little at a time.It worked for me,hope this helps......oh yeah,use some "locktite" red or blue when you re-attach the star.. of course if there is no emblem and the cap itself is making contact,it sounds like spacer time......good luck Scott

SoyDriver Matt · #12 06-05-2004, 09:50 AM

Unfortunately they are already ground down, and still don't fit. Are you talking about spacers between the wheel and hub?

scott2go · #13 06-05-2004, 11:26 AM

That's too bad what is your offset? mine are 23 and so my front star mounts bolts I took them down to about a 1/4 total.I dont know where you would get wheel spacers @.maybe check the tire rack good Luck Scott