Hey guys, Perhaps y'all have some insights into this manner...

Currently, I roll an '82 240D with a stick, I like the thing, but its lack of refinement (its LOUD on the highway, which is my commute)... and dismal fuel economy (I get 28mpg, on a 67hp vehicle this is annoying, free fuel or not, I can get better mpgs with any compact car sold in the last 10 years... I love diesels, but until TDI prices come down, its not gonna happen soon. I figure my 240D is probably pretty easy to sell given the WVO craze right now...

the plot thickens-

I know of a very good friend who is thinning his car fleet - among them is a 1986(?) 300E with a std trans and a 1973 450SL. Both have 100K or so miles on them...

The 300E is good and rust free, the head has already been fixed, as has the condenser and front end pieces (I need to check what has been fixed specifically) but I think its got all the early W124 problems fixed. Gold color/Tan interior. It'd be nice to have the ability to exceed 85mph, but I fear that this would only get me in trouble. (240D's are nice like that) ABS and 5 speeds are very welcome also. If I got this I'd sell my 240D. Its tough to find another stick shift MB in this country other that what Him and I have.

The 450SL would be a "toy" car- I finally own a house with a garage to keep it in- There is a little rust under the paint in a few places, but other than the origional timing chain, the other issues are small and I think it looks great. I'd love to have a convertible to roll around in (comes with hard top also) And this seems like a neat SL to have for sunny days and fun times with my son. I only consider this becuase he is willing to give me (what I consider) a good price for the thing. I'd keep the 240D and commute in it, and just have a "small mercedes collection".

I'd like to move "up" from the 240D, but not sure which direction. Any thoughts ?

(if anyone would like more info on the cars for themselves, just post here or pm, I'm not sure he's ready to advertise publicly yet but I'll ask.... thats if he's not on here already)

-John

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2009 Kia Sedona
2009 Honda Odyssey EX-L
12006 Jetta Pumpe Duse
(insert Mercedes here)

Husband, Father, sometimes friend =)

That SL must be tempting....

Ever think about selling the 240D and upgrading to a 300D or SD from a similar time period? That way you could improve your commute and also have the fun car. Probably wouldn't cost too much to upgrade...

The 300E sounds pretty nice, though. Low mileage, stick, and the usual problems taken care of, or at least it sounds that way.

Well it's a good dilemma to have, anyhow. Let us know what you decide.

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Ralph

1985 300D Turbo, CA model
248,650 miles and counting...

When thinking about the SL, the word D-Jetronic comes to mind. The next thing that comes to mind is: Where in the world would I find someone that knows about D-Jets, incase something goes wrong.
If you're handy with a meter and a soldering iron, and can find the late WDurrance's cached website, you might be ok.

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It is a truism that almost any sect, cult, or religion will legislate its creed into law if it acquires the political power to do so. Robert A. Heinlein


09 Jetta TDI
1985 300D

A mercedes 5-speed is fun to drive. I'd go for the 300E.

I vote the 300E too!
(I am biased though!)

300E: 2 450SL: 0

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2006 BMW M5 "Heidi" @ 109,000 miles
2005 MBZ C55 AMG "Lorelai" @ 165,000 miles
1991 MBZ 300E "Benzachino II" @ 165,000 miles
1990 MBZ 500SL "Shoshanna" @ 118,000 miles

(On the hunt for a good used M103 engine as of 6/10/23, PM me if you have one to sell!)

You seem to be concerned about MPG, either of the two cars you are thinking about will do a LOT worse than your diesel on gas.

The 300E with a manual is a pretty rare car. It would make a fun driver. Nut the 450SL would, too. Tough dilemma. Both, heck, all three cars mentioned are pretty bulletproof cars.

The 75 and 76 SL models, I would avoid b ecause of the catalytic converters under the hood (Things could get hot, even a fire, in a few cases reported) but the R107 SL is a timeless classic, lots of parts support for them, and they always look good, though be sure you are comfortable in them, check the leg shoulder and headroom carefully, they are a little tight for some people.

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1991 560 SEC AMG, 199k <---- 300 hp 10:1 ECE euro HV ...

1995 E 420, 170k "The Red Plum" (sold)

2015 BMW 535i xdrive awd Stage 1 DINAN, 6k, <----364 hp

1967 Mercury Cougar, 49k

2013 Jaguar XF, 20k <----340 hp Supercharged, All Wheel Drive (sold)

I had some serious D-Jet problems with my 73 280SEL and no one could help me. I eventually found a guy who worked on various D-Jet cars when they were new and he managed to sort my issues out.

In his words "dude, most of the guys who worked on this system are now retired"

That said, if it's running well, then it may not be a bad buy. Since I sorted my car out it has run fine. I now make it a rule to pull map sensors and computers from cars at the junk yard whenever I see them.

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With best regards

Al

A 300E with the 5 speed would get good gas mileage, as well as being a lot more peppy than the automatic. Damn, that's one of my favorite cars, the 300E with a 5 speed.

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1985 CA 300D Turbo , 213K mi