Hello all.

As you can see at the bottom of this page, I am on my 4th Merz. I am looking sell it. I am starting a videography company in Austin TX and I am budgeting for a company vehicle. Since driving the '93 300e, I have become accustomed to the classy styling and elegant interior over the vintage ensemble of the older Mercedes. However, I am not into the cheaper looking and less reliable newer Mercedes either.

I am thinking for a classy, reliable, and sound company vehicle.. a 1993 300SD.

Does anyone have any comments or thoughts.. or maybe another model for reccommendation?

Cheers!

David

The 3.5L that came in the W140 diesel was known as the "rod bender".

__________________
Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I've heard conflicting things about W140's. Most will tell you to avoid the rodbender diesel. I've also heard quite a few people say to avoid W140's altogether. Others say as long as you get one that has been well maintained and is in good condition, you'll be ok.

Edit: Any particular reason you're getting rid of your 300E?

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

The w140s can be brutally expensive because they are very complex cars; certainly the 3.5 diesel engine ("rod bender") should likely be avoided. My suggestion is that you do what I did at one time - sell the w124 and upgrade to the w210. In terms of drivability, the w210 is light-years ahead of the w124 in terms of comfort and modern conveniences, while repairs-wise they're both in the same ballpark figures. And since you're a videographer, I'd suggest the wagon variant for hauling your stuff - a good w210 wagon can easily be had for under $10,000. Go test drive one.

__________________
- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

I posted a thread regarding the issues I am having with the car. General consensus is a blown headgasket. Here's the link top my symptoms:

'93 300e bogging down.. Misfiring? Oil leak.. And blowing white smoke?!

Also, I am taking a trip to Los Angeles for the summer and when I get back will have a new company. Wise decision would be to sell the car, use the money whilst in LA, and upon my return.. use the business plan to attain a company vehicle. Something that is Mercedes/RELIABLE/classy/comfortable/i.am.picky.haha

Very smart reply, thank you. However, I've heard nothing but unreliable stories regarding the w210's. Have I been misinformed? Basically any model that has been made after Daimler threw in his 2 cents.... if that's the case, should I stay with an 80's model? If so, the 300sd?

Cheers bud.

David

The w210s were designed and assembled in Myanmar.[by 8 year olds.]
(Think about it.)
Spring Perch Failure,Etc.,Etc.,Etc.

The W140 Chassis has it's own nightmares...
Buying one with the 3.5 diesel is Masochism.
If how ever you could remedy all the W140s ills (especially the Electrics) AND
install the OM606 engine [as a few owners have done] You would have the best MB produced in the last 50 years!

__________________
'84 300SD sold
124.128

You're starting a new business? Fix the existing car and worry about a new car later on.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

An S350D would be an especially bad choice for the reasons mentioned. In that class a 95 or 96 short S320 would be a good choice. They are decontented, very reliable, lots of room to work on things, and also get excellent gas mileage.

FWIW, even if I fix the blown headgasket, there are other things that would go wrong with it, that would end up costing (over time) as much as a newer car.

I don't know what to do man.. everyone has an opinion, but I'm looking for facts. What model will last the longest but still retain that charisma you get when you pull up to a client in a Benz..? In my opinion, a '95 c230 wouldn't get my rocks off if I were the client.

I was thinking to wait a year and see goes.

__________________
'07 Yukon 2500
'13 Subaru Outback 3.6R
'13 Orbea Carpe 9-speed

Currently Benzless
Formerly: 300TD, S600, E55, 560SEL

---= The forest breathes, listen.
-Native American elder

Concentrate on the business, heck with the car.


But if you insest I'd look for a 2000-02 E320 wagon or sedan over a W140. Thats about as sorted of a MB as your going to find.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I'm not sure what kind of clients you're after, but a Mercedes may send the wrong message. Many people don't know that an older Mercedes can be cheaper to own and operate than a new Kia. Depending on who your prospective clients are, they might see the Benz and think, "Well, this business must be quite successful to be using a Mercedes as a company car, they must do good work-I want to hire them." On the other hand, the thought process can just as easily go, "Hmm, a Mercedes for a company car. This must be some Gucci-crew outfit that charges ridiculous prices and soaks their customers, I don't trust them."

__________________
Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

Yeah......buy a Hyundai.....

Cheers!

Or, it may be "Look at that awesome 83 300SD!! I love those old diesels!! Hire this guy"

Or, maybe not.

I love my SD

__________________
On some nights I still believe that a car with the fuel gauge on empty can run about fifty more miles if you have the right music very loud on the radio. - HST

1983 300SD - 305000
1984 Toyota Landcruiser - 190000
1994 GMC Jimmy - 203000

https://media.giphy.com/media/X3nnss8PAj5aU/giphy.gif