i found 87 300d and 87 190d 2.5 turbo both mint condition with low miles...is this a good year for mercedes diesel...what do i need to look for i heard something about overheating in 300d...also 190d is one owner car so the price is high....300d ac doesnt blow cold air thru center vents...im just trying to get best help before i invest my money into it...i need to know good and bad...i did my google search and this year seems to be the best but again i drive a dodge diesel dont know to much about them...thanx for all help

i hope i have it posted in right section if not sorry...

There's a Diesel Discussion forum to help you.

Here is some guidance for checking an '87 300D - 1992 300D Turbo Diesel Recommendation . Most of it applies to the 190D as well except the 190D head isn't as prone to cracks when overheated. Overheating can still mess up or kill a 190D.

1987 can be the best or worst year for the 300D and 190D and it won't matter beans since it's the only year these cars were sold in the US. The 300D resurrected in the 90-93 model years as the 300D 2.5 which is bascially the '87 300D with the '87 190D 2.5 turbo engine. It's an enjoyable car once you convert to pressure boost control.

If body style, amenities and options aren't important to you, get the car in better condition. The other car will cost you more in the long run.

Sixto
87 300D^2

What kind of miles and numbers are we talking about?

87 300d 120000 3900....87 190d 2.5 turbo 70000 8500....sixto thanks for help

Both very low miles considering. Do you have access to service records? Are both available for a PPI?

Sixto
87 300D^2

ok on 300d little bit of paper work so im gonna have a mechanic check it....87 190d this one has it all...from original window sticker untill now its one owner car...300d center air vents no air and transmission shifts weird speedo shows 40 you are going 50mph and guy sounds very honest he already told me that...other then that brand new paint job brand new tires and heead lights...i dont know if is gonna be easy fix but sounds to me it could be expensive...thanx

The 'no air through the center vents' is a common problem on the 124 body, but I cannot remember what the cause is. If you will do a search for this I am sure you will turn up a lot of info, though, because almost every 124 has this problem sooner or later.

The 1987 300D has a problem in that if the head cracks there is just no fixing it and you will need a new one. You might want to price one of these before you buy the 1987. I have also heard that the turbos that year had a recall issued, but a quick check with Mercedes can confirm this. You will need the VIN and a dealer can tell you everything that was ever done to the car if it was done at a dealer. Like a recall item.

The 2.5 is a good engine but the vacuum pump needs to be replaced at about 150,000 miles. This is an easy job but the part is about $250 or so. The head gaskets on these tend to let go at about 210,000 miles, or so I have been told by several Mercedes mechanics. Repair on this is about $3,500.

If I were you I would take what you have learned here and then repost the question in the Diesel discussion area. And don't forget to bring up the 'no center vent air' problem there.