I had some time to scan over the past forum
topics and 91 300D 2.5 has been picked as most desirable diesel. According to specs
2.5 is basically 87 300D six minus one cylinder.Bore & stroke is 87x84 for both engines which is extremely oversquare and shortstroked especially for a diesel considering combustion chambers being so tiny. Anyone who owns/owned these two cars?
Which one is better diesel?

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87 300D 161k
00 S2000
87 944S 89k
99 Yam M/C R6

It's important to know by what criteria one is referenceing when they say it is the best. Maybe they mean it has the highest top speed or is the quietest. When I think best, I'm thinking about reliability and durability.

If long term reliability is what you're looking for, I've seen some posts on this forum that lead me to believe that this is not the most durable Benz diesel ever built.

Good luck,

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Larry Bible
'84 Euro 240D, 523K miles
'88 300E 5 Speed
'81 300D Daughter's Car
Over 800,000 miles in
Mercedes automobiles

I have to throw my two cents in about the best diesel. Having owned a 1985 300SD and a 1992 300D 2.5 I can say easilly the 300D 2.5 was the better car.Although I had no real problems with the SD the D was much better in acceleration ,fuel economy,quietness,drivability,and had the newer amenities such as airbags etc.
Wish I was as pleased with my current 140 S Class diesel...buts thats another story

[This message has been edited by turnne1 (edited 08-24-2000).]

The best diesel is...the VW TDI. Sadly, it's the only diesel available in a passenger car in the US these days, but it's an outstanding engine. I am amazed and disappointed that Mercedes Benz (and BMW and Audi and several other European companies) can not or will not import its newer diesel cars to North America.

I spent a lot of time looking for a good used Benz diesel last year. I really liked a 1987 300SD (turbo six cylinder), but the owner decided he didn't want to sell it. I have heard good things about the 2.5 liter turbo five, but we never found one to drive. I suspect that diesels are probably like gas engines in that the newer they are, the better they work. Clearly, there is no comparison between the VW TDI in my daughter's 1998 Beetle and the 3.0 liter turbo five in our old 300D. Instant starts in any weather, quiet, smooth, no smoke, outstanding power and economy. The TDI, that is!

John R. Boyce
Bismarck, ND

I concur...the VW TDI, Jetta, is an amazing little engine. My sister drove from Savannah Ga to Frederick MD on one tank of gas...2 adults, 2 babies, and a trunk load of gear. That's 600+ miles...40+ miles/gal. And it accelerates too.

I'd like to see what MB could do.

Alec.

I have a 1991 300d 2.5 and I get about 41 mpg, the car has 165K on it and runs like a champ, but I do have to confess that if you are looking for longevity and durability everyone knows the most durable diesels are the 240D and the 300D's (early eighties).

I have a Euro '97 E300Turbodiesel chipped to 200bhp+ and I can only descride it as a Sledgehammer. Have previously had an '81 300D W123 Euro 5cyl. Very frugal, very strong. Sold it with 275k miles. Then a '91 300D W124 Euro 6cyl. A lot thirstier, very quick, very reliable. Sold it with 175k. Choice entirely depends on budget, economy expectations and desire for speed. You are certain to enjoy which ever Benz you buy. In germany today you can have the S400CDI with 245bhp and I'm sure Brabus etc can improve on that. I even hear talk of an AMG version coming soon.

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'97 E300Turbodiesel "Superchip" 200+bhp
'00 A140 Avantgarde Auto
'91 500SEL W126
'66 220SEb Coupe (restoration pending)
'58 180D (restoration underway)

1980 240D auto.

60hp (?) means you have to give yourself all the time in the world the watch the scenery go by. Something few of us make time for these days.

I just drove VW TDI. Nice,Quiet, No smoke.
I am sure it will get 40+mpg. But I've noticed some vibration at idle. I don't think It's faster than my 300D turbo. Now I am looking forward to see new C270D to be imported to U.S.(170hp Commonrail direct Injection Turbo).

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87 300D 161k
00 S2000
87 944S 89k
99 Yam M/C R6

Hello again from a Very Long Sabatical so long I dont even know if I spelt that word right....

You have really got to think about this question and what you have been exposed to, I am on my 7th diesel, 3rd benz, 3 v.w's and 1 cummins.

Currently I have a 98 300 Turbo-Diesel, and folks dont kid yourselfs here, the 98 and 99 are flat out the most incredible engines ever put in a benz period.

These cars will go down as the most sought after diesels ever, especially if benz doesnt bring any over.

If you want power, look no further.
Reliability?, we will have to wait and see, but my 84 VW turbo-diesel, is a hard act to beat, 310K never touched the engine.

But then again, it couldnt really move either compared to the 300, didnt feel rock solid, didnt corner, didnt have air, didnt....

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Chris Ecklund
98 300 DT

Chris,

Did they import a wagon version in '98 with that diesel?


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-Mike
'87 300TD Turbo

Good to see you're back, Chris. If you ever want to sell your E300, e-mail me I'm on my third diesel, and I'll bet yours is a sweeet car. Well detailed too, I trust.

Anyway, I'll vote for the M617 5 cylinder turbodiesel engine, and any of the cars MBZ put it into. It's a hard-to-beat car in the $5,000 range.

As an alternative to newer cars, I compare my experience of replacing shocks, etc. into my 14 year old SD to a friend putting a new engine for $3k + in a new Nissan Sentra.

I should post pics of my car, if anyone wants to see a brilliant silver 84 SD...I'll probably end up attaching questions to the pics.

Robert W. Roe
1984 300SD 171K mi

[This message has been edited by Robert W. Roe (edited 08-28-2000).]