Euro Spec. 200D (W114) Found

[SoCalBomb]

Well, i'm still looking for an alternative to my "69 280S, since it's a gas gussler.

Today I saw and test drove a '75 200D. The car was totally euro spec.; euro lights, no AC, a Manuel. The car is in great conditon. No rust anywhere. Intrior has almost no sign of wear. It runs good, everything works, no odd sounds. Seals seem good.

Obviously, its not a fast car, but I think I can manage since its a stick. My question is.. is this a rare car (I'm assuming a euro spec. would be)? And the pros/cons of the W114 model.

Thanks

[300SDog]

Often these cars are valued by features...... stuff like stick shift, sunroof and factory 2-tone paint can make them uncommon.

The 114/115 has larger trunk space, better center console, more spacious interior, better steering box, probably better handling characteristics and a more 'junk-free' engine compartment than later 123's.

Weaknesses include center support bearing, wheel bearings, undercarriage propensity for rust, inaccessible heat blower motor and seats that collapse and cave-in...... also, the gas cap located next to license plate is notorious for throwing pump nozzles onto the ground, spraying fuel all over the place.

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Last edited by 300SDog; 09-06-2003 at 09:11 AM.

[Mark DiSilvestro]

As the '75 200D wasn't officially imported, any parts specific to that model (lights, bumpers etc...) might be harder to find, otherwise, if it's in great shape and the price is right, I'd go for it.
Keep in mind that many 220D/240D versions were sold here, with more power and options (and big 5 mph bumpers on the 240D) Those were also availible with a stick-shift and are still fairly common and relatively cheap. (But, with rising fuel prices, that could change!)

Happy Motoring, Mark

[joshhol]

SoCal,
That should be a W115.
W114's were either body style with the I-6 gasser.

[SoCalBomb]

hey, i'm just reporting what I recall seeing, I don't have a bias for or against the 114 or 115, I simply remember seeing 114.

And If somebody wants to bet I'll take a picture.

[nachi11744]

Hello,
A 200D will be very slow, but on a W115 at least you can drive everywhere at or near full throttle with no need to slow down for corners and such.......only limitation is how fast you can twirl the 4.5 turns lock to lock manual steering.
My daily driver (not in USA, though) ia a 1976 W115 200 gasoline and it certainly has the measure of modern traffic conditions and shrugs off poor roads without rattling my fillings ! Drawbacks are windnoise at speed and the relative rarity of trim and body specific parts.
I have just fixed the trip meter on mine with parts from two other speedos from scrapped W115s, but the clock will never work because the previous *specialist* decided that if he could not fix it, nobody else could either (the arrogance) and broke one cogwheel from the clockwork mechanisim.
If you can live with the lack of performance, a W115 diesel is a tough piece of machinery.