Previous posted this in the diesel forum but I had no responses, so I decided to try it here!

I was looking to buy a 190D or a 200D W110 body car {Gotta Have Fins !}. My question is how well would it take every day driving? My main purpose would be a 35 mile one way highway commute. I live in Orlando, so weather is never a problem, but heat might be. I was looking for and nostalgic cruiser. (I have a W114 so I don't want a W115) What kind of MPG would I get because it has got to be better that all the rest of my cars. Are these prone to breakdown often? I am a veteran tech and fully set up to provide all maintenance but I don't want to fix it every day to keep it on the road.
Thanks for everyone's input in advance!
Regards,
Bryan

Bryan,
I had a 1961 180b (gas) in the early 70s and kept it running until about 1991. It was never a 'fix every day' car but I never had a 70 mile commute and after 1980 it became a second or third car for me. I'd recommend Finding the best preserved or restored example or at least a low mileage drivetrain before subjecting a 60s diesel to that kind of mileage. If you can stand 4 speed on the column, avoid the automatic. My 180b got about 26 MPG. I'd expect a 60s diesel to exceed 30-35 MPG. My 180b was SLOW (Early VW Beetles would out-accelerate it from stop lights!) but once up to cruising speed, would cruise all day at 65 - 75 MPH. I'd expect a 190D or 200D to be a bit slower. Do you need AC? The Finbacks were the first Benzes to be often availible with airconditioning (usually a dealer installed under dash 'Kuhlemeister' unit made in USA by Thermo-King) but AC will hurt MPG, performance and, ultimately, engine life. (I had this AC in my 180b and it was nice while it lasted!) Personally, if I wanted a diesel commuter, I'd look for a 123 - 240 or 300 but those don't have that nifty column shift or those cool fins!
Good Luck,
Mark DiSilvestro

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DrDKW

Most people who had these (including me) ran them till they died, therefore very few survive in good enough condition to be considered for daily drivers. If you do get lucky and find a keeper, you will find it to be a very primative design, thus easy to repair. Most running parts are still available. Interior trim parts are NLA. I watch the ads for 200D's, but have not seen a good one come up for sale in my area in the last few years.

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Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



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