According to Edmunds, the '99 E300D's 0-60 time is 9 seconds while the '97 does it in 12.1 seconds. I've driven both (and I have a non-turbo '96) and there certainly is a big difference in acceleration, but for cruising around town and on flat highways, the non-turbo is more than sufficient. Only on steep inclines around 7000 ft or more did I feel like I could use a turbo.

By the way, the '96 model has the older style vacuum transmission from the W124 and from what I've heard and seen myself, it's a good, reliable design. 1997 was the first model year of the electronic 5-spd one, which can have some issues from what I've heard.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL