PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum - View Single Post

LUVMBDiesels · #11 10-10-2007, 11:51 AM

What you will want depends on how 'big' a car you like driving.

I have an '81 300SD. The car is built like a panzer and is very nice to own. It comes with the turbodiesel so you get that extra 40 hp over the normally aspirated engines. The only potential drawback is that it is a full size car. It does not 'feel' as big as a Buick Roadmaster but it can be tight to parallel part, etc. The upside is a nice sized cabin with plenty of room for five people and a large trunk. The model is the W126. The five cylinder engine went in it from '81 to '85 and then it got the six cylinder engine from '87-'90. From what I have heard, the six is much more tunable to get more horsepower. If you are looking for a smaller sportier car, as if any 1980's diesel could be called sporty, take a look at the W123 300D cars. They have the same turbodiesel five cylinder, but is a mid size car. The drawback is that they can be tight inside and the trunk is smaller. For my needs, which are long commutes and trips the W126 was literally a better fit.

Once you get into the late '80s you will see more electronic controls on the engines. If you want to stay away from that, and I did, stick to the earlier cars. I like the idea of a car that will keep running even if the entire electrical system dies.

As people have said before, take your time and get the best example for the money you can find. Rust is the biggest problem on these cars as everything mechanical can be rebuilt from the heater valves to the air conditioning control unit.

Good luck in your search.