I’m not sure how one defines “good”, but I’d have to say that with 338,000 miles on her, mine is still amazingly “good”. Recently did the head gasket & valves; you could still see the factory honing marks in the bores. This engine only had minimal servicing by the PO including oil changes at 7,500-mile intervals. (Per factory recommendations – ugh.) It was primarily all freeway mileage that accumulated on the car however.

If you like your small displacement turbo four-bangers, then you will find similarity to this engines’ driving characteristics, at least as far as you can compare a diesel to a gas burner. Not a lot of low-end torque. It likes to rev (again, it’s relative – it likes to rev compared to other diesels) in order to make power. Where my 617 has more low & midrange torque, that engine runs out of breath where this one starts opening up it’s lungs. It just loves to dive for 5000 RPM’s all day long. And talk about smoooooth… Yes, it’s a sweet engine. And if it’s attached to a 124, it’s a sweeeet package.

The only thing better would be to find a wrecked 98 or 99 E300D & Frankenstein the turbo engine & trans into my 124 – now that would be fun! (Provided I could eliminate all the OBD-2 garbage from it, that is...)

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Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.