I'm thinking about getting a 94 or 95 E300D estate/wagon when I move back to the UK later this year. I was wondering if anyone has experience with this car and what it's like?
I have a 300E and while I know the engine performance will be not at all like that car, I had a Peugeot turbo-diesel before, which was sluggish 'till the turbo kicked in and a little strained at high speeds (80mph +), but it did return around 45-50mpg.
How is the E300D on performance- I'm no boy racer but I don't drive like grandpa either so I'm a little wary, wandering how sluggish it is being non-turbocharged? Economy I presume won't be like the Peugeot due to the larger, heavier car and engine size, but is expecting something like 35-40mpg reasonable?
I have a source lined-up for good-condition well maintained examples, so I'm hoping a good one will last me a long time.

Any other advice greatly appreciated.

cheers.

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1993 320TE M104
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past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
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"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys

Do the UK 94 and 95 have the same engine? I'm guessing the 95 has the 606, same as here. Was there a turbo option on the 606 in those years?

Is there a 5-banger OM605 alternative?

Sixto
95 S420
87 300SDL

Not sure about all the engine permutations available in Europe, but I'd personally look for the newest year that came with turbodiesel in an 124 Estate chassis. I think a OM602 turbo would be a nice compromise between acceptable power and the much needed fuel mileage that you'll require over there. I've heard the NA OM606 is also a nice combo of power/economy, but I think turbos are a more efficient package overall.

Sixto,

Yup, there were E250 diesels and E200 diesels with the OM605 and 604 motors, respectively. No turbo OM606 was fitted in the W124. It would be a darn complicated swap... the turbo 606 in the W210 features electronic injection pump controls and a complex IFI control module which oversees the whole deal...

The engine for the late-model E300D is the OM606, there were no turbo-diesels due to the RHD layout apparently- boo!

__________________
1993 320TE M104
---------------------------------------------------
past:

1983 230E W123 M102
1994 E300D S124 OM606 (x2)
1967 250SE W108 M129
1972 280se 3.5 W108 M116
1980 280SE W116 M110
1980 350SE W116 M116
1992 300E W124 M103
1994 E280 W124 M104
----------------------------------------------
"music and women I cannot but give way to, whatever my business" -Pepys