I am hoping to secure a new job very soon. The outlook is good, and that is good, except for the commute I would be facing. Roughly 130 miles round trip. My current commuter won't cut it, as it is getting old, and only gets 20mpg. What would you recommend? i'd like to keep it under $5k and am unsure of diesel in winter and performance. I have a '76 240D, but it stays in the garage except for nice sunny days. I am looking towards the advice of the internet. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Models I am currently considering:

300E
260E
190E 2.6
190D 2.5
300SD
300SDL

Nothing wrong with 65 miles each way.. as long as it isn't in bumper to bumper traffic!

Any of those will work nicely. The diesels will get better milage, of course, but the turbos suffer from traction problems if you don't use very light throttle.

Unless you live in northern Maine or the "top tier" states, cold starting on the newer ones in good condition won't be a problem. Just drive very gently until the temp guage moves and you will be fine. Use synthetic oil in all of them, anyway.

The W124 chassis is much more comfortable that the W201 if you are tall or large -- I've seen a VERY large guy drive a 190, but I think it would be too small for me. The W126 is, of course, choice #1 for comfort, but it's not the most agile car on ice and snow. Need snow tires if you get much snow.

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

This will be driven primarily in Northern Illinois. Also, I'm not that big. 5'10" 220lbs, so I know I can fit in a 190E

I would suspect they are too hard to find, but a 2.2 with a manual trans would be my choice. I like the slightly simpler layout of the non-turbo 4cyl, a bit more room to work, and no crossover manifold in the way, and no turbo system or A/T to deal with. Mine gets around 40mpg when its babied, and flat out flogged it never drops below 36 mpg Hwy. A block heater, synthetic, and maybe wiring the glow plugs up for manual afterglow for the real nasty days. Some tires along the lines of Bridgestone Blizaks go a long ways toward keeping traction on ice and snow. (I expect there is something that has surpassed the Blizaks, but since leaving Oregon for Texas I no longer need to stay abreast of such things.) The only thing that I would really miss over my 87 300D would be the airbag. As much as I like "arriving" in my 300Dt, I actually enjoy driving the 190D more, it just does not have near the panache of the 124 bodied car, but the 190 sure seems to require less maintenance/money to keep it rolling. Not sure how much traction is an issue, but cheap fwd car will run circles around any rwd Benz on ice or snow.

' All season' in ' Chicago' ? I would say a Subaru four wheel drive....

If you have long stretches where you can stay in top gear, the 5-spd 190 series is not to be missed. At 65 in 5th gear just about all you hear is a hissing sound from the tires.

OTOH, the airbag in my 190 'deployed' one day for no reason. In case you've never seen this, I should explain that it is inflated by an explosive gunpowder device, maybe black powder if the amount of smoke is any guide.

The car has been a lot of fun but I'll never forget THAT day.

Beat ya - I have a 130 mile commute. I used to have a 240D 4-speed that was fine except I felt it was too noisy at speed and I longed for more power. I averaged 30 mpg all year round and the car was very reliable.

But after driving my 300SD, I don't think I'll go back. I get 25-27 mpg, but I'm much more comfortable and feel even safer due to the size. At 60, I can barely hear the engine, but only the gasser guys know how quiet these cars are without engine noise. The difference in power is amazing, though I rarely use it.

__________________
1984 300Sd 210k

Former cars:
1984 300D 445k (!!) (Strider) Original (and not rebuilt) engine and transmission. Currently running on V80 ( 80% vegetable oil, 20% petroleum products). Actually not, taking a WVO break.
1993 300d 2.5 275k. Current 120/day commuter
1981 300SD 188k (Hans) Killed by a deer

Buy a W126 and enjoy the ride. An SDL would probably get around 30mpg.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I would have to agree, nothing can beat a Subaru in bad winter driving conditions.

Subaru: My Outback has been more reliable than the 190e 2.6
A friend has a early/mid 90's impreza 2.2 5spd with over 200k and
has had no problems. The awd does hurt the MPG though.

I would not and cannot recommend driving and old MB in the winter. Not that they are RWD mind you, any idiot can master that with a little training. I simply hate the idea of subjecting MB's, especially old ones, to the ravages of winter road salt. I suppose if you insist then at least get one thats already too rusted to save. On the topic of AWD my family used to own a VW Quantum Synchro wagon. 5cy, 5speed, AWD. Had a knob on the center console, one click up locked the center diff, two clicks locked all three. Unbelieveable in winter. RT

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

I've thought for some time that it'd be nice to locate a Syncro 5spd wagon, then transplant in a 1.9L tdi engine. That would be a nice winter rig to run opposite my 300TD in the warmer months--though we only experience inclimate conditions a few days each year up here in the rainy NW.

Zeitgeist,
You read my mind! Only problem I see is the Quantum synchro we had was geared low. Turned almost 4K at 70mph. Likely a little much for the TDI, RT

__________________
When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

If you want a reliable car that rides good is safe and will go in snow and the upkeep is minimal, then by all means get a HONDA. you won't regret it. My wife drives an older accord gets 28 mpg combined city and highway goes in snow like a goat. and except for changing oil and filter and a timing belt which I did my self and 3 exhaust systems second two warrantied by Auto zone, 4 sets of brakes also with lifetime warranty.and trany fluid change. nearly 200000 trouble free miles. Best car we have ever known. Forgot tires and spark plugs also.