Hello:
I am a Diesel afficionado from Southern California, own a really nice '80 300SD and an even nicer '85 300CD (with only 46K miles and leather). Both cars have--as most of you might know--the old iron 3-liter, 5-cylinder Turbodiesel engine, rated at 120 horsepower.
Looking for a newer sedan, I today test-drove a '95 E300 Diesel with the 3-liter, 6-cylinder non-turbo 24V engine, rated at 134 horsepower.
Although the newer car is more powerful and lighter than both of my older Diesels, it felt to me that take-off from a complete stop takes longer. The engine is not as noisy, smooth, but doesn't have the bite I expected. I have to say that it has already 128K miles, but has been serviced "open checkbook" to this day, fully documented.
I was wondering if some of you might have driven the old Turbodiesels and the new generation non-turbos and have experienced the same or something totally different. Generally I would guess that the more powerful engine should have a better performance than the 14hp less powerful one but maybe the electronics and Mercedes' attempt to save fuel (38mpg versus 28mpg) might have something to do with it. Who knows?