I originally bought this car because I really liked my 300D. I thought the SD would be soo much better. And it is. I bought the car for practical reasons.
I was travelling 80 miles one way to work, and diesel fuel was inexpensive (remember those days?)
I have loved her every minute but the truth is I don't drive her like I used to. Now it is just short trips to work and back.

I was thinking of selling her for one of three cars.
1) BMW 7-series (v-12)
2) 400E
3) Pontiac Gran Prix GTP

The 400 is at the top of the list. I really want to stick with MB and I want v8 performance. I am not sure on the reliability of the BMW. I have to put a little more research into it.
I do love the 400E though!!!!!!!!!!

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Um, er, if you want performance, I'd vote for the 900SS

I had a 900SS Final Edition a few years ago. It was a fascinating piece of machinery, but not what I'd call 4-season...

Nothing runs like a Duck...

Best Regards,
Jim

P.S. My real vote is a 400E...

Yeah, I'd like to know too please.

B

Well the 400E would be the most reliable, the GM is FWD so their for is crap. Not to mention you would lose tons in depreciate like a rock.

Now if you do want a V12 and everyone should get one in their lives, the 750's are pretty cheap. But from what I understand they are not as powerful or as long lived as MB's 12. Personally I think an S600 is a better car all around. Their have been a few nice clean ones in the paper for low $20k's.

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

I like your two choices out of the three.

Out of all the GM's do not get a Pontiac, thats IMO.
V-12, is hella big engine. But I would say 400E.

How much for that SD?

I hate to bring it up just for that reason. How much seems to be the big question. My wife hates the idea of me selling so she asks the same thing.

I don't know. Back in the summer of '02 we were at a filling station when another Benz owner pulled up. He was driving a 300D turbo. He caught site of my car and gave her a good look over. Under the hood, inside all 4 doors and in the trunk. I gave him a quick low down on the car and he asked if it was for sale. I said "I don't know" Because at the time I didn't want to sell I just threw out the first figure that came to my head. ($4500) This was before the eurolight conversion and the new wheels.
He looked at me and asked if I wanted cash. I just about fell over because I expected him to walk away.

Anyway, I kept his business card in my pocket up until 3 months ago. I never thought about selling her before. I am really undecided right now. I think a decent 400E can be had for around $5-$7k. One that needs a little TLC that is.

I have just been weighing the pros and cons of my SD more and more lately.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

1) Pontiac Gran Prix GTP

I don't care what you guys say. This car is cool. 2 door of course. I like the looks and the performance. You can play with these things and get nearly 300hp. Long term reliability is not there, as well as resale value. Not really a good long term car.

2) BMW 7-series (v-12)

Like I said, haven't done much research yet. v-12 makes good power and the handling is far better than the SD for a big car. Good resale value and a well built car.

3) 400E

I don't think I have to say anything about this car. Longevity is there as well as build quality. (not quite as much so as the SD) A super handler and performer. Not afraid to buy one with over 100,000 miles.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

But the GM is fwd with a V8! I wonder how well it could drive?

Do lots of research before buying a 750. They have no resale in my area, nice clean examples can be had for way less than $10k. But they are not for the faint of wallet. From my understanding of them BMW's 12 is not as long lived as MB's is. They require expensive $15k rebuilds at around the 120k mark. Also they don't make much more power than say a M119. I think in the low 300 range. Chip a 400E and maybe an exhuast and headers you should be real close power wise. If you are looking for a fun performance sedan take a look at the 500E's. It will be faster than the BMW but probably a little cheaper to keep going.

I like the 7 series BMW's and have been looking into the late 90's 740IL's. But I am finding they are just like the W140's. As far as sedans go here is what I have found, listed from most reliable to least:
LS400/430
1995+ XJ6/8
W140s and 740's seem to be tied at the bottom.

Also be carefull of parts costs, V12 parts tend to cost a lot more. Everyone should own a 12 at least once in their life, their is nothing like a V12. But do research and know what your getting into.

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

Let me get this straight - You are selling the 300SD because of the high fuel prices. - Correct?
Then you say you want to buy one of 3 cars, each of which will get worse fuel economy (in terms of $ per mile) than the 300SD. - Correct?
AND they will cost more to keep on the road than the 300SD - Correct?
AND they will depreciate faster than the 300SD - Correct?
AND SWMBO is not keen on selling the 300SD - Correct?

You will miss the W126 moving into a W124. But, IMHO there is no nicer W124 than an M119 V8 equipped version.

Nothing beats that feeling merging onto the highway and activating kickdown. 2nd gear shifts into third at 85 mph, as you see cars that were traveling faster than you starting to zoom backwards. In a blink of an eye, triple digit speeds are breached like nothing.

One thing to watch out for with these engines is to not underestimate their potential. You could accidentally barrel into someone, because the M119 wants to propel you well past 155 mph.

__________________
1987 300SDL (324000)

1986 Porsche 951 (944 Turbo) (166000)

1978 Porsche 924 (99000)

1996 Nissan Pathfinder R50 (201000)

The Pontiac is a supercharged V6.

I think the only one that will not depreciate in value is the 400E.
They all would probably get about the same fuel mileage and diesel is up now so it would be cheaper to run the other cars. Excpet the BMW.

__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R

Don't forget that the better gas mileage of diesels more than offsets the difference is cost at the pump.

Friend of mine recently "upgraded" from a '86 420 SEL to a '94 740iL. The thing he really upgraded was his expenses and repair costs. And he owns his own repair Shop First his radio broke - $850 for a face plate. Recently his trunk latch broke and he was hesitant to dig into it because the electrical schematic was so complex. Called the dealer and they could not get him in for 2 weeks so he took a chance and it worked out fine. I almost bought a 740 about 4 years ago and am real glad I did not. I was real turned off from BMW about 8 years ago when I looked at a new one to lease and they told me that the first 15K service would cost over $1500 min.

__________________
Alan Hamm
'87 300SDL 277K Miles
'89 560 SL 68K Miles