Please don't say one year.
I have heard many times that the '85 is the best engine year of this vintage, and I am just curious why it would excel those made one year or two earlier than that....

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

The rear differential is geared a little better for interstate cruising in the '85 and the transmission vacuum controls are a little more improved providing for a better shifting. There may be more - I'm just not aware of them.

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Jim

'85s are sopposed to have a tighter Torque Converter so I heard somewhere.

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46 WDX Power Wagon

84 300TDT daily driver

My father is offereing to let me have his 1983 300 Turbo Diesel, which is great. Anyone familiar with this year and what do you know about it?

the '85 also uses a different transmisson, to go with the higher stall spec on the torque converter. That, coupled with the vacuum controls that are specific to the '85 make it shift different than the earlier 300D's. I have heard several people say that the '85 transmissins are not as robust as the previous ones. But I had a transmission failure in my pre-85 300TD, so it can happen to any of them so don't NOT buy a '85 because of that info, its just that they are different and being fewer '85s available at the wrecking yards, parts can be a little more difficult to find but mostly the transmission which is different so hopefully no one will ever need one (they can normally be rebuilt unless the valve body cracks BTDT.
Some '85s also had the nasty trap oxidizer in the exhaust line and not all of them have been converted to bypass the thing. That is the minus that I would say is attributed to the CA '85 OM6517 diesels. A positive factor is that CA has less rust than many places, so finding a rust free car should be the top concern when looking at or for any older Mercs.
My Stable is full!
1971 220 (gas) 4-spd manual 106441
1979 300TD w/ ’85 turbo engine 296650
1983 300D 243280
1985 300TD 223470
1987 300D 262300

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'95 E320 Wagon my favorite road car. '99 E300D wolf in sheeps body, '87 300D Sportline suspension, '79 300TD w/ 617.952 engine at 367,750 and counting!

IMHO, "conventional wisdom" holds that the '85 is the latest one, and thus is considered to be the most desireable.

An '85 will cost you more money - sometimes a lot more - to purchase, in general, than an '84 or an '83 in the same condition.

I think the best "bang for the buck" is probably an '84. Everybody with an interest in W123 diesels who has money burning a hole in their pocket is looking for an '85. Not an '84. Dropping back a model year will still get you a nice car that may well last longer than most cars on the road today.

Just my $0.02.

- Patrick

PS - have you thought about a 240D? Sort of the same logic holds for '83 vs '82 240D...

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1982 240D. 198k, Marine Blue/Blue, 4 Speed, Crank Windows, No Sunroof, No Rust, No Oil Leaks
2001 TDI. 197k, Lagoon Blue/Black, 5 speed, Chip, G60/VR6

I have thought about a 240, I want a stick!
But it would be a drop in power for me...
I sure am used to 5 cylinders....
even though my beast is non-turbo, she gets up and goes!

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

Those 240D's are nice and less maintenace, but that "Turbo" in the 300's are so much better with that extra "kick".

one day, a turbo stick!
guess I'm gonna have to make it myself...

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Think Alternative Energy!
300CD '80 (now gone but not forgotten...)

Hello Dieseldiehard, you are indicating that the '84 300D has a lower stall than the '85 300D. Will an '84 Torque converter fit into an '85. I would prefer a lower stall in my '85. My converter seal is leaking because the output shaft is out of round and will need to be replaced.

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'96 C220 138,000mi, '95 E300D 239,000 mi., '87 300TD 214,000mi '88 6.2 Turbo Diesel Chevy Conversion Van 253,000 mi.

which is better...the 82 or the 83??

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

I didn't think there was any substantive difference between a 82 and 83 240D.

have both 82 and 83s. i prefer the 83s, but there is not much dif. a little better on rust i think. and it has the dome light that stays on for a little while and a power right side mirror. that is about all the differences that are substantive. that i know of.

tom w

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

Criky, yes, I forgot competely that 82 was the last year for the Van Goghed side mirrors.

I hardly ever drive on the highway so I never use my side mirror. When I do I usually have to adjust it.

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1982 240D.
My name is Michael, and I am an 18 year old binge-drinkin', cigar-smokin', novel-writin', all around unsavory and unnattractive guy. I tell long-winded stories, and I only shave once a week, although I've had to do it every day since I was 16.

That's about all I've noticed too. The 83 has the new type of seat belts (doesn't matter) and the black air inlet grills, instead of chrome (which I don't like as well).