Reviews on 1990 300d 2.5 Turbo???

[jcd]

I'm thinking about buying one locally that is in great shape with approx. 150,000 miles on it.

I read the old 123/124 post which was very helpful, but I thought I would run this question up the flag pole again.

I never make a false move without polling Mercedesshop members.

Input please,

JCD

[MS Fowler]

Isn't that the one with the 5 louvers in the front part of the right fender?
Reputation is that its a hot rod!

[jcd]

Yes it is, i.e. with the louvers.

JCD

PS, how are things in BelAir. I am responsible for a distribution facility in Joppa. I love the 24 diner. Better than any diner in NJ.

[pmckechnie]

All I can say is I have a 91 300D and love it. It runs very good. I get 33 MPG on trips and mid 20's in town. It has 301K miles on it now. Uses NO oil, and has NO oil leaks.

[jcd]

Many thanks,

I'm seriously thinking of taking the dive.

JCD

[9192benz]

Funny you asked. Been wanting to make my 1st post. Started reading here about 3 months ago. Got the Diesel bug! Bought a "91 & a "92 300D with the 2.5 turbo within the last 30 days. One white/lite gray interior, one black/camel interior. Got interested due to the fact I got a transfer, drive 180+ miles round trip per day now. Wow!!! What a great car to commute in... comfortable and excellent mileage for this size car. I've been driving the black one for 3+ weeks now. Amazing how well the interiors hold-up on these cars. Pick up the white one from the shop tomorrow... in for a new AC compressor, R134 conversion, all fluids changed, few vacuum lines, etc. Too cold for me to do it now. Want it right. Can't wait to get it on the road! For what you can get these cars for now, it's a lot of car for the money. I know there are a lot of post about expense, but you have to be able to do some of the work yourself. Got a receipt with the black one for front brakes by RBM of Atlanta, GA (the DEALER) for $302 done in Jan., 2006. Come on, how much are the parts and how hard is this! I'll drive the white one, and let the wife will have the black. Also have a "90 420 SEL as a backup. It just doesn't give the kind of mileage the 300 does, but it's an excellent riding car. Take the plunge, I don't think you'll be disapointed!

[t walgamuth]

white with the louvers. loved the way it drove and handled. not very quick though. i think it was prob tarred up in the intake. sold it after replacing the blower (i think it was) cost over $600.

went back to 123s. that is when i built up the "ultimate 240" a stick with the na 300 euro engine.

tom w

[DieselJim]

These are great cruising cars. I have a 92. Not as easy to get parts for or as simple to care for as the old 123 and 126 cars but not hard either. I notice the climate control can be a little flakey especially on mix mode. Seems like on mine right now cold blows out the middle and hot on the sides or is it the other way around. Still it is great for my 80 mile round trip commute and my car pool buddies are impressed.

[2.5Turbo]

I love mine, and haven't had one major problem with it since I received it back in August. Only regular oil changes, a little grease to the throttle linkage, a new $2 headlight knob (the old one would come off when you tried to pull it out to activate the fog lights), and a good car wash is all it has needed. Runs great, great mileage (best was 35.5mpg driving from Tacoma to Mt. Rainier and back), and pretty quick once it's up there. A little slow off the line (but pretty much any pre-CDI MB diesel is), but I'm coming off my dad's Volvo S70 turbo (191hp), so I was a little biased when I first drove it. Very smooth ride, and pretty good handling for a car of it's size and weight. The difference in ride quality between the Volvo and the MB were night and day. I drove the Volvo when the 300D was in for an oil change, and it felt like I was riding in the proverbial lumberwagon compared to the MB. But you do have to account for the fact that the Volvo is more of a sport sedan than the diesel MB is, so the Volvo's ride will naturally be stiffer. I like the supportive seats; some people definately have differing opinions on this, I'd drive it for a while if you can before you buy it to see if you like them. The stock radio is pretty good, and considering it was made in 1990 and is aging, it's excellent. Compared to the Volvo, the brakes felt a little under-engineered, but then again some say Volvo brakes are some of the best in the business, so I might be spoiled. Once you get used to them they're fine.

I love all the little features MB thought of when they designed this car. For example, if your sunroof motor dies, there's a little bolt in the trunk you can turn that will close it so your car doesn't get drenched when it rains.

The only things that don't work on my car are the cruise control (can get annoying at times), and the fuel guage sender (when it gets below 1/4 tank it goes to "R".) I can live with these, since I'm afraid to ask how much fixing the cruise control will cost

[jcd]

I'm going to take the plunge.

I'll keep you all posted,

thanks again,

JCD

[duxthe1]

As a 10 year m/b tech I can tell you that the 300D 2.5 is my #1 most desired Benz to own. Unfortunately I don't own one yet.

[Dana B.]

Went on a 300-mile cruise last weekend -- with WOT go pedal, 80-90 mph runs and A/C part of the trip -- and got 32 mpg. 602s have legs, especially when compared to a similarly displaced 240D, with gets a third of the mileage, at half the grunt, with double the noise.

[jcd]

Picked up the car last night and drove her home.

What a great car and in great condition. This is one beautiful car and a dream to drive on the highway.

JCD

[andmoon]

Originally Posted by jcd

Picked up the car last night and drove her home.

What a great car and in great condition. This is one beautiful car and a dream to drive on the highway.

JCD

Congratulations!
When/If the newness wears off think about converting it to run on veggie!