Hi folks,

I've decided if I'm buying an older turbo diesel to buy a '87 300 TD Wagon. There's a few to pick from from 180K through 260K miles in a couple of different colors.

I'm keeping my C43/55 (currently in my sig) so not looking for another 'max performance' MB. Buying it for the storage capacity and fuel economy. Any informed thoughs either pro or con the move is greatly appreciated.

o do you or did you have one?
o did you love it and miss it or were there problems and you got rid of it for a reason other then it was 'old'?
o at 180K - 260K are there things I'm sure to have to fix?
o are there certain things I should look for that are 'problem spots' that should make or break my decision to buy a particular specimen?

again, informed replys greatly appreciated.

much thanx,
-steve

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[ Old 210 E55s never die ... they turn into 202 C55s ][ SpeedyBenz Custom Suspension ][ MBenzNL On Board ]

Awful cars, really. I'd buy each and every one I found, just to have a steady supply of backups and spares.

Problem areas:

--Cracks on the original #14 head
--serpentine tensioners have been known to be problematic
--vacuum pumps need to be updated to latest version...or else.
--early fan clutches should be updated (I still have the original)
--A/C and climate control system are expensive
--Cruise control-like most older MBs-is prone to amp failure
--Sunroofs are tricky and expensive to repair
--self levelling suspension is expensive to repair, but is fairly robust
--rear wheel bearings are said to be a ***** to R&R

LoL ... much appreciated and thanx for the laugh.

So I should read that as you have a love/hate relationship for the car?
...and given your choice of vehicles owned, not necessarily completely dissuading me from buying it?
...but that I should buy one at my own peril?

Thanx again for the the enumeration of items to be aware of.

__________________
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[ Old 210 E55s never die ... they turn into 202 C55s ][ SpeedyBenz Custom Suspension ][ MBenzNL On Board ]

That item list is long and expensive, but in my experienced opinion, it's worth it. I believe these cars are the best wagon ever sold in North America, and frankly, they have all the qualities and features I've wanted in an automobile all my adult life. I try to dis them from time to time, just to depress prices.

My experiences are all from the 99 TE I have (identical except for engine, I believe). Very nice cars -- watch for bad accumulators in the rear SLS -- they tend to go about 180,000 miles or so, and if the car is driven with bad accumulators, the struts also get blown out. Accumulators are cheap, struts are not.

AC evaporator is a huge PITA -- I still don't have mine working correctly (leaks, dont' know where), but doable.

Other than the SLS, they are the same as a sedan -- head goes if overheated (sometimes if not, as well), vac pump can fail and drop bits in the chain, blows up the engine (expensive), but otherwise VERY nice -- lots of power, and I get 29 mpg or better on the highway in my 300D sedan. Wagon will be less, likely, due to lower rear end ratio, but not much. 2.5L wagons (5 cylinder) get better milage, up to 36.

Peter

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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!

Thnx all.

Why -did- MB use such a long gear on the wagon anyway? any ideas? Isn't is it 1:2.62 or something ridiculously long like that? I'd figure the wagon would use a shorter gear to make up for the weight of the load it might carry above what the sedan would normally carry.

BTW, do any of you know the exact length of the car? I think it's around 188in, but I'm thinking it might be longer. Hoping to get an exact length.

__________________
http://images17.fotki.com/v8/photos/...e_fleet-vi.jpg
[ Old 210 E55s never die ... they turn into 202 C55s ][ SpeedyBenz Custom Suspension ][ MBenzNL On Board ]

The sedan is 2.32 or 2.27 -- the only way to get 130 mph out of a 5500 rpm engine with a 1:1 tranny. Also gives much better milage.

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!

oh, my bad. I thought the sedan was shorter gearing. Thanx for correcting me.
-steve

__________________
http://images17.fotki.com/v8/photos/...e_fleet-vi.jpg
[ Old 210 E55s never die ... they turn into 202 C55s ][ SpeedyBenz Custom Suspension ][ MBenzNL On Board ]

Aside from the suspension, look up posts regarding the 300SDLs. Same stuff applies to the 603 motors in both.

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I'm not a doctor, but I'll have a look.

'85 300SD 245k
'87 300SDL 251k
'90 300SEL 326k

Six others from BMW, GM, and Ford.

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