When cruising around in a convertible, you want to be able to step on the accelerator and go, not strategizing your next move and anticipating the green lights if you were to graft the little motor from the 240D.

I like the 6 cylinder OM603 for the additional power, smoothness and economy over the OM617 5 cylinder. If you are concerned about the complexities and side clearances of the turbo hardware an want even better economy, then why not the normally aspirated OM606 from the 95 E300D.

While I like the big 5 seater cabriolets better, donor chassis would be hard to find and expensive, while used 107 SL would be pretty easy and cheap as they imported them for so many years. I would think the motor should fit as they offered 107 SL's with the 2.8 straight 6's ROW.

Of course the cheaper and easier route to getting a drop top diesel would be to find a VW Cabrio and drop in a TDI.

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1970 280SE Cab
1983 300D Euro 4-speed
past MB's:
1971 280SE 3.5 s/r
1981 300D
1985 300TD
1987 300TD

You all are overlooking the most obvious and straightforward Mercedes Benz gas convertible to diesel conversion (except just recently luvthe111)- put a 606 or 603 into a 93-95 124 Cabriolet (300CE or E320). The 606 engine has great torque and moves out, and the 124 has a windscreen behind the front seats to block the back draft of diesel. In my few dreams, this is what I am going to do some day. I have the 95 E300D as my daily driver, and a 93 300CE Cab as the garage queen. I have been watching numerous sources for a 124 cabriolet with a blown engine, or huge mileage for it to be cheaper. One was on ebay recently, but it was too truly ragged even for me to renovate. Yes, it will be rediculously expensive to buy a new 606, or impossible to find a used one, or impossible/expensive to find the donee cabriolet, but some day, friends, you may see me post the pics! Good luck with the other concepts, which are clearly more practicle and likely to happen, dave

I know someone who's made a 220SL. Put a 2.2 liter (4 cylinder?) diesel into a 230SL (W113) body. It's getting near completion, undergoing paint work.

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NOW: 2017 C43 AMG, 2006 Wrangler Unlimited Rubicon, 1966 230SL, 1980 450SL (for sale!)
PAST: 2006 C230, 1997 E300D, 1994 E420, 1994 Neon Spt Cpe, 1984 300ZX, 1983 Celica GT, 1976 Electra Limited, 1984 Honda Nighthawk 650, 1979 Suzuki PE175, 1978 Suzuki DS100
www.mbca.org - www.sl113.org - www.ohio4x4.com

Froggy, Do you get a lot of comment/questions about the smell of your exhaust? It sounds like it would be a real conversation starter.

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" We have nothing to fear but the main stream media itself . . . ."- Adapted from Franklin D Roosevelt for the 21st century

OBK #55

1998 Lincoln Continental - Sold
Max 1984 300TD 285,000 miles - Sold
The Dee8gonator 1987 560SEC 196,000 miles - Sold
Orgasmatron - 2006 CLS500 90,000 miles
2002 C320 Wagon 122,000 miles
2016 AMG GTS 12,000 miles

I didnt know you could geta TDI Beetle Vert....

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91 350SD
14 F150 Eco
19 Fusion Hybrid
11 GT500

The TDi NB cabrio is not sold in the USA...but how 'bout this:

Does your fuel double as aftershave?

Re converstation starter:
I participate in alternative fuel rallies we have here in Seattle and people are definatly interested in the whole thing.
Of course I offer to allow them to snif my exhaust pipe and my what's in my tank.
And yes the smell of WVO exhaust in my hair is a natural aphrodisiac for hippy chicks...
I was talking with my Mercedes mechanic (who's wife recently wrecked her W107 450SL) and he thinks that a 603 would fit nicely due to the long hood and big V8 that is in there already.
A 606 would be difficult due to the electronics involved, something simple like a 617 or 603 would be a better choice, all is required is mounting and fuel and vacuum lines and throttle linkage etc. (no ECM required.)
I too like the 603, my friends 87 300SDL W126 is so smooth with that motor, lots of power. I would think that motor would be a prime canidate.
Found this 380SL for sale for $4500, so they are out there for relitivly cheap:


http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.jsp?car_id=195033028