Hello all,

I currently have a 1985 300SD Turbo. I picked it up because I am 6'6" tall and it fits me. I'm using this as a cheap training vehicle to help me learn how to fix and maintain diesel engines.

My question to the group is, what diesel MB models between 1990 and 1999 would fit a guy my size?

And is there a diesel mechanic night school in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area?

newbie takes a stab.

Was the E320D around the 98 era?

I seem to remember that being a pretty roomy car... the gas version was an e320 I think and that was a really nice car, guy I work with had one when I first started here 8 yrs ago.... nice car back then.

An E-class might be a squeeze for 6'6, I'm a foot shorter(actually 10", but still...) and the w123 that I assume is larger than the w210 fits me just right.

I couldn't drive a w201-- wee tiny, especially considering the short wheelbase and oldschool not cab-forward engineering.

They did make the w140 SD in 1992-1995(the years might be off) but it has that menacingly unknowable rod bending problem that might cost you 10 grand, and might not. Most aren't willing to take that risk.

The e300d might be your newest option-- w210 cars are like camrys... you can find them on buy here pay here lots if you just want to sit in one and see! It'll be a gas version, but with the premium we're paying for diesel, the mileage is a wash as to which is cheaper-- Gas w210s go 200k fairly readily, and with the pricing difference, mileage and all calculated... the e320 may be a better buy.

__________________
http://i68.photobucket.com/albums/i1...Untitled-1.jpg

think S class 6' 5" 340 with a daughter just as heavy and still nice and roomy

__________________
commercial fisherman diesel in my blood in my boats trucks and Dear old Dad has had me drivin them since i got my first license in 1968
1986 300 SDL 427654
1999 Chevy Crew Cab Dually 225423
1986 300 SDL 287000 Dad's
1987 190 Turbo 158000 Mom's (my inheritance)

As iNeon says, sit in any 96-01 E320 and see if it's a good fit. A 96-97 E300 Diesel or 98-99 E300 turbodiesel has the same body but will cost twice as much as a gasser in the same condition. Get a 210 Diesel if you like Diesels but not to save money. You'll pay everything you'll save up front.

Also sit in any 92-94 300SE or S320. Same body as the 92-93 300SD and 94-95 S350. It better fit because they don't come any bigger. I hope you learn a lot from your current ride because chances are there'll be a lot of call to service that monster. I have a 93 and I'm in the midst of fitting a more reliable 3.0 block in place of the bent rod 3.5 it came with.

Sixto
93 300SD

personally i think any benz will have about as much room in the front seat. now if you are a wide body like me, the smaller benzes will not be quite as wide as the larger ones but i think the legroom is probably the same on all of them. or nearly so.

tom w

__________________
[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.

I'm 6'5" and can fit in the '97 E300 fine. It's the gett'n and gett'n out that's the problem

__________________
97 E300D 103,000 mi - Mobil 1 Delvac 5W40
87 E300D 145000 mi - Rotella 15W40
05 2500 Duramax 27,000 mi - Rotella 15W40
“You’ve got the using kind of religion, not the meeting house kind” - Rev. Pile

I'm almost 6'7" and fit wonderfully in my 124 without modifications.

The 210 seems a bit tighter to me than the 124.

In my 123 I didn't need to modify it, but I actually put spacers under the front of the seat rails just to tilt the bottom cushion some more; this gives better thigh support.

__________________
Current rolling stock:
2001 E55 183,000+ Newest member of the fleet.
2002 E320 83,000 - The "cream-puff"!
1992 500E 217,000+
1995 E300D 412,000+
1998 E300D 155,000+
2001 E320 227,000+
2001 E320 Wagon, 177,000+

Prior MBZ’s:
1952 220 Cab A
1966 300SE
1971 280SE
1973 350SLC (euro)
1980 450SLC
1980 450SLC (#2)
1978 450SLC 5.0
1984 300D ~243,000 & fondly remembered
1993 500E - sorely missed.
1975 VW Scirocco w/ slightly de-tuned Super-Vee engine - Sold after 30+ years.

i have done this too. but not for the same reason. i am 5' 8 but have relatively long arms (think neanderthal) so tilting allows me to get my arms further away from the wheel and enjoy lying back a bit.

tom w

__________________
[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.

From my personaly experience I can tell you that the 87 300 D I have is not for larger people. Honestly I'm probably too big for it. I'm 6' tall and have plenty of leg room but its the shoulders that get me. I rub on the doorpost while sitting in the car. I wear a 50" sport coat and have fairly square broad shoulders but still I'm by no means a huge guy. Little tighter than I would really enjoy, hoping the low price paid and the fuel mileage will make me smile about it.