I’ve been looking to make a diesel vehicle run on b99 as my daily driver on a 20 mile daily city driving commute.

I just “committed” to the ’87 190d 2.5 TD I bought on Labor Day by having the tranny rebuilt by a great local independent just last week.

However, not being able to let well enough I alone, I continued looking and stumbled on a ’96 e300d, took it to same shop for a PPI today.

Two weeks ago I would have taken the ’96, no brainer. I’d been looking since July and honestly hadn’t been able to find the right combination of price, condition, mileage, etc.

96 e300d – “Good deal” on a real nice car that I can drive for a while
• Asking $7,400 (KKB) – appears negotiable
• 132,000 - Blue opal, gray MBTX
• 2nd owner, bought after 29,000 while still under warranty
• Dealer serviced, service records
• Needs $800 in body work for minor scrape along drivers side (not that noticeable)
• Mechanical great - Recommended by technician and shop manager after PPI
• Newer fuel lines are supposed to be biodiesel friendly
• First year of new chassis, problems? More “computers”
• 606 engine, no turbo = good for city
• Growing a business, no technical background = don’t mind having it serviced by the indie

87 190d - I can drive cheaply and have fun doing it for the next couple of years
• $3,200 - invested since September purchase price, transmission rebuilt, DS window motor replacement, registration
• 214,000 - Silver smoke, burgundy MBTX
• I purchased from 2nd owner who bought @ d’ship @ 125k
• Service records, dealer and indie service
• “Rare” – evidently only year of 2.5 TD in model
• Needs AC work, I would like to replace driver seat springs
• Need to replace original rubber hosing to run b99
• Sure would be fun to learn to work on cars

I don't think I can recoup on my investment. Maybe I should just ride it out for a while, it is a fun car.

I figure the difference between the 2 is about $4,000.

I’ve noticed folks have all sorts of opinions on all sorts of things -
• Biofuels
• New vs. old – chassis, ease of DIY, reliability, handling, etc.
• When things go out
• How expense to fix
• Valuations
• Fuel Economy

Do you think it’s worth it? Is the grass always greener?

mmm.. thats a tough one.. i never really considered the W201 a mercedes... but ive read about glow plugs getting stuck in the 606 head... owners of each will chime in

Oh man, the 190 just gets no respect. It's kind of ironic that Bruno Sacco calls the 190 his best design. Look a little closer at the w201. It's got some pretty awesome proportions and lines. I still like my 123 better though.

My advice would be to stay with the 190D. That year is supposed to be rare and a great performer. The ultimate utilitarian transportation with a little bit of performance thrown in. Cost of ownership should be much less.

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

i would consider the 201 as much of a Mercedes as the 202 or 203, but i see where you are coming from, the 201 was pretty brave for mercedes at the time. glad it worked out though as its led to an amazing bloodline. as far as "real mercedes" go. i once met a real snob who didnt consider the 260e he was trying to sell for his sister a real Mercedes either guess its all a matter of perspective. as far as the choice goes i would buy the newer car if it looks good but convert the older car as its easier to work on and if god forbid something goes wrong down the road then you have the new car to fall back on. the 210 has a pretty good track record from what i understand but didnt have the solid feel of some early Mercedes. any problems from the first year would probably have been sorted throughout the years by the cars previous owners as there were several major recalls if im remembering correctly

__________________
E30 B25
126.036
123.130 with 616-Frankenbenz (sold)
124.030-Greyhound (sold)
124.030-Schnauzer (sold)

DERP DERP

if i had to chose.. id go with the 201... probably alot cheper/easier to work on than the 606 powered beast