Heres an idea: Many MB models have pros and cons so for most there is no "perfect" Mercedes. There always seems to be room for an improvement. So if you could assemble all the parts from various cars, MB and otherwise, what would make the "perfect" German diesel? I would really like to see a nice slick shifting 5speed like a Borg Warner T5 or Tremec behind a 617 turbo. Or maybe a GM 4L60E automatic with its overdrive and lockup converter.

Combo 1:
124 Chassis
617 turbo w/intercooler
Borg Warner T5 5speed
240D manual climate control

Combo 2:
BMW mid 90's 3 series chassis (I liked the way they handled)
617 turbo w/intercooler
Borg Warner T5 5speed
Manual climate control

Combo 3:
123 Chassis
Rack and pinion front steering conversion
617 turbo w/intercooler
GM 4L60E automatic (lockup converter and overdrive)
240D manual climate control

Just a few ideas....
RT

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When all else fails, vote from the rooftops!
84' Mercedes Benz 300D Anthracite/black, 171K
03' Volkswagen Jetta TDI blue/black, 93K
93' Chevrolet C2500HD ExCab 6.5TD, Two-tone blue, 252K

W124
OM606 turbo with holset HX35 and intercooler
sportline suspension
AMG body kit
leather palimino
short shift 5-speed

wait thought of more.

limited slip diff

__________________
Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

Biggest POS ever made. Around a 40% RPM drop between the 1-2 shift. lol Go with a 200-4R. Better gearing (closer) and still lock up. Or a 4L80E, bit taller OD and much closer ratios yet 1st gear is a bit tall in the 2.4x:1 range.

But you're onto the right area... lockup converter would be a HUGE difference for these.



Also - why no love for the S-class diesel?

I'd run a '91 SDL, 3.29L stroker, sequential turbo, five speed 722 w/ lockup, 3.27:1 rear diff, SLS, black on maroon w/ goofy options like mine, FOUR place seating too.

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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.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

'95 S300D with OM 606, sequential turbo, five speed 722 w/lockup, 3.07 gears, Black on Palomino.

I'm almost tempted to start searching for one in Europe............the costs of getting it here, and certifying it.............

I'd go with Combo 3, except substitute the 700R4 Transmission.

My combo:
Volkswagen V10 TDI Intercooled
Tuareg AWD transmission and running gear
123 Chassis
Stripped interior with racing buckets, full cage, full instrumentation.
Oil slick nozzles, smoke generator, nail dispenser, .50-cal brownings up front

Kidding.

In reality, just a clean 123 with a 617 intercooled, propane injected to keep the fuel system stock, fire suppression system with a CO2 nozzle built into the intake for runaway.

__________________
1978 Ford F-150 351M
2002 Kia Spectra 1.8l 5-sp
1985 Volkswagen Scirocco 8V 1.8l 5sp
1985 MB 300D Turbo California

"Die Natur verabscheut Vakuum"

Ah yes, didnt know we could include 140s. I'd have to take a LWB.

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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.

Liberty will not descend to a people; a people must raise themselves to liberty.[/IMG]

Imperfection is what gives cars there charm.

A 1999 S300D would be sweet, black on black of course.

The perfect MB, thats a hard one. I'd have to say the Pullman series.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

OM606 turbo with 722 5spd AT in my still-lovely silver/black '81 300sd.

__________________
1985 300TD
1984 380SL
1983 280SE (full Euro, trunk triangle and all!)

Formerly owned:
1986 420SEL
1984 300D
1983 300D
1981 300SD
1976 300D

I'd settle for an OM606 turbo in a W124 wagon.

how about a new 320cdi with a six manual?

wagon?

tom w

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[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.

Since we're still dreaming here, I'd like an E400CDI wagon - even with a slushbox.

Oh yeah the V8 CDI's are monsters. I'll take that engine in any MB.

Hmm what about a G400CDI? That would be a sweet truck.


It have an eight-cylinder diesel engine features common rail direct injection, water-cooled intercooler and twin turbochargers. This V8 with 184 kW/250 hp and torque of 560 Newton meters upwards of 1700 rpm gives the G a top speed of 180 km/h, with NEDC combined fuel consumption of 12.8 litres/100 km.

Thats cool, very mafia.

The nice thing about the G is its pretty much a rolling bank vault.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

W123 300CD
V-8 CDI
Sport suspension
AMG Pentas
Mocca paint
5 speed
full sound system

i saw 3 of those when i was visiting guatemala. And when you pulled up next to one, you could hear a faint clatter knowing it was a diesel.

__________________
Current:
05 E320 CDI
07 GL320 CDI
08 Sprinter
05 Dodge Cummins
01 Dodge Cummins

Previous
2004 E55 AMG
2002 C32 AMG (#2)
1995 E300
1978 300D
1987 300D
2002 C32 AMG(blown motor :[
1981 300SD
1983 300SD
1987 300SDL
2002 Jetta TDI
1996 S420
1995 S500
1993 190E 2.6
1992 190E 2.3
1985 190E 2.3 5-Speed

:d

Sb

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Diesels:
'85 300D, "Max, Blue Benz", 155K, 27.0 MPG
'84 190D 2.2, "Eva, Brown Benz", 142K, 40.2 MPG
'77 240D (parts car)
'67 Eicher ES 202 Tractor "Otto" (2cyl, Air Cooled, 30HP)
Gassers:
'94 Ford F-150, "Henry", 170K (300 Six) 17.5 MPG
'85 190E 2.3, 148K....Parts Car
'58 Dodge W300M Powerwagon (Flat Fenders) Less than 10 MPG