Hello, I'm thinking about getting an 80s MB turbo diesel, but can't make up my mind. I haven't ever had one, but keep hearing that they are built like tanks and run forever. (I used to have a diesel truck, and liked it) I drove a friend's 300CD, it was alright, but didn't knock me off my feet. (Of course it wasn't in premo condition)

On the other hand, I've heard that they can suck you dry of $.

I'm looking for some input to consider before I take the dive, and maybe some suggestions about models to avoid and things to look out for... Thanks!

I guess you need to answer the question of "why". Why do you want a diesel or gas or whatever. You need to see what your needs are. Are you trying to get one just to have one to play with or run alternative fuel or mileage or what?

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01 Ford Excursion Powerstroke
99 E300 Turbodiesel
91 Vette with 383 motor
05 Polaris Sportsman 800 EFI
06 Polaris Sportsman 500 EFI
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Red
03 SeaDoo GTX SC Yellow
04 Tailgator 21 ft Toy Hauler
11 Harley Davidson 883 SuperLow

If u like the big body cars, go for the w126, for something smaller go for the 123 or 124. The 617 motor indestructable. And just a word of advice, the cheaper u buy the car, the more likely its gonna cost u in the long run.

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82' 300SD

get it checked out by someone who knows benz diesels.

just paying a high price is no guarantee of getting a good car.

and a cheap price doesnt necessarily mean a poor car either.

and i have done both to one degree or another.

you're bound to get a klinker once in 29 or so trys.

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.

Depends on where you live. If you live close to me don't get one, will be one less that I will have a chance to get. If you see, feel, hear the diesel run and something does not stir inside of you don't do it. It is an addiction, I think if you had an honest poll most of us would check the box (I love it so). If you get that feeling run or you will be hooked for life. You will love it , do it.

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1982 240D Euro Stick 4

It depends on why you want one. If you really like Mercedes Benz automobiles and enjoy wrenching as a hobby then they can be great to own. If you don't like doing your own maintenance, expect a car to be trouble-free, etc. don't bother. Any 20 year old car will require more effort to return to decent condition and even a high-dollar pristine example will need more than almost any new car.

My '84 300D was expensive to buy as it is in pretty nice shape. They I have literally poured money into it making it as perfect as I can because thats the way I want it. I enjoy the car and for me it is worth it. But I am the first to say that the money I have spent on it would be better spent somewhere else. Buyer beware and understand what you are getting yourself into. Its fun, but its not cheap and its sometimes quite frustrating. 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

I now own the two oldest Mercedes I've ever owned. They are both '87s, and they are also the cheapest to operate of any Mercedes I've ever owned.

I've read a lot here from folks with problem cars, feel that any Mercedes could be expensive to operate if it's neglected, abused, worn out, or just at a point where everything has to be done at once. Basically though, I've had worse maintenance problems with my new Volkswagens and Fords than my Mercedes. I'm not sure why folks here say they'll be expensive to operate, maybe I just got lucky picking two that are lower-maintenance models than the rest.

I do agree that the decision to buy turbodiesel Mercedes is more of an emotional one than a logical one. Similar to why I bought a Land Rover instead of a Cherokee or Escalade. When you pass another diesel Mercedes, you are kin, much like the old days when I'd be driving the Triumph and pass another English car, ... Doing your own work and knowing what NOT to ignore is important in any older car however and will make it affordable.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff

These cars are fairly cheap to maintain to an average mechanic. But if you go to the dealers for work, then you can expect it to suck you dry.

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1982 300DT *4-speed*// proper 617 donor for conversion // W126 big brakes // front wagon swaybar // european lights & bumpers // rear headrests // lumbar support // warning triangle // overdrive water pump pulley & 9 blade fan // Too many more to list Dark blue/ Palomino.

1983 300D euro no longer a 4 speed. . swap/parts carr

I'm an old farm boy that doesnt want anything I cant fix myself. Just recently I sold my 68 chevy truck that I had driven for years. I drove it all over the country and even pulled a fifteen thousand pound boat and trailer from Michigan to Ft. meyers Fl. The best thing about that truck was I could fix anything on it. The bad thing was It got about 10 miles per gallon.
With the 617 diesel you get the fixability with good fuel economy. With a basic tool kit and some spares I wouldnt hesitate to drive mine to California tomorrow.

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a few mb diesels

The nice thing about Mercedes in general and the W123 cars especially is that they are made so that they can be taken apart and repaired. Additionally, parts are still available. Finally, you have a great resource right here on the forum. Most 20+ year old cars will have none of the above.

Because they were expensive cars when new, Mercedes cars were usually well cared for by at least their first owners and sometimes by all of them before you. In the 1980s, Mercedes imported a lot of diesels into the USA because they were exempt from most smog requirements of the times. Those two factors mean that there are a fair number of those cars still around in decent condition.

There are many reasons to buy an old Mercedes diesel as previous posters have emphasized. I bought mine so that I could burn biodiesel and thus reduce by a tiny fraction the amount of oil we must import. Since then I have fallen in love with the design of the car, its quality of construction, and the fact that I can do much of the maintenance myself.

If you have a mechanic do your work, any old car, but especially a Mercedes, can eat you out of house and home. Someone here likes to say that "there is no more expensive car than a cheap Mercedes." On the other hand, if you can do the maintenance (or even some of it) yourself, you will discover that there are places where parts can be purchased for a significant discount. You will learn that some components don't have to be replaced -- you can take them apart and rebuild them. This saves you money and teaches you something at the same time.

As has previously been said, any old car will require maintenance. Things wear out, after all. Rubber dries out and cracks, lubricant dries up, bulbs burn out, electronic things die of old age, metal parts wear, etc. If you are willing to tackle these challenges, if you enjoy fixing things, you will get a real joy out of driving a car reliable even after several hundred thousand miles.

The people on this forum and the search function will allow you to investigate to as much detail as you need to satisfy your concerns. Good luck and enjoy.

Jeremy

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Having them as a daily driver starts to get old after a bit at least for me, the constant "to do" list starts to get old. I have come to the conclusion that the only way to get rid of the "to do" list is to do a massive restoration of all the systems, at the same time. Because it seems even my cash infusions are not enough to kill that list...

In my book owning an old Mercedes is like owning an old boat, or house. It can be a lot of fun, but it always needs something.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

That applies to mine as well. I can't seem to ever catch up. I still wouldn't sell it for all the $$ I have in it, even if I found someone crazy enough to come up with that much money for a 20 year old car.

Chris

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1987 300TD 309, xxx 2.8.2014 10,000 mile OCI


Be careful of the toes you step on today, as they may be connected to the ass you have to kiss tomorrow. anonymous

“Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don’t matter, and those who matter won’t mind.” Dr. Seuss

Well....... I have a 71 Diesel.. 500,000 miles and still going..Maint is cheap, fuel is cheap.

it's slow, safe, and reliable..... but not in Primo shape..... based on my car my family did buy another MB diesel...they are hard to beat!

Oh yeah, don't get me wrong, I'm not looking to replace mine with Toyota's or something. There are a lot of good things about driving these cars too, but like anything there is a downside.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

You just haven't had a major problem yet. These can include:
Full suspension rebuild
Transmission rebuild
Rear wheel bearing replacement
Heater core replacement
Head gasket replacement
Steering box replacement
Evaporator core replacement
ACC problems-see replacing vacuum servos or solenoids

Yes, regular maintenance is simple and cheap. But unless you feel you can handle some of the stuff on the list above its a matter of time before things get expensive. You better be a pretty competent and willing DIY wrench if you think you want to tackle this stuff. This isn't oil changes, valve adjustments and brake work. 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