Well, thanks for all the good advice regarding my consideration of buying a 1994 S350TD. I've decided to look at some other options. In that regard, what would you consider the best, modern mercedes diesel available? I'm looking for a vehicle with airbags, ABS and safety features? I guess that's why I was attracted to the S350TD since it seems to be built like a brick house but with the engine problems mentioned. I guess the models left to consider are the lastest 1999 E series turbo and newer CDI. Any suggestions and advice will be appreciated!

You might also consider a 1995 E300, which is the last year of the W124 series. It has airbags, ABS, etc., and I've always thought it was one of the best looking sedans that MB ever made. Some would reject the car because of it's lack of turbocharging, but that doesn't bother me.

I know of two issues with it. The original wiring harness is prone to disintigrate and will need to be replaced if it hasn't been replaced already. Also, glow plugs can get stuck in the head, which leads to a costly repair; for that reason, it's advised to buy one that has recently had all the glow plugs changed.

Others may know of more issues, but overall I think it's pretty much widely agreed that this model is one of the most reliable newer MBs.

Well, the W210 have their own set of issues, but not as likely to be nearly as costly as a W140. The biggest concern with a W210 is the spring perch isue on the front suspension. As I understand the 1999 models with build dates starting in late 1999 are less likely to have the spring perch break due to a change in the coating around the stamping. They are nice, but after all of the money that I have put in mine before 62,000 miles I can not personally recommend this chassis. if someone wanted to buy mine for the right price I would sell it and get a W124 wagon or sedan or a W126 sedan.

Pretty much every diesel MB imported from 1995 to present is a great car. The NA W210's are a bit slow, so I'd go for a 1998-99. Unless you want to get a CDI of course.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

As a relative newbie.... I picked up a MY99 E300 a year ago. I would never look back at anything less. Now, I did get a 'nice' car that needed nothing fixed. It had 48K when I picked it up, and a year later it has 72K.

I'd say get the nicest car you can afford. I drove a MY96 E320. It was nice. It was fast, but it wasn't 30-40K nicer or faster than my MY99. Now, don't get me wrong. I like nice cars. The one thing about the new CDI that I test drove is... it made my 99 feel a little old. (but I got over it).

I still say.... buy the nicest car you can afford.


jnc19610
99 E300
99 Boxster
93 Jag S type
70 914/6.

typing too fast..... The cdi I drove was an 06.......

In general terms I think the newer they are the more creature comforts, saftey features and efficiency you will find they have.

From 95 to 99 they all used the same engine (98/99 were turbo's) which appears to be a good design overall. The 95 is a W124 body and the 96-99 a W210. The 96/97's are pretty slow to my taste.

The CDI (W211) will be the most luxuirous as it is newest. The common rail injection is new to the US market but it has been in Europe since 2000. I do not know of any major issues with it's design. Its the only car I would trade mine for.

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

I have the '95 and I love it, but my neighbor has a '99 with 75k on it, and when he sells it this summer I'm buying it. Why? I really like the '95, it's fun to drive and very reliable, but I can afford the upgrade to the w210 - reliability should be about the same, but it's got a lot more power b/c of the turbo.

I'd get the '99 if I were you.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

Is the '95 E300D a lot faster than the '96 or '97? I've never test driven a '95 so I don't know. What's the curb weight of a '95? My '96 is about 3600 lbs (gross weight - max load weight).

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

Past MB's: '96 E300D, '83 240D, '82 300D, '87 300D, '87 420SEL

I've driven them all, and as far as I'm concerned, the CDI's win hands down. The in-line OM648 pulls like a freight train, doesn't smoke too much, and is pretty darn quiet. The OM642 Bluetec V-6 pulls like a freight train, doesn't smoke at all, and is even quieter. The diesel purists must absolutely hate them! The OM642 is available in several models as well.

I've driven every Mercedes Diesel from the 1960s to 1999.

I personally think the one with the best built quality is the W115/116, and my favorite of course is the 1975/6 240D 3.0.

Short of the /8 series, the W123 comes pretty close, with the added advantage of having the turbocharged 3.0-liter 5 cylinder. Boasting 120hp, it's pretty peppy, enough to stay in the passing lane most of the time, as it cruises happily at 75mph to 80mph without braking a sweat. Hence, my low mileage '85 300CD is a keeper for life. Disadvantages? Noisy, and I consider that the only disadvantage over later models, as I don't WANT all of the electronic stuff.

Next in line is the W124. I don't like the turbocharged 6 of 1986 and '87, as it had quite a few problems. The '95 E300D with its EDS 24-valve engine is smooth as silk and runs like a gasser; cruising in silence at 85mph poses no problem and it will hit 100+ mph without braking a sweat. I have a Special Edition one and it's a keeper as well.

Test drove the W210 several times, a while ago even a '99 Turbodiesel, and while I can see that some people might be lured into buying one, I wouldn't want one, ever. Too much electronics that will give trouble along the way.

Any 124, and more so 123 will live happily ever after, long after most 210 models have been delegated to the big boneyard in the sky.

W126, as a 300SD (with the 5) good, as a 300SDL (with the 6) bad.
350SDL . . . the only Diesel with its own Web site of devastated owners who experienced horrible engine failures with as little as 50K miles.

W140? Second worst Diesel Mercedes ever. Might as well flush your money down the toilet.

So if you want comfort and silence, the '95 E300D is the way to go. If you really, really need to cruise at 100mph all day, go with a W210 Turbodiesel; just be prepared to dump the thing once you can't keep up with the repair bills for the electronics and the 5-speed tranny . . .

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Bernard
Ventura, Calif.

My current Diesels:
1995 Mercedes E300D SE
1992 Dodge D250 Ram with Cummins Turbodiesel
1985 Mercedes 300CD Turbodiesel Coupe
1978 Mercedes 240D (daughter's 1st. car)

Yeah, but you're talking a price spread of about $20-25k dollars. That doesn't sound like what bluhorizan is after.

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- Brian


1989 500SEL Euro
1966 250SE Cabriolet
1958 BMW Isetta 600

The 240D crowd already hates our OM606's. From what you say they will roll over in their graves when the Bluetec becomes commonplace..

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

09' E320 Bluetec 77k (USA)
09' Hyundai Santa Fe Diesel 48k (S.A.)

Yep, as soon as I get out of school I'm buying one. With one of those nice warranty's so I never have to get my hands dirty, yeah!

CDI's are awsome indeed, the engine just adds to the sweetness of the W211.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Another vote for the 1995 W124 E300D, this from a man who owns both a 123 300D (turbo) and a 124 E300D. You can't go wrong with a well-maintained example.

I "drive it like I stole it", and it just keeps on going, and going, and going; tough as nails, and smooth as silk. Enough power to keep most sane people happy, it drives much like a gasser; it loves revs, whereas the 300D is more about low-rpm torque.

If it were necessary to drive 3000 miles across the country, I wouldn't hesitate to jump in & go right now; no concerns about reliability whatsoever.

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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.