Thinking of getting something real cheap to go back and forth to work and the top speed it 45 mph for like 1/2 mile, the rest of the way 25-35 mph. Want to run on WVO. What are the pro's and con's on the two cars above. Seems like the price of the vehicles may be about the same, close at least. Key thing is I want something simple, easy to work on, and cheap to run every year. Oh ya, dependable.

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Currently driving a very clean 1985 300SD from the West Coast.

I looked at a diesel Rabbit. No comparison to a 240d when it comes to safety. It's a no brainer in my view if you are at all interested in safety.

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1977 300d 70k--sold 08
1985 300TD 185k+
1984 307d 126k--sold 8/03
1985 409d 65k--sold 06
1984 300SD 315k--daughter's car
1979 300SD 122k--sold 2/11
1999 Fuso FG Expedition Camper
1993 GMC Sierra 6.5 TD 4x4
1982 Bluebird Wanderlodge CAT 3208--Sold 2/13

The diesel Rabbit/Golf is an awesome car. Reliable as heck, small and great for around town stuff. Nothing can beat the mileage either, not even most hybrids.

I used one as a daily driver for the better part of last year and enjoyed every minute of it.

Yes an MB is safer.

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

my friend just sold his rabbit pickup with the diesel in it.. Wish I had the 2500 for it.. I would have snapped that sucker up

$2500 is cheap for a Caddy diesel...

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

I've owned both (1978 VW rabbit diesel and a couple of MB's). You'll probably pay more to get the vw and it won't be as durable, easy to work on or safe. A 190D would be another good bet.

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

I think the "easy to work on" aspect is a matter of opinion. After having only been into Mercedes for 6 months or so, but being a VW person my whole life (10+ VWs so far), I think the Rabbit/Golf/Jetta is a much, much easier to work on.

Won't argue with you on the other points though

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-justin

1987 300TD, 1987 300TD
2008 R32, 2000 Passat Wagon

As that question on a VW site - I already know the answer, even if I try to be unbiased.

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- Brian


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

the rabbit would be good on fuel, however the benz would be safer somwhat more reliable, and its nice to tell people u drive a benz, if ur only driving a short distance every day, running straight WVO could be a problem, however, if u cut the WVO with diesel or a method of ur choice, that could be a real possibility.

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82' 300SD

The old claptrap VWs Rabbit diesel's don't compare to today's TDIs. Night and day for power, comfort and safety (my TDI has been fairly reliable as well). As for WVO, however, I'd stick to older models. You'll get half the mileage in a 240D -- but end up with a much better car.

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'91 300D 2.5 Turbo 330K
'00 VW TDI Golf, 190K
'67 BMW R50/2
'73 Norton Commando Interstate

I agree the TDI's are a different animal all together. He's asking about earlier vw diesels.

Kevin
1979 240D manual
1984 190D manual

It will be much easier to find an old Mercedes in good shape than the same year VW. The diesel bunny was a decent car when new but second and third (fourth, etc.....) owners probably didn't take as good care of it as the first owner. Benz owners tended to be older and more likely to take care of their cars. Even subsequent owners probably took fairly good care of them. That's one of the reasons why so many old diesel Benzes are still on the road compared to the early diesel VWs, which I rarely see.

The Mercedes is a safer car (bigger, heavier) but the fuel economy will be less than the VW. A 190D might get as high as 30 MPG (owners, chime in, please). Unless you're desperate to save on fuel, go for the Benz, a car with class. Nothing beats driving around behind that star!

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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

Maybe the safety ratings on the tiny Rabbit is better than what I think, but from the looks of it, if you were in a crash (and they DO happen), you could easily have no legs left.

Jeff 1991 300d, 102k

Having driven two different pre-TDI diesel Jettas of the same boxy design as the Rabbit, I can say that these vehicles are totally different choices.

I found it much easier to find parts for the older (pre TDI) VW diesels and they are much simpler in design and construction that a Mercedes. This makes diagnosis and maintenance much more straightforward. Consumable parts such as timing belts, brake linings, shocks etc tend to be significantly cheaper as they are available from a much wider set of suppliers. And you'll find more independent mechanics shops who know the VW's.

On the other hand the safety of the old VW body shell is pretty rudimentary - I was T-boned by a full size cab (ex police cruiser with the push bars still up front) which went through a red light at 40 mph. My 92 Jetta was totally destroyed and bent like a banana around the passenger door..... the floor was buckled and the door smashed in around the edges of the passenger seat ... I still thank my luckly stars I was alone at the time.

I liked driving the VW in city traffic but feel infinitely more in control and safer at highway speeds in my 300sd ... and I'd expect a 240d in good shape will give you the same feeling of security. Two different choices for you and no one right answer.

neither will work well on wvo for such short trips.
Proper WVO usage needs engine heat to warm the oil before switching to WVO. it's going to take at least 5 minutes of driving to get the oil warm enough, then after the drive, an additional 5 or so minutes of driving to switch back to diesel fuel so the car will have diesel in the pump for starting.
for such short trips you will need to employ some sort of electrical heat to warm the oil up to 160 before starting. I know of no such method. Others have mentioned the mixing of WVO with Regular unleded gasoline to thin the oil down to diesel fuel levels... good luck with that.
John

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!