Diesel emissions

Hello everyone. I recently stumbled across this board in my travels across the web and had a question for all of you regarding the MB diesel engines. I’m not a MB owner…..yet, so bear with me if the question seems elementary. I presently own a ’93 Volvo 945 (RWD wagon). I like the RWD handling aspect and durability of the car. I am interested in adding another RWD car in the not too distant future and was considering a MB diesel. I’d be looking for something made after ’90. Maybe a ‘92-93 S class diesel or a ’94–‘96 E class diesel, to give you an idea of the price range I’m working within. I live in the great state of NJ (!) where we have stringent emissions testing. Having never owned a diesel car what are the issues I would need to be aware of in regards to emissions testing?

[Elripster]

We don't have to smog them in Ca so I'd have a hard time believing you have to smog them there. I think once and a while I have to bring my car to an inspection place to make sure it is indeed still a diesel. Can you check on the web for such things? In Ca you can log on to the DMV site and it's all there. You can probably do that in NJ as well.

Frank.

Thanks Elripster. I did cruise the NJ MVS (Motor Vehicle Services) site and found where diesel passenger vehicles under 10,000 lbs only have to pass an annual safety inspection. Just one more reason to go diesel!

[Rick Miley]

Stay away from those cars! Not being a Mercedes fan, you wouldn't know this, but the S class changed from the W126 chassis to the W140 chassis in 1992. The early W140 owners filed and won a class action law suit against Mercedes for front suspension problems. Evaporators fail often and require dismantling the entire interior for replacement. And the 3.5 liter turbodiesel of that time is a notorious rod bender requiring upwards of $10,000 to replace. Use the search function in the upper right and you'll find lots of information on all these problems and more.

If you have a fixed budget, your money would be much better spent on the E class. Also, the E changed chassis in 1996 to the current (4 round headlight) style in 1996. So there's a whole different chassis between 95 and 96 but with the same drivetrain. They added the turbocharger to the E class for 98 and 99. After 1999 there are no more MB diesels in the U.S.

Good luck with your shopping, make use of Mercedesshop's archives, and get all your questions answered BEFORE you buy. We all want you to have a great Mercedes experience!

[Michael]

I have really come to like my '92 300D 2.5 turbo...adequately powerful, VERY economical, very solid chassis, and the all-important MBTex leather-looking vinyl interior built to withstand my 3 little kids!

Drive them all then decide. But avoid that 3.5 motor.

[DZLPWR]

My 87SDL was required and passed the smog test of Oregon