Hello, I am a new member with a few questions. I currently do not own a diesel Mercedes, but I have a plan to acquire one in the near future. So, what do you think about this…
My wife and I drive very little and would like to buy an early 80’s MB turbo diesel to run commercially made B100 in during the warmer months of the year (which in WI can be 4-8 months of the year). Our gasser that we would sell is worth about $5000. I was thinking about purchasing a cleaner MB turbo diesel for ~$3000, add another ~$1000 for tune up and such (done by myself) and have another ~$1000 for unforeseen expenses. Does this sound reasonable? The car the MB would replace is driven ~7500miles per year, so there is downtime for repairs, for when they arrive.
We are also considering a VW TDI, but I am not a fan of $$$ computer chips controlling my vehicles. I am a wrenches and welder kind of guy. I have been scouting the internet for info and it seems like the MB would fit into my lifestyle. I do valve adjustments on my motorcycles and have rebuilt motors in the past, so I feel like I could handle a lot that the MB could throw at me. The only weird thing would be to own an automatic.
I am not too worried about economics of this venture; we are of the type that if diesel was $4/gallon and biodiesel was $5, we would fill up with biodiesel.
I appreciate any and all thoughts and insights.
Joe

__________________
Wishing to purchase an early to mid '80s MB Turbo Diesel. Interested in the 300SD or 300D, but still a big fan of the wagons.