Hopefully I'll get the chance to purchase one of these beasts. Any input? Are these decent cars?

Thanks,

Jay.

__________________
On the road, currently:
'83 300D (German spec.) 168k mi. - - Wolfgang (tucked snugly away for the winter!)
'87 300D 375k mi. - finally went over to "The Dark Side"
'87 300TD 225k mi.
Cannondale 66cm CAAD5 w/Campy/Jamis Aurora
Hujsak Custom Fixie/Landshark Track Shark Custom/Ahearne Custom 29'er

O.k., I'll call it the Specific Ocean.

One of my high school geometry teacher's favorite "jokes".

It is a 1996 E300D.

Jay.

__________________
On the road, currently:
'83 300D (German spec.) 168k mi. - - Wolfgang (tucked snugly away for the winter!)
'87 300D 375k mi. - finally went over to "The Dark Side"
'87 300TD 225k mi.
Cannondale 66cm CAAD5 w/Campy/Jamis Aurora
Hujsak Custom Fixie/Landshark Track Shark Custom/Ahearne Custom 29'er

The below thread is applicable to your questions. The differences between the 606.912 (n/a) and the 606.962 (turbo) is about that of a 240d vs 300d turbo.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=202695

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Terry Allison
N. Calif. & Boca Chica, Panama

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

Except that the NA 606 is significantly faster than the 300d turbo. I wouldn't mind more power, but what I have is sufficient. I've never driven a turbo 606, but from what I hear, you won't miss gasoline.

I've got one and I love it (turbo). Some things to look out for that you should find more details on with a good search: spring perch problems, leaking clear fuel lines, rust in certain climates, some mention of AC problems (I haven't had any). Pay attention to your tranny fluid, change it even though MB says it is "lifetime".

I have a 124 also, the 210 is years ahead in design.

You will get great support from this board. I know because it has helped me a bunch.

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Muleears
'07 E320 Bluetec 133K my DD
'04 Jaguar XJ8 VDP, 34K
'10 Hyundai Accent 60K Grocery Getter
'02 VW Golf soon to be on the road again
'97 E300 Diesel Son's DD
'61 VERY tolerant wife

Hampton Roads, VA USA

Gone but not forgotten:
'67 250S 95K
'86 300SDL
'87 300D Turbo, 364K! R.I.P.
'98 E300 Turbodiesel, 213K
'02 S420, 164K
'01 Prius 138K

Jay.....are you zero'd in on a 96 thats for sale? If not go for the 98 or a 99... I think you would be happier with the turbo version in those years.
Also I have not heard of as many spring perch problems in thoughs later years....maybe the welds were beefed up by that time or corrected during MB service over time.
I like my 98.....

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FRED

Daily Driver: 98 E300TD 199K
Hobby Car: 69 Austin Mini
Past Diesels: 84 300SD, 312K
87 300SDL, 251K
94 Chev. K-1500 6.5Ltr.TD, 373K

As far as I know, all of the RWD 210s are affected by potential spring perch rust. Fortunately, they aren't extremely expensive to fix.

I'm pretty happy with my NA 210. I'm not sure, but I suspect that the 4-speed in the '96 may have a lower TCO. At least the factory did specify fluid changes on that one, and there's no expensive computer to fail.

I have a 96 e300d with 202,000 miles and counting. Bought it used with about 196,000, and have had very little to do except change the two front shocks. The prior owner put in about $3200 in repair work i.e. new battery, timing chain and tensioner, all new fuel lines, starter, aux. fan, regulator, muffler, rear window regulator motor, and a few other odds and ends. Although it is non-turbo, it meets all of my driving needs, and handles above average at highway speeds. Only thing that doesn't work in the car is the fuel gauge. It was diagnosed as defective by the Mercedes tech that did the other work. There is a small amount of rust along some of the trim on the doors, but I hope to have that taken care of next spring. All in all, I am very satisfied with its performance and features. I wish you luck with whatever you decide to purchase.

I've never driven a 606 turbo and I don't miss gasoline. Well, maybe the price :/

Sixto
87 300D

I just recently got a 96 E300D. WOW, what a HUGE improvement over my 92 2.5 turbo. The ride is probably the best of ANY used car I have ever driven, and rivals that of any NEW car as well. As for the power, my NA 3.0 diesel works just fine, if this thing had a turbo I imagine it would be a BEAST.

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1996 E300 D
1992 300D
1990 Ford E-350 7.3 Diesel AKA "the Deep Fryer"

Turbo!

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-disav

99 E300 TURBODIESEL Astral Silver 282K - AMG brakes, suspension, monoblocks, speedo & interior - Full Load Maxed on IP by custom Speed Tuning USA Chip - T3/T4 Garrett - EGR/MAF delete
98 E300 TURBODIESEL Alexandrite Green on black leather 289K
95 E300 DIESEL Green Queen 267K SOLD
84 300D 216k SOLD
87 300D 299K #22 head - intercooler - full load adj. - 8sec 0-60mph - SOLD
76 300D 214K SOLD

Hey Jay, is that the one in CL that was listed for $2500?

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I would say the NA OM606 has similar acceleration to an OM617 turbo. The OM606 has slightly more horsepower, hence better top end, but the OM617 turbo has slightly more torque once the turbo kicks in and hence better low end. Of course as far as refinement and luxury goes, there's a night and day difference between the two.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

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

for the education, y'all. Somebody beat me to this one, though.

Yeah, looked like a pretty good deal, huh, DJ?

Jay

__________________
On the road, currently:
'83 300D (German spec.) 168k mi. - - Wolfgang (tucked snugly away for the winter!)
'87 300D 375k mi. - finally went over to "The Dark Side"
'87 300TD 225k mi.
Cannondale 66cm CAAD5 w/Campy/Jamis Aurora
Hujsak Custom Fixie/Landshark Track Shark Custom/Ahearne Custom 29'er

w210 E-Three-Double = SEX!

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#dieselFLEET
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'97 E300
'99 E300