What's the Best M-B Diesel Ever Sold in the USA?
 

Does anyone know what the best-ever diesel engine model was that Mercedes-Benz had sold in the USA and Canada (1968 to 1995)?

Candidates:
1968-1976 (all car models are W115 bodies)
OM615.912 I-4 = 220D(/8) (1968-1973)
OM616.916 I-4 = 240D (1974-1976)
OM617.910 I-5 = 300D (1975-1976)

1977-1985
OM601.921 I-4 = 190D 2.2 (W201) (1984-1985)
OM616.912 I-4 = 240D (W123) (1977-1983)
OM617.912 I-5 = 300D, 300CD and 300TD (W123) (1977-1981)
OM617.950 I-5T = 300SD Turbo (W116) (1978-1980)
OM617.951 I-5T = 300SD Turbo (W126) (1981-1985)
OM617.952 I-5T = 300D, 300CD and 300TD Turbo (W123) (1981-1985)

1986-1995
OM601.921 I-4 = 190D 2.2 (W201) (1986)
OM602.911 I-5 = 190D 2.5 (W201) (1987-1989)
OM602.961 I-5T = 190D 2.5 Turbo (W201) (1987)
OM602.962 I-5T = 300D 2.5 Turbo (W124) (1990-1993)
OM603.960 I-6T = 300D and 300TD Turbo (W124) (1987)
OM603.961 I-6T = 300SDL Turbo (W126) (1986-1987)
OM603.970 I-6T = 350SD and 350SDL Turbo (W126) (1991)
OM603.971 I-6T = 300SD Turbo/S350 (W140) (1992-1994)
OM606.910 I-6T = E300 Diesel (W124) (1994-1995)

In other words, this topic is open to those who know what the best diesel model is in terms of reliability (among other quality issues).

Thank you,



Ben (StrokeEightFan)

OM617.952 for perfomance/reliability

OM616.912 for reliability.

My vote for the USA would have to be the 1987 190D 2.5T.

For the world, the E420 CDI.

W123 OM616/617, best ever.

OM603.960 in the W124 chassis.

Runner up
OM602.961 in the 190D 2.5T

Best in what sense? 616 is bulletproof but I'll take a 603 on the Autobahn. 602 gets great mpg but I'll take a 617 across the Outback.

Sixto
87 300D

w123 300D with 617 turbo, 82 to 84.

You just about can't kill one of 'em. (Except with wvo, of course).

W123 with the OM616... maybe im a little biased though :biggrin:

The 616 or non-turbo 617 if you just want an engine that will last forever...

A 617 turbo if you want an engine that will last forever AND has semi-reasonable performance.

It's all about the cast iron, baby. ;)

Best in the USA?
E320 Bluetec ftw!

Anyone who has driven one can vouch for it....burning rubber on dry pavement in a diesel is quite something :D

Best in the world? I second the E420 CDI.

I swear.. I have seen this thread like a million times already

83 240d stick.

Ivory or maple yellow.;)

Tom W

And now a million and one.:rolleyes:

And my vote is always W123 616/617:D:P;)

I'll take the w116 300SD over all others, best chassis platform for 5cyl 617 in my opinion - longer wheelbase and wider track, surprisingly nimble with amazing tight steering radius too.

Otherwise 4-spd manual everything 240D for the ultimate bread'n butter diesel Benz.

See sig:D

W123 240D manual trans for reliability, longevity, simplicity, and ease of maintenance.

W123 300Dt for all around greatness. A little harder to work on, a few more things to go wrong, but not by a lot, and it will actually get out of its own way.