All hail the w210 & om606

[notfarnow]

I've been driving my Suzuki Samurai diesel for a couple weeks, running errands and pulling a utility trailer.

But this morning I drove the e300d to work. Man, what a great car. As soon as I get in the car, I am reminded why I love it so much. Solid "thud" when I close the door, FANTASTIC seats, the smell of leather.

And it drives beautifully. Of all the sedans I have ever driven, it has the best compromise of handling and dampening. You feel the bumps enough to know they're there, but it's not jarring. The steering is easy, but not at all over-boosted. The handling is fantastic for such a heavy car... it is actually fun to drive.

But that engine... gracious me. In the past, owning a diesel was a compromise. You got mileage and reliability, but you got a tractor engine. The Benz diesels were always the nicest of the bunch, in my opinion, but it was still a tractor in nice pants. But not the om606. It pulls like a train and sounds fantastic. It idles like a cummins and revs like an alfa.

What a great car, what a great engine.

[pimpernell]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

I've been driving my Suzuki Samurai diesel for a couple weeks, running errands and pulling a utility trailer.

But this morning I drove the e300d to work. Man, what a great car. As soon as I get in the car, I am reminded why I love it so much. Solid "thud" when I close the door, FANTASTIC seats, the smell of leather.

And it drives beautifully. Of all the sedans I have ever driven, it has the best compromise of handling and dampening. You feel the bumps enough to know they're there, but it's not jarring. The steering is easy, but not at all over-boosted. The handling is fantastic for such a heavy car... it is actually fun to drive.

But that engine... gracious me. In the past, owning a diesel was a compromise. You got mileage and reliability, but you got a tractor engine. The Benz diesels were always the nicest of the bunch, in my opinion, but it was still a tractor in nice pants. But not the om606. It pulls like a train and sounds fantastic. It idles like a cummins and revs like an alfa.

What a great car, what a great engine.

you sound like me, only I have a 96 e300d, but I just love the car. I don't have a turbo, but on the road, it can cover ground with ease and grace. The thing that continues to amaze my friends is the stuff this car has in it. If you put an ad in the paper, with all the features this car has, but did not say it was a 96, you would think that it just came off the assembly line. Quality parts and a fantastic vehicle to drive. Mileage us 26-28 around town, and 35-37 on the road.....whats not to like?? Good luck with your car!!

[shingleback]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

But this morning I drove the e300d to work.

Yes, well described. I find it interesting that you have a 99 E300; is it a turbodiesel, and is it a Canadian car or imported from the US? I really wonder why MB (and RIV) is adamant about the 99 E300 turbodiesel not being admissible to Canada. I have been trying to get one in from the US for a year now!

My gut feeling is that they are somehow trying to protect their territory and not letting individuals save thousands of $$ by importing their own from the US. My guess is that the US and CDN cars are the same (save perhaps California).

[lkchris]

Wait 'til you try a CDI!

[JimmyL]

Originally Posted by notfarnow

It is just a shame that from the pic above it looks like a Taurus. Has the best front end, the worst rear end. Would be worth it with that power plant, though....

[Matt L]

I don't mind the look of the rear at all.

[johnathan1]

Wow, really?

[TMAllison]

Originally Posted by shingleback

Yes, well described. I find it interesting that you have a 99 E300; is it a turbodiesel, and is it a Canadian car or imported from the US? I really wonder why MB (and RIV) is adamant about the 99 E300 turbodiesel not being admissible to Canada. I have been trying to get one in from the US for a year now!

My gut feeling is that they are somehow trying to protect their territory and not letting individuals save thousands of $$ by importing their own from the US. My guess is that the US and CDN cars are the same (save perhaps California).

All USA 606's (95-99) meet Calif emissions standards.

[KarTek]

Looks like a 1st gen taurus rear... But I like it just fine!

About the power, I was just fuming about how much of a huge delay there is between application of throttle and engine response... Almost got my arse handed to be by a semi because I couldn't get out of the way in time...

[turbobenz]

doesn't look like a ford. It looks like a bmw

[dieselman]

I had a 1996 e320 and while I liked the car ok it was the worst rust bucket I have ever seen. I had a spring perch break on me. All the window regulators broke and I really just did not like the way it felt. I guess it is all a matter of opinion and you know what they say about opinions.

[pawoSD]

Originally Posted by turbobenz

doesn't look like a ford. It looks like a bmw

Sorta, but its still a MB. I will ALWAYS drive a MB, no matter what, I have yet to ride in/drive a non-mb car and be impressed...most are a complete let down.

[zeke]

I agree - MB rear ends have gone from Ford to Honda. The newest generation has the best looking rear end since 1985

From a distance can you tell them apart?

[ready-ronnie]

MY 98 is from Canada. The differences I see are 1. It has daytime running lights (always on). 2.The clock is military time and can't be reprogrammed. 3. It has a block heater. I think they were standard on Canadian cars.
Yes all 98-99 are rust buckets Other wise I love it.

[TMAllison]

Originally Posted by ready-ronnie

Yes all 98-99 are rust buckets Other wise I love it.

Not true. Neither of my cars has even one spec of rust.