Thanks to the forum for my previous post last month comparing 240D to 300D. Sorry about all the questions but I want to make the right decision. I am down to either a 300TD wagon (85 or 87) or a 87 300DT 6-cylinder. What are the pros and cons of each. PSfred spoke highly of the sixes. They are hard to find and some have over 300K. Thanks in advance for the advice.

Here are some differences:

- 85 requires valve adjustments every 15Kmiles, 87 doesn't
- 85 is roomier in my opinion
- 87 is smoother and more powerful
- 87 has airbag/s and ABS
- 87 probably has third row seat, optional on 85
- 87 has power sunroof, 85 probably has manual

Either is a great car. In my situation, the 87 would get the nod because my wife would prefer to drive the 87. Would make great his-n-hers cars for our driveway.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD
... guess which one's his and which one's hers

the 87 300D is a ROCKET (in the diesel world). She will do 0-60 in like 8 seconds. Great car, I've seen MANY over 300K. But something keeps me in the drivers seat of a 123 diesel. I do own a 87 300SDL and it is a GREAT car in all respects. Only thing to watch for in the 6cyl is cracking/warping the head, being aluminum. I hear about 5% fail. The 5cyl is pretty much a workhorse and nothing really breaks! I have one with 470,300 miles.

John

0-60 in 8 seconds is 300E territory. My 300SE isn't that quick.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD

A 87 300D can hang with a 300E until about 100.

Hard to believe, but true -- put your foot in it and let her rip! I do believe my 300D is as fast as the 300TE!

Not as quiet, but as fast. Gets much better milage, too. Great fun to out-run people who automatically pull into the next lane when they see "diesel" on the decklid.....!

Peter

__________________
1972 220D ?? miles
1988 300E 200,012
1987 300D Turbo killed 9/25/07, 275,000 miles
1985 Volvo 740 GLE Turobodiesel 218,000
1972 280 SE 4.5 165, 000 - It runs!

Owning neither a W124 300 sedan or wagon, I'm not an authority. The literature has the 300E going from 0-60 in 7.8 seconds and the 300D in 10.5 seconds. By comparison, a W123 turbodiesel sedan is rated at 15 seconds. Experience may tell you otherwise. I've driven a 300TD and it's plenty fast. Easily comparable to my 300SE.

Sixto
91 300SE
81 300SD