300D avoids confusion. And '85 says "T"..........

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Jimmy L.
'05 Acura TL 6MT
2001 ML430 My Spare

Gone:
'95 E300 188K "Batmobile" Texas Unfriendly Black
'85 300TD 235K "The Wagon" Texas Friendly White
'80 240D 154K "China" Scar engine installed
'81 300TD 240K "Smash"
'80 240D 230K "The Squash"
'81 240D 293K"Scar" Rear ended harder than Elton John

It's pretty cool to come across a thread and see such nice things being said about you.

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Chad
2006 Nissan Pathfinder LE
1998 Acura 3.0 CL
OBK#44
"Pleasure in the job puts perfection in the work." - Aristotle (384-322 B.C.)

SOLD
1985 300TD - Red Dragon
1986 300SDL - Coda
1991 - 300TE
1995 - E320
1985 300CD - Gladys

i <3 my 124. yep. with some extra ankle weights on my right leg.... i keep up with traffic just fine in the N/A... i'd assume the 210 drives the same, give or take some 210 differences

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Matthew McIvor

2016 E350 4Matic Black/Black
2007 GL450 4Matic with Off-Road Pkg Silver/Black
1995 E300 Diesel White/Gray
1994 S600 Euro Black/ Black Velour
1986 560SL Blue/Blue/Gray
1986 190E Blue/Blue 93k

The W210 is probably safer in an accident. At least it has side airbags in the front. The W210 is also more roomy and newer looking. Main potential issues are spring perches, fuel leaks and glow plugs getting stuck, but the engine is more sophisticated and cleaner than the OM602 which is more likely to suffer head gasket and lifter issues. Handling-wise, I'd say they're both good but it's subjective. Acceleration should be very close, though the slight extra low-end torque of the turbo OM602 is probably noticeable. Of course the newer models (98+) are even better, but more expensive and complicated. Personally I'd go with a CDI or Bluetec.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

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

I would hands down go with the 300D 2.5 Turbo. After you do the wastegate swap, the car/engine is damm near bullet proof. Theres a reason they are so sought after by older MB mechanics.

Also, read about some of the horror stories with replacing glow plugs on the OM606. I just replaced all 5 on my OM602 and it was simple as pie. I even removed the intake and resealed it with a new gasket. Still took only 2 hours.

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93 300D 2.5 Turbo, Black/Palomino 273K
09 E350 Black/Black 41K

I too, love the 124. Easy to work on, I think even easier than a 123. I love my 87 with its 603. Plenty of power. I just bought the wife an 87 300TD, so now we have a pair. When the suspension is right, these corner like they are on rails. I am 6'2" and have plenty of leg room. I am able to get 29-30 mpg reliably. The 602 should be even better.

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1959 Gravely LI, 1963 Gravely L8, 1973 Gravely C12
1982 380SL
1978 450 SEL 6.9 euro restoration at 63% and climbing
1987 300 D
2005 CDI European Delivery
2006 CDI Handed down to daughter
2007 GL CDI. Wifes

I drove both and this is what I came home with.


The body is about a 7. No rust at all, just some small dings and scratches. The inside is about the same. It has a few problems that I am fixing now. Got it for $ 2900. I drove the E300 but it did not feel like a Mercedes to me. Thanks to everyone for the input.

I have started a new thread covering what I have fixed so far and what I am having problems with.

YEAH BABY!!

Looks great. Probably some dialing-in to be done, a little catch-up maintenance etc., but it'll be worth it.

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Gone to the dark side

- Jeff