I'm considering looking at a 2nd E300d. The first one I looked at a week ago, and it was total junk. At just 140k, the car, though a quieter engine than my 1991 300d, had the following problems...

1) Transmission wouldn't shift out of first gear. The guy told me he had the whole transmission rebuilt. I'm thinking .... at 140k? On a Mercedes? Seems they should last 250-300k before needing redone.

2) The car smelled of diesel fuel. I checked the engine, he had all new injectors put in. Yet fuel was leaking slightly from that area. Why would he need all new injectors? (though I guess they recommend changing them every 100k or so). Still, if they were recently replaced, unless whoever did it was incompetent, how could they be leaking? Seems like there were a few other places where diesel was coming out.

3) The sunroof didn't work. Whaaaat?

4) The speedometer didn't work. (I think it was just the odometer actually, not the speedometer).

It had a few other problems, but I walked away as fast as I could. My 1991 has 136k on it, and though I've done a few repairs over the years, it still has the same injectors, etc., as the day it was born, shifts fine, etc.

Do you suspect he disconnected the speedometer for a while? Maybe it actually had 300,000 miles on it. Or, were the 1997's problem plagued? I know about glow plugs sticking on these models, but what else to look for, or should I avoid altogether?

Jeff

The '97 model was the first one to have the 5-speed electronic transmission and I've read they had some problems, at least initially. Fuel leaks come easily on all OM606's engines if the o-rings are old or if the system is touched without a good post-work inspection. For example, I had a problem with a couple of the metal injector lines leaking after doing my injectors and I had to replace them. Another thing to check for on all W210's are the front spring perches. Lots of info on this site if you search.

Personally I'd get a CDI or newer if I wanted another MB diesel. If that's out of your price range, then perhaps a 98 or 99 E300 turbo would be a better choice. The '96 model that I have has the older-style 4-speed transmission that's usually trouble-free, but it's a bit slow.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

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

That's surprising to read about the '97 transmissions. The '98 and '99's, though the same engine, had better transmissions? I thought they were essentially the same car, from '95 to '99.

Thanks,

Jeff

1995 was still a W124 style with 6 cylinder non-turbo 4 speed tranny

1996 was a new body style W210 with a 4 speed tranny non turbo

1997 was still non-turbo version but with newer 5 speed tranny

1998-1999 were the same but they are better than 1997 because it has turbocharged engine matched with 5 speed tranny.

All were somewhat good but have rust problems plus some electric gremlins because they are more complex than you 1991 W124. I would say 1991 is a better build car than others mentioned above.

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1993 Mercedes 300D 2.5

1987 Mercedes 300D 3.0

2000 Volkswagen JETTA TDI diesel 5 speed

2002 Lexus ES300

2006 Lexus GS430

As dariod said, 98+ were turbocharged. The transmission was the same as in 97, but I think MB had fixed the initial problems by then. Someone with more knowledge on these newer transmissions can elaborate on this, or you can do a search on this site as I'm pretty sure it's been discussed already.

I think there are some people here with a '97 E300D who are quite happy with it, so don't let the transmission discourage you completely. Just inspect and test carefully before buying.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

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

If your going to get one, get one with a turbo. At this point the cost is the same, and the turbo charged diesel is faster with no down side.

IMHO get a CDI, I have seen them for high teens. The W210 is nice but kind of dated at this point. That I6 CDI is one heck of a sweet engine, and by that point the 722.6 was fully sorted.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

I have a '96, with the mechanical transmission. From what I read, there is a weak bearing in the early 5 speeds used in the 210. It causes expensive problems.

The NA engine produces more than sufficient power to move the car, but unfortunately it only delivers much of any power above 3K RPM. Get it to 4500 and you're cooking along. Because the torque increases so greatly with RPM, it makes the engine seem to surge even when everything is working as it should.

A turbocharger would calm down the engine a lot, giving plenty of torque right off the line.

I am still fascinated to this day that my '97 screams to 5200rpm when it shifts (during spirited driving). The '96 & '97 diesel will take some getting used to, due to their rather slow nature. Once moving they zip along fine.

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#dieselFLEET
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'97 E300
'99 E300

In addition to the the five-speed transmission with its first-year problems, the '97 also got the $500 electronic ignition switch that has to be re-programmed should a failure ever occur. I know that the '98-99 turbo engines were nicely matched to the five-speed but don't know if that can be said for the NA version of the OM606 engine in 1997. Personally, I'd prefer the relative simplicity of the '96 or (even better) the '95 with its superior W124 body and a mechanical throttle so you can drive even if the electrical system dies ('96 and later are all fly-by-wire). YMMV.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

In another recent thread though, we learned that the '97 feels faster than the '96 because of a shorter final drive ratio and the 5-speed. So any potential transmission issues aside, the '97 would be considered superior.

I've always felt the NA OM606 drives more like a 4-cylinder gasser than a typical diesel. I wouldn't go as far as saying the engine has no power below 3000 RPM (mine starts to really pick up around 2500 RPM), but yes, most of the power is above 3000 RPM which is unusual for a diesel.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

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

I must reluctantly agree, having driven my wife's '96 just this afternoon. Compared to my '87 turbodiesel, the '96 is a real dog unless you floor it and let the engine wind up. One thing to remember is that, as a double overhead cam engine, you can safely run it up to RPMs that otherwise might not seem recommended. I forget the exact limit [anyone?] but you could probably take it up close to 7000 RPM without harm.

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"Buster" in the '95

Our all-Diesel family
1996 E300D (W210) . .338,000 miles Wife's car
2005 E320 CDI . . 113,000 miles My car
Santa Rosa population 176,762 (2022)
Total. . . . . . . . . . . . 627,762
"Oh lord won't you buy me a Mercedes Benz."
-- Janis Joplin, October 1, 1970

Well the rev limiter will keep you to about 5000 RPM or a little over. You'd have to over-rev the engine by reckless downshifting to get it to 7000 RPM, and I wouldn't recommend that.

I do sometimes miss my '87, especially the performance, but I feel the OM606 is more refined and the W210 chassis is bigger, safer and looks better, even if it has some issues.

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2004 VW Jetta TDI (manual)

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

I will bet you a new K40 relay would have solved the speedometer problems and shifting. WHere is this car located, might be worth a look.

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Dennis
2006 E320 CDI Black/Black Leather. Nav, HTD Seats HK stereo 32000 miles.
2000 VW Passat 1.8t 300,000 miles as of Dec 09, 2009 original owner
1997 E300d Silver 300,000 miles As of Jan 05, 2010
3rd owner SOLD

I think the 99 has rear side airbags.

Sixto
87 300D

I've unfortunately, seen a lot of W210's rusting, including the one I just purchased ('00 E320) spring perch, as noted above, doors, trunk near keyhole/button & above windshield infront of sunroof, or sunroof edges and along tops of doors

I love the OM606 in my '95 W124 E300, and was shocked, beings the only other diesel sedans I've driven were my 240D, a couple 300SD's that I never purchased, and my parents '05 E320CDI

my 4speed auto feels solid, and simple. no electrical BS to really worry about, maybe windows, sunroof, headlight wipers, if thats all I need to fret over... I'm happier than a pig in sh17....

I get GREAT MPG... I think I got 29 avg on a tank the last fill up, driving it like the 20 year old I am thru upstate NY on seasonal roads.

I do, on the other hand, wish the leather seats (not mbtext) in my 124 felt a little more like the 210's seats... I on occasion, feel as if I'm driving a bombay leather sofa.

the handling of the 124 is great, I love the ASD option mine has, I throw it around a corner, the back end feels a bit light, but ALWAYS corrects itself and pushes me right along even on gravel and such

NOTE: I've never driven a turbo 124, or 210 maybe I don't know what I'm missing?
my W124's 0-60, flat ground 63 degrees F, 2 days ago @ 117,6xx

EDIT: the video shows the 5,200 shift point, and how well it actually pulls while wound up.