"83 300D -good year or bad? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

warmblood58 · #1 11-09-2009, 04:04 PM

What are considered the best years for the 300d? Thanks!

Ian White · #2 11-09-2009, 04:05 PM

I assume most will say either 1984 or 1985.

John Schroader · #3 11-09-2009, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian White

I assume most will say either 1984 or 1985.

Probably so. I think '86 was the beginning of the alum head (or so I've read on this forum). Late 70's to somewhere around '80 was naturally aspiriated. Early to mid '80's were considered the hey day, as far as I've been told.

pawoSD · #4 11-09-2009, 04:23 PM

Our 83 300d is great.....no issues....plus its cheaper (a lot) to register in MI since it is pre-84

JHZR2 · #5 11-09-2009, 04:28 PM

had an 83, my first. Was a great car, until it got hit.

85s have some unique parts, 82 was the first year of the 617.952 in a w123. I think 83 and 84 are the best .

#6 11-09-2009, 05:45 PM

Assuming we are talking about the 617 engine (cast iron head), the 77 through 81 is non-turbo. The 82 through 84 turbos are very similar (nearly identical). The 85 has some design differences from the 82-84 models (slightly more complex). The 86 and later cars are completly different.

WhoWhat · #7 11-09-2009, 06:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pawoSD

Our 83 300d is great.....no issues....plus its cheaper (a lot) to register in MI since it is pre-84

x2. If I had to do it over, I would get an 83. Michigan's SOS is bull - 1984 or newer vehicles have a registration price based on the original MSRP. My 1984 cost me almost double what my wife's 2004 Pilot did.

Mechanically, it's been said...pretty darn close to being identical in turbo-guise, outside of the '85.

compu_85 · #8 11-09-2009, 06:38 PM

So what's the rate for 83 and older vehicles?

My SDL's plates costs over 2x what my TDI's do. So does the insurance

-J

DeliveryValve · #9 11-09-2009, 06:44 PM

Personally I feel '83 is the best year. Not as complicated with electronics and with all the vacuum stuff the '85s have and the cali '84s. It also has in my opinion the best interior aesthetics. I like the MB Tex seat pleat design. I've owned an '84 and I didn't like that interior.

I think it is the best foundation for improvements that the other years might have. i.e. 1985 2.88 differential ratio for better highway cruising.

.

WhoWhat · #10 11-09-2009, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

So what's the rate for 83 and older vehicles?

My SDL's plates costs over 2x what my TDI's do. So does the insurance

-J

It's based on vehicle weight.

http://michigan.gov/sos/0,1607,7-127-1585_14651-75432--,00.html

Jeremy5848 · #11 11-09-2009, 08:22 PM

Most of the changes made over the years by Mercedes are relatively small; the two big ones IMHO are the change from the "dreaded servo" to ACC III, which I think made its first appearance in 1983, and the change from NA to turbo in (?) 1981 on the 300D, earlier on the SD.

Joseph_Conrad · #12 11-09-2009, 08:36 PM

I'm partial to the '84, of course. A nice even year. And, here in Washington state, after your car's 25 years old (this will soon apply to nearly all 300Ds, I suppose), it means no emissions testing. One less thing to have to deal with is nice.