I just sold my '83 300d without ever driving the car on the road. I am now looking for a car that needs no major work to drive daily. I have my eye on the 1987 300d in the classifieds here but this is the problem: My commute is only 1.5 miles!
Now I know this isn't much of a problem (especially in Atlanta), but I'm not sure a diesel can get up to operating temps to be very efficient in 1.5 miles. I won't be driving it to work only. I'm often out and about during the day, but mostly I'll be driving to work. I'm on the road about 3 min. before I get there.
Any comments or observations? Should I just get an efficient gasser?

gassers and diesels do not do very well on that short of a trip. That said, if you do go out and about, the diesel should be fine. Nice highway trips on the weekends will keep them happy, gasser or diesel.

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RRGrassi


70's Southern Pacific #5608 Fairmont A-4 MOW car

13 VW JSW 2.0 TDI 193K, Tuned with DPF and EGR Delete.

91 W124 300D Turbo replaced, Pressure W/G actuator installed. 210K

90 Dodge D250 5.9 Cummins/5 speed. 400K

get a bicycle

thats no fun ! Welcome him to the diesel family!

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Regards,
Ian White

1995 E300 Diesel w124 OM606
2014 E550 w212 M278 biturbo

2001 BMW 740i E38 M62 (past)
1981 300SD w126 OM617 (past)

Seriously....1.5 miles? WALK or BIKE. Leave the diesel at home.

I hate to say it, but a hybrid (or electric) car would be best for a commute like that. Or just drive around a little on the way to/from work so that its like 4-5 miles total...that would get it warmed up much better.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

I've biked the 1-2 miles to work before but the idea of biking 20 miles to the other side of Fulton County doesn't seem like a whole lot of fun. I also can't buy a hybrid for $2000 or less (not that I would). And while Atlanta enjoys a generally warm climate, late December through February is usually 35-50 degrees out. Maybe Davenport has better weather in the winter. Not cycling weather.

Well if you must commute, I'd get a gasser MB and try to "extend" my route to work a bit. Most gasser MB's are fully warmed up within 2-3 miles....the diesels take a lot longer, especially if it is cold outside.

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Get both, a diesel and a bike.

Lol. That's never stopped me. Though I use a ski mask when it gets colder.

Your mpg will suffer a good amount if you only drive that far.

One winter I did a lot of 2-3 mile total trips, and got only 22.5 on that tank. Eek!

Or, as other said, take the long way to work...I always do! I love to drive my car.

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Dan
2005 E320 CDI - 246k
1987 300SDL TD05-16g, Herlevi pump, Elbe manifold, 2.47 LSD - 213k
Past: 1987 300D - 264k

Yeah, I would put in my support for the bike. It's better for your health. If you're only in Atlanta, you can bike all year. I bike 6 miles to school all year in New England, unless there's more than a few centimeters of snow on the road. If you insist on automotion, motorcycle. Those outta warm up reasonably quickly, small and air cooled. Get the diesel too, just don't drive it to work.

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

Or a Segway, like Gob.

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1983 240D 3.0T 4-speed manual, now sold

1989 Subaru GL Wagon 5-speed Touring Edition

Are you serious?

Walk you fool! Think of the money you'll save.

I wish I had a commute that short.

Edit: I walked to school in temperatures colder then that WITH snow. One way down hill and back up again. Burn some calories and get a pair of headphones. Listen to the radio, mp3 player, and ponder the meaning of life!


I love my walks. You get to think about stuff more then you can when you drive.

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-Typos courtesy of my mobile phone.

Well.... We live in a "consumer based society" right? Get up earlier, drive to get a paper, drive over to Starbucks (through the drive thru) and get your Latte then head over to the park to do some reading. When your all pumped up on coffee... Head to work and "let them have it"!!

The car should be nice and warm by then.

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AJ

1985 300D (SOLD)

If you really want to drive a car . . . get a diesel, but . . . to warm it up, just get a block heater!

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82 240D Manual 277K and still rolling!
02 Volvo S60 AWD For Sale

A 603 won't be happy with such short trips. I used to work a mile from my house and mine was never happy. You need to take it on long rides to blow it out or it will run like crap.

The 617 in my SD never cared. I would get a 617 for all around town work.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200