Totalled the W123, should I get a 98/99 E300D or a 2005/2006 CDI? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skid Row Joe · #1 10-25-2010, 04:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustedbenz

I'd go with the 98-99 e300, myself. Older, slightly less electronic, better looking in my personal opinion, and a more tried-and-true engine design with less complications. Also, older = more forum experience, more indy mechanic experience, and more aftermarket parts solutions, leading to more accessible repairs and less expensive parts. Win all the way around as long as you don't get one with the spring perch issue.

I would too, versus ANY of the older stuff - unless I was INTO the older stuff.

The overiding consideration is what the OP wants, mated to what the OP wants to or can spend on a car. I'm old-fashioned, but I wouldn't buy anything I couldn't pay cash for - but I would not necessarily jump at the first car unless it fit the bill to a "T." Chances are the opposing insurance company will pay for a rental car for the OP for the next few weeks while he is making up his mind.

The '98-'99 ETD would be an outrageously improved upgrade from a W123-4 in numerous ways. Once you've driven one and get the thrill of it's performance AND economy, you'll likely never go back to the snails pace of any diesel pre-'98.

If he can swing it financially, the CDI would be the way to go I certainly would. Because over time, the CDIs and Bluetec are the better plays looong term going forward, versus the ETDs of '98-'99. Just my expert opinion there.....

Rust is not an issue (anytime soon) in Austin, Texas, where the OP is located.

bustedbenz · #2 10-25-2010, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I would too, versus ANY of the older stuff - unless I was INTO the older stuff.

The overiding consideration is what the OP wants, mated to what the OP wants to or can spend on a car. I'm old-fashioned, but I wouldn't buy anything I couldn't pay cash for - but I would not necessarily jump at the first car unless it fit the bill to a "T." Chances are the opposing insurance company will pay for a rental car for the OP for the next few weeks while he is making up his mind.

The '98-'99 ETD would be an outrageously improved upgrade from a W123-4 in numerous ways. Once you've driven one and get the thrill of it's performance AND economy, you'll likely never go back to the snails pace of any diesel pre-'98.

If he can swing it financially, the CDI would be the way to go I certainly would. Because over time, the CDIs and Bluetec are the better plays looong term going forward, versus the ETDs of '98-'99. Just my expert opinion there.....

Rust is not an issue (anytime soon) in Austin, Texas, where the OP is located.

I understand what you're saying. I really do. But I don't think I'll *ever* regard a Bluetec as a good long-term move. Anything that will electronically refuse to let me start it unless I refill their silly little emissions fluid tank... just doesn't sound "reliable" to me. I want a car that will start when I have to flee my home for whatever the next natural disaster is (I'm dramatizing here because I believe in being *READY* for the worst case even though I don't live in constant fear of it) even if I haven't changed its little urea fluid tank on time.

That's why the 3 I own are all 80's models. They may be older and slower, but I know that as long as there's current available from the battery and fuel/fluids in the thing, they're PROBABLY going to start every time I turn the key, or else be fixable without a computer problem when they do go down. It's all preferences. So I guess I'm just saying two things, 1) that I'm among those who are "into" the older stuff for those reasons, and 2) Even if CDI is the next best long-term gamble, I'm not ready to give Bluetec *with* urea injection that much credit yet. I understand from a previous thread debate that not ALL Blue-tec labeled Benzes actually use urea systems, so in my post, the comments about Bluetec assume that urea IS used.

Skid Row Joe · #3 10-25-2010, 08:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustedbenz

I understand what you're saying. I really do. But I don't think I'll *ever* regard a Bluetec as a good long-term move. Anything that will electronically refuse to let me start it unless I refill their silly little emissions fluid tank... just doesn't sound "reliable" to me. I want a car that will start when I have to flee my home for whatever the next natural disaster is (I'm dramatizing here because I believe in being *READY* for the worst case even though I don't live in constant fear of it) even if I haven't changed its little urea fluid tank on time.

That's why the 3 I own are all 80's models. They may be older and slower, but I know that as long as there's current available from the battery and fuel/fluids in the thing, they're PROBABLY going to start every time I turn the key, or else be fixable without a computer problem when they do go down. It's all preferences. So I guess I'm just saying two things, 1) that I'm among those who are "into" the older stuff for those reasons, and 2) Even if CDI is the next best long-term gamble, I'm not ready to give Bluetec *with* urea injection that much credit yet. I understand from a previous thread debate that not ALL Blue-tec labeled Benzes actually use urea systems, so in my post, the comments about Bluetec assume that urea IS used.

The guy wants to move *FORWARD* in diesel models to a "'98-'99 ETD OR an '05-'06 CDI" - NOT backwards.

I don't know of any Bluetec that requires urea or whatever you're talking about?

bustedbenz · #4 10-25-2010, 09:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

The guy wants to move *FORWARD* in diesel models to a "'98-'99 ETD OR an '05-'06 CDI" - NOT backwards.

I know. That's why it was my original suggestion. I wasn't proposing that the OP should get another 80s model. I never suggested it.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I don't know of any Bluetec that requires urea or whatever you're talking about?

From 2008: http://green.autoblog.com/2008/10/20/mercedes-new-bluetec-diesels-will-not-start-if-urea-runs-out/

Relevant quote from: http://www.dieselnet.com/news/2006/09daimler.php

Quote:

Urea/AdBlue SCR technology will be introduced in 2008 Bluetec M-, R- and GL-Class models, announced Mercedes. The urea injection technology will enable these vehicles to be certified to the Tier 2 Bin 5 standard, and be offered in all 50 states. The announcement implies that DaimlerChrysler has reached, or is about to reach, an agreement regarding the use of urea based systems with the US EPA, who had voiced concerns about the emission compliance when using SCR technology, and the urea distribution infrastructure.

By 2009, several of them had it: http://www.roadandtrack.com/future-cars/bluetec-diesels-the-2009-mercedes-benz-ml-320-gl-320-and-r-320

I admit that I was wrong. I thought anything that said Bluetec on the trunk had urea injection. It turns out the 2006-07ish Bluetecs and maybe some 08s ran without urea injection by just having special exhaust systems. But most of the really ultra-new Bluetecs definitely seem to require it.

Wodnek · #5 10-25-2010, 09:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skid Row Joe

I would too, versus ANY of the older stuff - unless I was INTO the older stuff.

Th
The '98-'99 ETD would be an outrageously improved upgrade from a W123-4 in numerous ways. Once you've driven one and get the thrill of it's performance AND economy, you'll likely never go back to the snails pace of any diesel pre-'98.

.

I don't think of my 87 300D as going at a snails pace.

largelybored · #6 10-26-2010, 12:02 AM

Adjuster offered me $2k for my car today...life just isn't ever easy is it?

I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

arcticathlon · #7 10-26-2010, 12:10 AM

When i was T-Boned in my 1985 300D, i was not really injured, and i received about 7k for pain and suffering plus the car. They did not total it, so i was also able to keep it. i parted it out and had the cash to buy the 240D and another 300D.

I received nearly 5k for my 300D with 180k miles on it. It was in nice shape when it was take off the road. i would fight for more cash, especially on the pain and suffering side, since you were actually hurt (i was just sad).

andrewjtx · #8 10-26-2010, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by largelybored

Adjuster offered me $2k for my car today...life just isn't ever easy is it?

I'll let ya'll know how it goes.

Wow. What balls. When I got my first offer, we were on our way out of town. He asked me if I was sitting down. (WTF do I need to be seated for, exactly)

When he dropped the number, I told him I just wanted his name and phone number. I'd call him back when my disgust has subsided...