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Mercedes Benz E300D VS VW Jetta TDI 2006.
I will like to ask a question to all Diesel lovers in this forum. If you had $10K to spend for a car which car will you choose:
1. MB 1999 E300D 160K miles good condition. 2 VW Jetta TDI five spped manual. 95k miles. New timing chain. I am debating which car could be the best ( I am aware thery are two different machines, but they also share some important points: Diesel, German technology , four door body etc) Thanks for your valuable imput. Pedrodiesel |
#2
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I loved my VW dearly. And really miss it (was rear ended 12/23/10)
I had a 2000 or Mark 4 chassis. The 2006 is a mark 5 chassis. Wonderful car. My father has a 2009 (same chassis different diesel engine) The 2006 has a PD or "pump dues" diesel engine. Which has been known to destroy it's own cam shaft. So that is an expensive part to worry about. Around $1200 That being said, I think the PD motor had a bad rep. And that the cams do fail, but not nearly ad often as the Internet (tdiclub) would have you to believe. The Mercedes. A better machine. More expensive to maintain maybe. But I have never owned or driven one. Unlike the VW Honestly whatever car you like more. I have tdiclub buddies that own both! Brian
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87' 300DT (Grey w/ red leather) 87' 300TDT (silver w/ palamino tex) SOLD 2012 VW JSW TDI (on tdiclub.com all the time "btcost") |
#3
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I'd say drive both and see which one you like better.
It is likely that the Tdi will get much better mileage, and should be cheaper to keep on the road. it will not ride nor drive like a Mercedes, and won't have the space. The E300 will be bigger and ride nicer, but at a price.
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Gone to the dark side - Jeff |
#4
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I have a 2004 Jetta Wagon TDI. It has the PD engine. The big thing with these engines is to make sure they have been using the right oil. The wrong oil can destroy the cam like stated before. I get an average of 42mpg, with the low being about 32 and the high 53. I have no complaints about the VW other than it does feel pretty small even the wagon, though it's still comfortable on long drives.
Timing belt maintenance is critical, the VW diesel engines are interference engines and if you loose the timing belt you will bend/break valves and possible destroy pistons depending on how lucky you are. VW's are cheaper all around as far as maintenance and parts go, but you do want to find a good TDI mechanic not a knuckle head at the dealer or some independent shop. I've never owned or driven a 2006 mercedes. So I can't really make a comparison.
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Andrew '04 Jetta TDI Wagon '82 300TD ~ Winnie ~ Sold '77 300D ~ Sold
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#5
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Fair assessment. A 99.5+ VW will be more resistant to rust then the E300D. For 10k you can also get a really nice one, have it serviced, put some go fast parts on, and drive for a long time.
I haven't looked in a while, aren't nice E300D's selling for close to 10k? -J
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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states! Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels. 2014 Cadillac ELR 2013 Fiat 500E. |
#6
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there is a nice 99 E300D with 86000 selling on CL in boston.
The VW will not rust as easy and it will be a newer vehicle. One day i took my E300D to the VW dealer to test drive a 2010 TDI. decided very quickly not to go down that road. In my mind its so that once you are used to a MB its hard to get adjusted to a VW. The ride and feel is night and day between the cars. |
#7
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The VW has better fuel economy but otherwise the Benz is a far nicer car. In any case, you need to buy the car with the better set of service records.
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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 |
#8
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I have a '98 E300 and a '10 Jetta TDI. The body integrity and ride of my 200K mile E beats that of the Jetta that has only 9K miles. With that said, I've put a lot of money into the E to keep it up - replaced a/c, glow plugs (while the parts aren't too expensive, the labor to get them out without snapping them in two was ridiculous), basically replaced the entire suspension, fan clutch, o-rings on the fuel lines (twice)...suffice it to say it's been expensive.
I had a '90 Jetta that, beside scheduled r&r for the 155K I owned it, only had an auxiliary fuel pump fail that cost $88 to replace. If you want something economical, buy the Jetta. If you want a car that can still look relevant ten years from now - and rides great - buy the E300. |
#9
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i'd take the vw. the merc is bigger and a lil more solid but the can crank out some mpg's.
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1993 e300 1995 e320 1994 e320 2006 s500 4matic 2004 Jeep wj overland 2001 Ducati 748 2004 Honda shadow aero |
#10
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They're really very different cars. You need to decide if you want a fancy apple or a frugal orange.
-J
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1991 350SDL. 230,000 miles (new motor @ 150,000). Blown head gasket Tesla Model 3. 205,000 miles. Been to 48 states! Past: A fleet of VW TDIs.... including a V10,a Dieselgate Passat, and 2 ECOdiesels. 2014 Cadillac ELR 2013 Fiat 500E. |
#11
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Quote:
They both have too many miles to spend that much money on. I wouldn't spend the $10K on either one. I've never been a fan of VWs, not while Mercedes-Benz is still in business. Last edited by Skid Row Joe; 02-18-2011 at 12:45 AM. |
#12
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Quote:
The trashed '98-'99 E300s with the high miles, can be had for $5K. |
#13
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i wouldnt exactly call a w210 diesel a fancy apple. its pretty strip down and basic.
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1993 e300 1995 e320 1994 e320 2006 s500 4matic 2004 Jeep wj overland 2001 Ducati 748 2004 Honda shadow aero |
#14
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I have a '95 E300, so my comments would be biased. As others have said, they are completely different cars. If you don't mind shifting and like hot-roding around, the TDI would be the best choice. I used to have a PT Cruiser with a 5 speed and really enjoyed it, but now I just want to put it in drive, and go. I would think the E300 would be a more comfortable highway cruiser than the VW, but it still depends on what your car needs are. If it is purely MPG you are looking for, the choice should be easy. However, if I had to make the same choice, I would probably choose the 'Benz. The 'Benz should get around 30 MPG, which is very respectable for the size of the car. If you are planning on running Biofuel (WVO,SVO etc), the 'Benz would be the better choice IMO. Either car likes B100.
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All Diesel Fleet 1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL 2005 E320 CDI (daily) LOTS of parts for sale! EGR block kit http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html 1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This! Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst. Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11): http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html |
#15
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Do not buy a jetta with an automatic transmission. You may be very sorry.
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