Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 02-17-2011, 07:16 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 22
Smile 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

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 02-17-2011, 07:29 PM
BrianCostello's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Boston
Posts: 198
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
__________________
87' 300DT (Grey w/ red leather)
87' 300TDT (silver w/ palamino tex) SOLD

2012 VW JSW TDI (on tdiclub.com all the time "btcost")
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 02-17-2011, 07:53 PM
babymog's Avatar
Loose Cannon - No Balls
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: Northeast Indiana
Posts: 10,765
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.
__________________

Gone to the dark side

- Jeff
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 02-17-2011, 08:12 PM
Biodiesel300TD's Avatar
|3iodiesel300T|)
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Albany, OR
Posts: 4,845
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.
__________________
Andrew
'04 Jetta TDI Wagon
'82 300TD ~ Winnie ~ Sold
'77 300D ~ Sold
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 02-17-2011, 09:00 PM
compu_85's Avatar
Cruisin on Electric Ave.
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: La Conner, WA
Posts: 5,234
Quote:
Originally Posted by babymog View Post
The E300 will be bigger and ride nicer, but at a price.
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
__________________
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.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 02-17-2011, 10:15 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Manchester,NH
Posts: 392
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.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 02-17-2011, 11:13 PM
Jeremy5848's Avatar
Registered Biodiesel User
 
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Sonoma Wine Country
Posts: 8,402
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.
__________________

"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
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 02-17-2011, 11:51 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Central TX
Posts: 89
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.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 02-17-2011, 11:51 PM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BAKERSFIELD, CA
Posts: 1,466
i'd take the vw. the merc is bigger and a lil more solid but the can crank out some mpg's.
__________________
1993 e300
1995 e320
1994 e320
2006 s500 4matic
2004 Jeep wj overland
2001 Ducati 748
2004 Honda shadow aero
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 02-18-2011, 12:04 AM
compu_85's Avatar
Cruisin on Electric Ave.
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: La Conner, WA
Posts: 5,234
They're really very different cars. You need to decide if you want a fancy apple or a frugal orange.

-J
__________________
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.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 02-18-2011, 12:16 AM
Skid Row Joe's Avatar
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: #KeepingAmericaGreat!
Posts: 7,071
Quote:
Originally Posted by pedrodiesel View Post
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
Neither.

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.
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 02-18-2011, 12:22 AM
Skid Row Joe's Avatar
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: #KeepingAmericaGreat!
Posts: 7,071
Quote:
Originally Posted by compu_85 View Post
I haven't looked in a while, aren't nice E300D's selling for close to 10k?

-J
Yes, ('98/'99) if they're in nice condition with low miles on them, books/records, $10K and up.

The trashed '98-'99 E300s with the high miles, can be had for $5K.
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 02-18-2011, 12:47 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: BAKERSFIELD, CA
Posts: 1,466
Quote:
Originally Posted by compu_85 View Post
They're really very different cars. You need to decide if you want a fancy apple or a frugal orange.

-J
i wouldnt exactly call a w210 diesel a fancy apple. its pretty strip down and basic.
__________________
1993 e300
1995 e320
1994 e320
2006 s500 4matic
2004 Jeep wj overland
2001 Ducati 748
2004 Honda shadow aero
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 02-18-2011, 01:18 AM
ROLLGUY's Avatar
ROLLGUY
 
Join Date: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,229
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.
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 02-18-2011, 02:15 AM
Registered User
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: Nova Scotia, Canada.
Posts: 6,510
Do not buy a jetta with an automatic transmission. You may be very sorry.

Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:54 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page