Newbie seeks sagely wisdom - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

shertex · #16 07-21-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hertfordnc

Off the line performance is not that important (why would i be looking at 3700 lb diesel) I do like a car that is comfortable at 80 mph for extended periods.

Good to know about the tank- swap option.

I definitely plan to work on the car myself but I don't want that to become my new hobby

thanks

Dave

A 90-93 300D will drive all day long at 80 or more with ease.

JHZR2 · #17 07-21-2012, 06:09 PM

I drove my 82 CD at 80 MPH at high altitudes with ease. Even a 617 should be able to do it!

Skippy · #18 07-21-2012, 06:36 PM

I've been known to run my '83 at 95 mph for extended periods while traversing the less populated parts of I80. Any of the turbodiesels or any non-turbo more recent than a 240D should be able to cruise at 80 for hours without a problem. Even a 240D will do it if the ground is flat and the car's in top shape, however many people dislike the noise they make under those conditions.

sixto · #19 07-21-2012, 06:44 PM

If off the line performance is important, why not a W124 Diesel? Mercedes turbodiesel 400+ hp - YouTube

Any US spec W124 Diesel is good for cruising at 80 mph. The '87 300D is better suited for cruising at 80 mph over the Sierras or whatever elevations you might encounter; cruise control, no downshifting, etc. On level ground, the 2.5 and E300 are the hypermilers.

The '87 300D is available as the 300TD if a wagon appeals to you.

Sixto
87 300D^2

hertfordnc · #20 07-21-2012, 08:26 PM

The 87 keeps coming up here and other places. What distinguishes it from other years?

thanks

Dave

shertex · #21 07-21-2012, 08:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hertfordnc

The 87 keeps coming up here and other places. What distinguishes it from other years?

thanks

Dave

A 603 engine in a 124 body; very nice, very fast. I want one. In fact, I want Sixto to ship me his as a gift....but my subtle hints haven't yielded much.

shertex · #22 07-21-2012, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

A 603 engine in a 124 body; very nice, very fast. I want one. In fact, I want Sixto to ship me his as a gift....but my subtle hints haven't yielded much.

The 603 engine has a noticeably stronger feel than the 602 (6 cylinders instead of 5)....and I say that as a diehard 602 fanatic.

vstech · #23 07-21-2012, 09:46 PM

I know where a rough 95 is low bucks
& I have a few 87's

Bio300TDTdriver · #24 07-22-2012, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hertfordnc

criteria:
- great MPG
- price $2-4K
- either good resale or a very good deal (or both)
- highly reliable - (additional maintenance is OK)

Pretty sure the 240D would be too slow. My current car is about as slow as i can tolerate (0-60 in 13 sec)

This would be a daily driver, i have no interest in restoring a classic. I'd like to find one with a few blemishes and I would regularly add a few more.

I hope this question provokes some good discussion

Dave

There is no Mercedes that meets ALL your criteria. You may want to define great mileage. Most folks on here are not familiar with the mpg of a HCH II. We averaged over 40 mpg with ours after the flash of the software, 50 mpg before that. Good luck finding that at any price in an MB. The '87 124 is 25 years old, expect to spend $$$ on it every year, especially if you pay $2,000 for one.

hertfordnc · #25 07-22-2012, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bio300TDTdriver

There is no Mercedes that meets ALL your criteria. You may want to define great mileage. Most folks on here are not familiar with the mpg of a HCH II. We averaged over 40 mpg with ours after the flash of the software, 50 mpg before that. Good luck finding that at any price in an MB. The '87 124 is 25 years old, expect to spend $$$ on it every year, especially if you pay $2,000 for one.

I'm not expecting HCH mileage from any Mercedes. high 20s to 30's would be fine. Don't expect a $2000 car to be trouble free.

At $4k there is a chance i won't have to get under it much in the first year. But from what I've read, there is still a chance I'll have to get under it on the drive home.

In my criteria "highly reliable" means years of continued use. Over the Honda I might be trading off short term reliability.

Did you really get 50 MPG? I don't think my ECM was ever messed with but the best i can do is 42 with rock hard tires.

thanks

shertex · #26 07-22-2012, 09:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hertfordnc

I'm not expecting HCH mileage from any Mercedes. high 20s to 30's would be fine. Don't expect a $2000 car to be trouble free.

At $4k there is a chance i won't have to get under it much in the first year. But from what I've read, there is still a chance I'll have to get under it on the drive home.

In my criteria "highly reliable" means years of continued use. Over the Honda I might be trading off short term reliability.

Did you really get 50 MPG? I don't think my ECM was ever messed with but the best i can do is 42 with rock hard tires.

thanks

Trust me, you can meet all your criteria. You can find a good condition 90-93 300D with around 200k miles in the $3-4k range.. You'll get a solid 30 mpg and it will be reliable. Just be patient....wait for the right car with a reasonable maintenance history and no rust.

Bio300TDTdriver · #27 07-22-2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shertex

Trust me, you can meet all your criteria. You can find a good condition 90-93 300D with around 200k miles in the $3-4k range.. You'll get a solid 30 mpg and it will be reliable. Just be patient....wait for the right car with a reasonable maintenance history and no rust.

But he said highly reliable. I don't think any car that old is highly reliable. Also 0-60 of 13 seconds he can barely tolerate. So as was stated earlier it will take a OM602 that is in PERFECT tune to do that.

It will meet his mileage criteria, but not much else.

Bio300TDTdriver · #28 07-22-2012, 10:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hertfordnc

I'm not expecting HCH mileage from any Mercedes. high 20s to 30's would be fine. Don't expect a $2000 car to be trouble free.

At $4k there is a chance i won't have to get under it much in the first year. But from what I've read, there is still a chance I'll have to get under it on the drive home.

In my criteria "highly reliable" means years of continued use. Over the Honda I might be trading off short term reliability.

Did you really get 50 MPG? I don't think my ECM was ever messed with but the best i can do is 42 with rock hard tires.

thanks

Yes from May until October for 12 fill ups totaling over 6,000 miles it averaged over 50 mpg.

If I were you and you have to have a Mercedes diesel, I would look for the best '95 that you can find. Look for one with a stack of maintenance records that are up to date. It should come from a rust free area of the country. I would expect to pay more than $4,000 for my hypothetical car.

Bio300TDTdriver · #29 07-22-2012, 11:19 PM

Or you could by this '87.