Looking for my first diesel. Which one should I choose?

1980 300SD or 198x (W123s) 300D?

I like the W116 because it looks like the 123...

How about parts and price of these ... Same?

Any important thing to know?

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1972 W108 280SE 4.5
1977 W116 450SEL
1981 E12 528i BMW

Nobody?

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1972 W108 280SE 4.5
1977 W116 450SEL
1981 E12 528i BMW

I hate to tell you which way to go on your question.

My first MB was an '83 300SD that was 8 years old. I thought the SD looked like a rich man's car, so being vain - that was what I bought and drove for 8 years.

I can't tell you which way to go, when I went with the S-Class MB as my first one.

In an area where I would not expect rust to be a problem, I would choose either model but based on the overall condition of the car. Of course the 123 is newer so there will be some things which are better because of the newer design, but mostly they are very very similar mechanically.

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

The 80SD is a turbo engine, what yr is the 198X? around 110HP

80 & 81 W123 would be None Turbo. Around 88HP

82 - 85 W123 would be a Turbo engine. Around 123HP.


It is all about the condition of the vehicles.

Charlie

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there were three HP ratings on the OM616...

1) Not much power
2) Even less power
3) Not nearly enough power!! 240D w/auto

Anyone that thinks a 240D is slow drives too fast.

80 240D Naturally Exasperated, 4-Spd 388k DD 150mph spedo 3:58 Diff

We are advised to NOT judge ALL Muslims by the actions of a few lunatics, but we are encouraged to judge ALL gun owners by the actions of a few lunatics. Funny how that works

I should have address TURBO... And probably an 82 W123.

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1972 W108 280SE 4.5
1977 W116 450SEL
1981 E12 528i BMW

Either should be fine. Buy the best condition car you can afford. My only other advice is to avoid non turbo automatics. A 240D with a stick is surprisingly fun to drive for a car with less horsepower than my motorcycle, but if I'm stuck with an automatic, I want the power of a 617.950 at a minimum.

Even the turbo-diesels will be considerably slower than the 280SE 4.5 in your sig.

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Whoever said there's nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes never had a cheap Jaguar.

83 300D Turbo with manual conversion, early W126 vented front rotors and H4 headlights 400,xxx miles
08 Suzuki GSX-R600 M4 Slip-on 22,xxx miles
88 Jaguar XJS V12 94,xxx miles. Work in progress.

depends on how you drive, and how you like the roominess of the interior.
I find the 123's to be cramped after driving the 126, the 116 is similar interior wise to the 126's roominess. 124 is SLIGHTLY roomier than the 123, but it's a LOT more comfortable! still like the roominess of the 126 though.

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John HAUL AWAY, OR CRUSHED CARS!!! HELP ME keep the cars out of the crusher! A/C Thread
"as I ride with my a/c on... I have fond memories of sweaty oily saturdays and spewing R12 into the air. THANKS for all you do!

My drivers:
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5Turbo
1987 190D 2.5-5SPEED!!!

1987 300TD
1987 300TD
1994GMC 2500 6.5Turbo truck... I had to put the ladder somewhere!

What's the reason for wanting a diesel?

You've got two great cars listed in your signature.

At least one of those vehicles will probably make any OM617 powered diesel feel a bit slow.

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!

how much are parts for your SE? they'd be the same for the SD.. except for engine parts of course, but the 617 in the SD is the same as in the w123.. so it all evens out

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

I have had this desire for a diesel MB since I recall. Specially the W123, there is something about its looks, that I can't describe, plus the indestructible feeling... It's like those TONKA toys I had when I was a kid. ...

I started searching for a W123, but found out the W116 has the same looks, just a little bigger. I only like the double round lights cars, not the Euro version. And that's why I'm not considering something like a W126.
Saw a couple of good looking w116s lately.

And yes, It's like the yin for my AMG yang

I also have a great desire for a BMW 2002... Im torn between these since I can't have both.

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1972 W108 280SE 4.5
1977 W116 450SEL
1981 E12 528i BMW

The parts are expensive for the w108....

Are you saying that, except for engine, the 123's are cheaper ?

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1972 W108 280SE 4.5
1977 W116 450SEL
1981 E12 528i BMW

nah i thought your SE was a 116. i was saying it probably all evens out. it might be different if the engine in the 300SD was not a 617.

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1981 NA 300D 310k miles

Are there a lot of vintage MB diesels in Mexico City, that have perhaps been well-cared for? Are you legally able to import one that spent it's life in the U.S.? I would think so (yes) because I see Mexicans towing desirable old (from the early '90s mostly - NOT collector cars) American cars toward Old Mexico on the Interstate highways here in Texas, so I figured there must be money in it for the ones doing the ferrying of these old cars/pickups. Perhaps they're using these old vehicles for parts cars too in Mexico?

Lastly, what is the cost (in U.S. dollars) in Mexico for a gallon of gasoline and diesel fuel? Just curious? Thanks!

Based on your additional information I'd stick with your original choice - the W123 - happy hunting!

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1992 W201 190E 1.8 171,000 km - Daily driver
1981 W123 300D ~ 100,000 miles / 160,000 km - project car stripped to the bone
1965 Land Rover Series 2a Station Wagon CIS recovery therapy!
1961 Volvo PV544 Bare metal rat rod-ish thing

I'm here to chat about cars and to help others - I'm not here "to always be right" like an internet warrior



Don't leave that there - I'll take it to bits!