Chime in -Which Diesel? 78 300CD or 91 300D 2.5 turbo? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

ROLLGUY · #16 08-13-2013, 01:19 AM

All the expense for fixing the servo is ON TOP of the cost to fix the A/C. Having a York compressor is actually less expensive than an R4 to retrofit to a Sanden. Aside from labor costs, a $40 bracket, $160 compressor, and around $100 in hoses and drier should get the A/C going. The electronic upgrade for the servo is your best bet in my opinion. However, all the potential problems with the 300D are minor compared to the amount of work and expense to get the CD up to par. Besides, the trans having been recently done in the D is a bonus, and makes it a better value all the way around, all things considered.....Rich

Austin85 · #17 08-13-2013, 01:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vstech

the servo is a chrysler climate control gadget that controls the heat, and a/c and it's fragile and problematic. I have a good one for sale if you go that route and it's needed.
those wheels belong on the 124... so they must have spacers on them to fit... not good.
there are plenty of other problems with the coupe. the HEAVY york a/c, the vacuum controlled seats, the trim that's ONLY available from other coupes, the rear window regulator that is ALWAYS broken...

the 2.5T has timing chain needs, and delivery valve leaks, and turbo rebuild needs, along with other engine and transmission possibilities in a 23year old vehicle...
I'd vote the 2.5T personally, but as said, if it was an 82+ it's a slam dunk for the coupe...

Will print this out and bring with me. You're not going to be down in Miami this week?? Are ya!! ( Yes if the CD was a turbo = mine.) The 300D Turbo is owned by the dad who bought from his mother inlaw who was the orig owner - he handed it down to his daughter for college so I hope he kept things safe for her - then bought her a newer car. So in the same family since new. Interior he says is near perfect. Asking $2000.

Thanks! All hoping for new diesel by weekend...

AA

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ROLLGUY · #18 08-13-2013, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin85

So in the same family since new. Interior he says is near perfect. Asking $2000.

..

I'd say buy it before someone snatches it out from under you at that price!

Austin85 · #19 08-13-2013, 02:35 AM

THERE IS A 4 SPEED 240 D STICK IN LUTZ FL CL IF OF INTEREST.

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Skippy · #20 08-13-2013, 06:02 AM

White car with dark tint=AC not that important even in Florida. No mountains or hills worth speaking of in that area. Get the 300CD.

JimFreeh · #21 08-13-2013, 07:06 AM

Having owned many examples of W123 and W124 cars, my vote is the W124, hands down, not even a contest.

Jim

Equestrian · #22 08-13-2013, 07:21 AM

Go with the W124 you wont regret it. if you think its quick now gut all that vacuum controled junk off it drop in a real pressure wastegate and man that 2.5 can rip. I consistently get 28 mpg on original injectors ac running and driven hard. Ive done alot of tinkering on mine and honestly its not hard to work on at all in my opinion. A well kept W124 is a beautiful thing and at $2200 is an awesome deal

Air&Road · #23 08-13-2013, 08:06 AM

This would be a good time to point out the top three criteria for consideration when selecting a used car:

1. condition
2. Condition
3. CONDITION

Best of luck with your choice, and enjoy it whichever it is.

aieeegrunt · #24 08-13-2013, 08:18 AM

My heart would want the coupe, but my head would advise the other

Mark DiSilvestro · #25 08-13-2013, 09:35 AM

If that coupe was a Euro, with a stickshift, manual heat-AC, manual windows, etc... I'd jump on it.
Otherwise, both cars are gadget-laden, potential money-pits. Since the coupe has alot more years on it, and the W124 is overall a nicer car, with a better history, without seeing them, I'd have to give the edge to the 2.5 turbo.
OTOH, I prefer to keep my old cars simple. A decent, solid, stickshift 240D would be my first choice.

Happy Motoring, Mark

JB3 · #26 08-13-2013, 09:51 AM

whats the price on the 240?

Were it me, id buy the 300CD, buy the local 240 4-speed, make the 300CD a 4-speed manual, swap over the 240 simple climate control, put the 300CD automatic in the 240, sell the 4 door for parts or repair, keep my 4-speed simple coupe with simple climate control.

Austin85 · #27 08-13-2013, 10:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Equestrian

Go with the W124 you wont regret it. if you think its quick now gut all that vacuum controled junk off it drop in a real pressure wastegate and man that 2.5 can rip. I consistently get 28 mpg on original injectors ac running and driven hard. Ive done alot of tinkering on mine and honestly its not hard to work on at all in my opinion. A well kept W124 is a beautiful thing and at $2200 is an awesome deal

Hey Eq, I have heard about the wastegate thing. I need to look that up too. Just talked with the owner and he pointed out few more things. The car was converted to 134A like 10 years ago, by his mother in law and he vacs out the freon every 3 years or so himself..said it does needs a recharge every 3 years.. ( Not thrilled about this news but that he mentions it as opposed to hides it , I guess is a + of sorts. ) Timing chain was done as scheduled . ( 75 or 90K a long time ago. ) His daughter who had the car for I guess past 4+ years didn't put on alot of miles...

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JamesDean · #28 08-13-2013, 10:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Austin85

Hey Eq, I have heard about the wastegate thing. I need to look that up too. Just talked with the owner and he pointed out few more things. The car was converted to 134A like 10 years ago, by his mother in law and he vacs out the freon every 3 years or so himself..said it does needs a recharge every 3 years.. ( Not thrilled about this news but that he mentions it as opposed to hides it , I guess is a + of sorts. ) Timing chain was done as scheduled . ( 75 or 90K a long time ago. ) His daughter who had the car for I guess past 4+ years didn't put on alot of miles...

....

I vote for the 300D.

The waste gate thing is not a huge problem. I was able to fix it for less than $100.

My only other significant problem with the failure of the plastic drive gear on the governor and output shaft in the transmission. $40 in parts to fix.

My car too has 134A and as long as its 85F or below it works pretty well. At least with its current charge and etc etc. I mean doing AC work is not horrible. I just bought a Robinaire vacuum pump for $100, new.

What is the schedule on the timing chain? I am curious, because i think my 300D was done at 197K, im now at 263k.

I paid $3850 for mine at 241k. I can post up my maintenance history log if you want to see. There are some prices of stuff done in there... etc.

I think the 300CD would be cool but a large amount of work over the 300D. plus....300D (iirc) is 120 HP?

Jeremy5848 · #29 08-13-2013, 10:56 AM

This is a strange comparison -- two completely different cars except for both wearing the star on their hoods. The older car is "classic" Mercedes while the 2.5 is much more modern and IMHO much more pleasant to drive. Then there's the question of storage (indoor?) and rust. A lot of humidity down there in the Mouth of the Rat.

Both cars are old enough that there may be some suspension components, especially the rubber parts, that will need replacement. The 2.5 will perk up and feel "new" again with some new rubber bits while the CD will always drive like a tractor. But it depends on what kind of a car you want. They're so completely different -- maybe you should get both, as some have said.

Jeremy

ROLLGUY · #30 08-13-2013, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aieeegrunt

My heart would want the coupe, but my head would advise the other

Well said, and pretty much sums it up. I say go with the D, your heart will soon follow.