I don't get the fascination with gassers. - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

winmutt · #1 12-16-2014, 08:37 PM

Here I have been driving diesels for almost 10 years and I have forgotten what they are like. I have been driving my wifes wagon on and off and I don't think I could expect more out of an I6 with that mass.

I drove a 01 540i this week. Was not impressed.
Drove a 300sl manual today. Was not impressed.

My stock 1991 300D was more impressive than the 540i.

If anything this apparent need to buy a new car has only reaffirmed that I should keep what I have.

If anything I am thinking about getting a 95 e300d and dropping a turbo 606 + upgraded pump in along with a manual trans. Getting a comparable gasser is going to run 20k and last half as long with twice as much maintenance and half the fuel economy.

sleepstar · #2 12-16-2014, 08:55 PM

well you're preaching to the choir here

i've been told that in the early 80s GM made a bad diesel so thats why we're never allowed to have them again.

compu_85 · #3 12-16-2014, 08:56 PM

One word: Torque

-J

sixto · #4 12-16-2014, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

If anything I am thinking about getting a 95 e300d and dropping a turbo 606 + upgraded pump in along with a manual trans. Getting a comparable gasser is going to run 20k and last half as long with twice as much maintenance and half the fuel economy.

A 94-95 E420 will cost closer to $5K than $20K. What you spend on an engine swap, upgraded pump and other mods will pay for a new timing chain and head gasket job if necessary and lots of premium fuel.

I'm not a fan of BMWs but I'd take the 540i in a heartbeat if I had to find the quick way around a track. The quicker it is, the less time I have to spend behind the wheel

Sixto
MB-less

vstech · #5 12-16-2014, 09:21 PM

Snag an e420 subframe, and get the driveshaft mod to fit the manual you install... Mmmmm tall gears with posi behind a supergrunt turbo 606!!!

ah-kay · #6 12-16-2014, 10:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by compu_85

One word: Torque

-J

You are right there. I bought a 335d with 265hp and 425lb-ft of torque and is tunable if you chose to. It was a blast to drive. It beats most cars on stop light to stop light acceleration. Overtaking at 70mph is a walk in the park. You touch the pedal and it is at 100mph.

Zacharias · #7 12-16-2014, 10:06 PM

Diesel is a lifestyle. Maybe an obsession. You just get a feeling that diesel is right.

You get addicted to that feeling of torque.

I drove a friend's old TDi. Boy was that a mistake. As much as I love the 617s, the TDi gets the job done at ridiculously low revs.

I have avoided them ever since, lest they draw me away from the Star fold.

I imagine driving a nice 602/603/606 et al. for a week would have the same effect on me.

interzonearts · #8 12-16-2014, 10:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharias

I drove a friend's old TDi. Boy was that a mistake. As much as I love the 617s, the TDi gets the job done at ridiculously low revs.

You can get the low end torque with the 617. It just needs a turbo that spools quicker. I got a cheep-made-in -china ball bearing turbo in my truck and it pulls real strong in low rpms.

compu_85 · #9 12-16-2014, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharias

I drove a friend's old TDi. Boy was that a mistake. As much as I love the 617s, the TDi gets the job done at ridiculously low revs.

The best case is to have one of both. Or in our case two

I need to get my 99.5 retuned... with a refurbished injection pump it's slipping the clutch, which should be good for just over 300 foot pounds!

-J

vstech · #10 12-16-2014, 11:36 PM

In 87 when we bought our first astrology van I REALLY wanted the diesel option... alas it wasn't available at the lease shop. Kept driving my Olds diesel wagon until I was struck from behind... folded up that rear bad.
I love my MB diesels but the 6.5l turbo truck runs circles around all but the 87 wagon with the alda removed.

uberwasser · #11 12-16-2014, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

Here I have been driving diesels for almost 10 years and I have forgotten what they are like. I have been driving my wifes wagon on and off and I don't think I could expect more out of an I6 with that mass.

I drove a 01 540i this week. Was not impressed.
Drove a 300sl manual today. Was not impressed.

My stock 1991 300D was more impressive than the 540i.

If anything this apparent need to buy a new car has only reaffirmed that I should keep what I have.

If anything I am thinking about getting a 95 e300d and dropping a turbo 606 + upgraded pump in along with a manual trans. Getting a comparable gasser is going to run 20k and last half as long with twice as much maintenance and half the fuel economy.

I think there might be some bias to your assessments of those other cars

Was the 540i an auto? Can you be sure of how well cared for it is?

The 6-speed E39 540i does a flat 5-second 0-60. And a 13.9 quarter mile. Electronically limited to 155mph. Even if your stock 300D is the I6 turbo it's not there or even close. And the variable valve timing of those later M62TU V8 engines made for a thick and linear torque band (with 325lb-ft available at 3,600rpm), diesel like in a way without lag. You can drive them around shifting at 1,500rpm all day. Cruising at that engine speed you can then floor it and it will pull smooth all the way to 6,000rpm. It's a pretty great car. I know, I own one

That said, I still like my diesel's better and plan to sell the BMW because I just don't drive it that much anymore. But not because I think the diesels will be faster or more impressive from a performance aspect. Just because I like them better. And that is OK, it doesn't need to be more than that.

Lucas · #12 12-16-2014, 11:57 PM

Not that I don't love diesels, but a 4 cyl turbo is the best option for gasses in my opinion. I had an 04 VW passat, loved it. Last model off the line in Munich. When you got inside it was all Audi. Pretty much an A4.

I would get 34 mpg at 90 mph. Automatic with tiptronic, you could keep the revs and boost up easily when on country roads. I flashed it and did a few mods, and it was quick.

I put 180k on it, LA to Sacramento. Started to shift hard, lots of plastic breaking. Crashed into a tree, 4500 in damage and 4800 blue book. Kept the cash, sold the car for $1800. I paid $12k for it with 50k miles on it.

That was a good car. I also hit 5 deer in it. Minimal damage. No joke.

That's what got me started onto the Germans.

tbomachines · #13 12-17-2014, 12:43 AM

Well, I get it. I drive a little roadster with almost 300hp on tap with a LSD, much more with a tune. Also better mpg and lower price per gallon than diesel. I don't get buying say a 420sel vs a 300sdl though.

Sent from an abacus

Mark DiSilvestro · #14 12-17-2014, 05:55 AM

I enjoyed old gasser Benzes for many years, including a couple Fintails and a W114 250 sedan. None of my W123 diesels can beat the smooth, refined power of those old straight-sixes. With my last gasser Benz - a '60 Fintail 220S - except for some valve-train noise, you couldn't even tell when the engine was idling. It was that smooth! But when fuel prices went into the riduculous $2 to $3 range after Katrina, I simply couldn't justify the 12 to 14 mpg I was getting in local driving (on premium fuel!). So when terminal rust finally retired the Fintail in 2006, a tired & rusty $225 automatic 240D became my introduction to the diesel world. At least that car would still get nearly 20 mpg in the city and mid 20s on the road. I've since graduated to a Euro 5-speed 300TD and a very solid 4-speed 240D. Both manage 20 mpg or better in the city, and up to around 30 highway. But I still miss those old sixes.

Happy Motoring, Mark

alabbasi · #15 12-17-2014, 07:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winmutt

My stock 1991 300D was more impressive than the 540i.

That must have been the biggest POS 540i on the planet.