I'm new and would like you all opinion on which to buy
2000 and above is way above my budget
I need ac. Heater not necessary
Thanks

Year 2000 or 2000 dollars?

I'm partial to the W123 chassis myself. They all came with AC AFAIK, but few still have it working. You can get a cheap one for well under $2000 if you look hard.

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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.

Can you do your own mechanic work ?
If you get a car which needs stuff... the 123 model was the most produced model..
so most places parts cars are available for it.... if you have room... complete parts cars are really helpful on these old relics....

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1980 240d ,

chain elongation, cam marks reference:
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=10414

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/305365-9-degrees-chain-stretch.html

evap fin cleaning:

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?t=156207&highlight=evaporator

A/C thread

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/297462-c-recommendations-mb-vehicles.html

The w123 is a favourite, however is a little antiquated these days. The w124 would be my first suggestion. It's a world above the w123 in terms of creature comforts and ride quality. It is also much easier to find a nice rust free example.

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2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

when it comes to newer diesels.I look for at least a cast iron block.I perfer a inline engine too. Mercedes is switching back at least to cast iron.

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran

I loved my 92 w124. My 96 w210 is a serviceable daily. I really regret not reaching for an impeccable 2006 cdi. You can't go wrong with an old w126 either. Have never driven a 123 but still see a few on the road.

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory

We have a 123 and a 126, both of which are great for different reasons. The SDL, while a bigger car, I find to be peppier and has more throttle response than the 123. The 603 engine's original #14 head had issues which other owners can clarify and provide better context than I, but if well cared for, will last just as long, if not longer than the 617.

You really can't go wrong with either, but my best suggestion is do as much research as you can before you fork over the dough for one. YouTube has some really great videos on there about what to expect for maintenance if you're a first time buyer/owner

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Never be ashamed to ask for help.

1985 300D
1987 300SDL
1970 Jaguar E-Type OTS
2002 Dodge Intrepid (Traded In)
2011 Ford Crown Victoria

I don't know that I would ever go back to daily driving a w123\first gen w126. I decided that I wanted something with airbags which means 2nd gen w126 or w124 or later. With the way that CDI prices are in the US (they are still waaaayyyyy more up here in Canada) I would seriously be looking at one of those. My next choice would probably be a 98 or 99 w210 followed by the w124 2.5turbo as it doesn't have any of teh head issues that the 3.0 had.

__________________
2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

Year 2000 above is too much $$$
The 92 to 95 is non turbo
The w123 ac is not efficient and I live in Vegas
The m606 is too risky and I am not a good DIY person
I can manage changing brakes and axles, shocks but not timing belt and valve adjustments
On the 96 to 99 which year to get? 97 and above has 5 speed auto
Is it better overall

Not true, the 300D 2.5 Turbo that was available in that era was a turbo engine.

Everything newer than 1985 has no valve adjustments (hydraulic lifters are self adjusting) and all Mercedes diesels use timing chains that last a good long time.

96-97 is non-turbo om606
98-99 is a turbo om606
and since you said you didn't want a 606 that pretty much rules those out for you.

Given what you've said I think the 2.5 turbo (OM602) would be the best car for you. No head issues like the 603, and no glow plug issues like the 606. The only thing that is a known fault on these is the vacuum pump, which MUST be replaced if it is the original (approx. $300 in parts) as they had a design flaw that could cause the timing chain to snap. Other than that they are bullet proof.

However, with all that being said.... If you are not a DIY kind of person, I would strongly caution you getting into older diesel Mercedes.

__________________
2004 F150 4.6L -My Daily
2007 Volvo XC70 -Wife's Daily
1998 Ford F150 -Rear ended
1989 J-spec 420SEL -passed onto its new keeper
1982 BMW 733i -fixed and traded for the 420SEL
2003 Volvo V70 5 Speed -scrapped
1997 E290 Turbo Diesel Wagon -traded for above
1992 BMW 525i -traded in
1990 Silver 300TE -hated the M103
1985 Grey 380SE Diesel Conversion, 2.47 rear end, ABS -Sold, really should have kept this one
1979 Silver 300D "The Silver Slug" -Sold

Very well said. I have told people that if they didn't like to tinker with a car, old MB diesels would probably not be a good choice.

W.

Your concerns on the OM606 engine are unfounded. These are in the 95-99 E300. 95 was the last year of the 124 chassis. The 96 to 99 are the 210 chassis. This is the last and best IDI engine MB made.

The engine to worry about was the OM603 for 2 different reasons.

The OM603.960, used in the late 80s 300D/TD/SD, have a weak head "#14" that if overheated is pretty much guaranteed to crack.

The OM603.971, used in the early 90s 350SD/S350, suffers from bent rods. However the #22 head is good.

I have a 98 E300D and it has been a solid vehicle. These can be had for the $5-7k range well maintained. I have 228k miles and counting and the only significant issue I have had in the 2-1/2 years and 35k miles has been a front wheel bearing.

Do your homework and research them carefully. I personally recommend either a later series 124 (90+) or the turbo 98-99 210s.

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The OM 642/722.9 powered family
Still going strong
2014 ML350 Bluetec (wife's DD)
2013 E350 Bluetec (my DD)

both my kids cars went to junkyard in 2023
2008 ML320 CDI (Older son’s DD) fatal transmission failure, water soaked/fried rear SAM, numerous other issues, just too far gone to save (165k miles)
2008 E320 Bluetec (Younger son's DD) injector failed open and diluted oil with diesel, spun main bearings (240k miles)

1998 E300DT sold to TimFreeh
1987 300TD sold to vstech

I would personally recommend the 85 SD. Find a good one with no rust and with the problematic cruise control working, new tires, ready to drive. Then you can tinker with it as needed but still start with a good solid car to drive.
Oh, I just happen to have one for sale... can I interest you??

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1985 300SD
1998 Jetta TDI
Previous: lots of diesel VW's, MB's, KW's, Pete, Freightliner


Walking isn't a lost art: one must, by some means, get to the garage.

You win.

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so, from your criteria...
NO 606, so, 95-99 are out...
year 2000 and up, are out,
it's gotta be diesel, and turbo... so, pre 82 123 sedans are out... *81 wagons and some coupes had turbo
the 190 series is very nice, and the manual non turbo is still very driveable in modern traffic. not a speed demon, but well capable of merging and highway speeds.
the turbo 190 with automatic trans (the only way it was sold) is a speed demon, but difficult to find (I have two... I'm lucky that way) very affordable, and fuel miserly. easy to get 30mpg in them.
the 87 124's in either sedan or wagon variant in PRIME condition are excellent vehicles, the a/c is capable of operating in most climates well... not sure about nevada though... 102 around here with massive humidity is REALLY pushing the abilities of ac... nevada's 115, but dry climate may be equal to the task... not sure.
there is a LOT to tinker with on all of the cars. the 123's mechanically need attention, and the a/c is incapable of comfort above 90F... without serious modifications.
the 124's have a lot of rubber suspension parts that will need replacement with costly parts... DO NOT TRY TO BUY CHEAP PARTS FOR THIS CAR!!! you've been warned.
the 124's have wiring and vacuum issues that will need attention
that said, the 124's are incredible vehicles in prime shape. rail like handling, massive torque, and still decent MPG's.
the 87 has the biggest engine in the 124, but the 90-93 5 cylinder is arguably more reliable, and it's better mpg, but a slower vehicle.
of the 126's, both the 85 and the 87 are great choices... 85 for durability, 87 for smooth roomy ride.

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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!