Greets!

I'm looking to get back into a diesel due to my long commute. I'm currently driving a 1991 LS400, but she's not long for this world, due to electrical issues, and I the mileage isn't great. My other vehicle is a 4x4 powerstroke, so I try not to drive it to work too often.

I had a 1987 300TD, which I loved, that ate up miles till it succumbed to a cracked head, which there was no economical replacement.

My question is, what years should I avoid for a Mercedes diesel thats going to get a cap ton of miles put on it. I'm leary of the 80's becuase of vacuum and A/C issues, and early 90's because of wiring. Are the later 90's car goimg to be money pits? What should I look out for?

Thanks in advance for any guidance you can give!

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1997 E300 Diesel - 222K miles

Old cars need work. Do you wrench?

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85SD 240K & stopped counting painted, putting bac together. 84SD 180,000. sold to a neighbor and member here but I forget his handle. The 84 is much improved from when I had it. 85TD beginning to repair to DD status. Lots of stuff to do.

The 97 -99 E class D and DT are real straightforward to work on and most parts are very inexpensive even new. Its also a good model to facelift and you can add in most of the technology on the cheap. The E's are simple to change out the radio to a 2DIN setup with touchscreen, NAV, etc. This in comparison to my late 90's W140 where a wiper blades are still $150.

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BENZ THERE DONE THAThttp://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/...c/progress.gif
15 VW Passat TDI
00 E420
98 E300 DT
97 E420 Donor Car - NEED PARTS? PM ME!
97 S500
97 E300D
86 Holden Jackaroo Turbo D
86 300SDL
(o\|/o)

I should have specified, I do wrench. I'm slapping a motor in a 2001 Escape this week. I don't mind the time, because I know mine's not worth much, but I don't want to get into a car that maybe has historically bad transmissions, or eats ABS modules, or requires some silly expensive a/c compressor.

All that said, I don't want a boring FWD car either.

Thanks again.

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1997 E300 Diesel - 222K miles

I like the w210 diesels so much I own 3 and sold 1. They're extremely reliable and my DDs.

Let's see the "big ticket" items I've replaced on them:
My '98 e300 with 260k an ABS module (leaked)
My '99 e300 with 195k an ABS module (leaked), alternator
My '99 e300 with 430k I bought for under a grand and according to records it never had any major issues. Considering the high mileage it has had a trans at 320k, valve job & timing chain shortly after the trans & turbo rebuild at 340k

I can't say anything but good things about om606 & w210 chassis.. the electronics are reliable, ac is good (they do have evap leaks just like w124s however) but other than that they're great.. and they ride nicer than a w212 e350 coupe i drove not too long ago

i'd recommend one.. you can find them for $5k and under in really great shape

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

I recommend the 300SDLs. Not too old but not new where you need a scan tool to fix it.
Really nice car.

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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

I'm going to throw my vote in for a w210 turbo diesel too. That is what I'm currently using for my DD nowadays.

It is at ~180k miles and I guess the costliest item to date has been replacement of the a/c compressor.

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Jim

so...


why did you get rid of the awesome 87TD with simply a cracked head?

My babies all cried when I read you got rid of your TD because the head failed...

assuming here...

are you talking about a wagon (TD) or a SEDAN... D turbodiesel???

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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!

I didn't pay much for it, it wasn't a well loved car. I think the over $2k cost of the new head was more than I had spent on it.

I don't really have a preference on chassis. I'm thinking I want to buy something newer this time.

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1997 E300 Diesel - 222K miles

You don't have to buy new heads. The #14 isn't a bad head, people just overheat it and complain cause it's cracked. Don't overheat it. It's aluminum.

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Only diesels in this driveway.
2005 E320 CDI 243k Black/Black
2008 Chevy 3500HD Duramax 340k
2004 Chevy 2500HD Duramax 220k

an 05/06 E320 CDI is a good car. Most that have one love it.

X2! I have also had a W210 ('99 E300), and they are great as well.

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All Diesel Fleet
1985 R107 300SLD TURBODIESEL
2005 E320 CDI (daily)

LOTS of parts for sale!


EGR block kit
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/355250-sale-egr-delete-block-off-plate-kit.html

1985 CA emissions 617 owners- You Need This!
Sanden style A/C Compressor Mounting Kit for your 616/ 617 For Sale + Install Inst.

Sanden Instalation Guide (post 11):
http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/367883-sanden-retrofit-installation-guide.html

....I mean X3!

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-- Chris

'95 E300, 216k miles, Silver Surfer
'05 E320 CDI, 138k miles
'07 S550 4matic, 69k miles

Gone but not forgotten:

'76 300D, 350k miles?, SOLD in 1995
'75 240D, 300k miles, SOLD in 1991