Considering a W201 Diesel for my kids - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

koooop · #1 12-14-2017, 08:39 AM

My youngest will start driving soon so the ‘81 240D will go to her. I need a car as reliable as the 240D that can keep up with the speed of Southern California freeway traffic. Will a 190D get the job done?

Thanks

Diseasel300 · #2 12-14-2017, 09:46 AM

If the 240D is getting the job done, the 190D is probably a rocketship in comparison. For added oomph, look for one of the late 80s models with the 2.5L 5 banger.

moon161 · #3 12-14-2017, 10:53 AM

A bit small, if they are tall, or maybe I just adjust the seat high for a good POV. Either way 5-10 and my hair brushes the headliner when it grows out like art garfunkel. I think the slightly less old 201 plastic bits are more brittle than the 123 plastic bits.

ROLLGUY · #4 12-14-2017, 11:33 AM

Years ago I had an '85 190D 5 spd, and it was like a little go-cart (at least that is the way I drove it). It had plenty of power, but then again, it was a manual. I have not experienced a 2.2 Diesel with an automatic, but I imagine it would be an improvement over a 240 with an automatic. Yes the 5 speed 190's are hard to find, but the later 2.5's or even 2.5 turbo's are even more scarce. If you do find one of the above in nice condition, you will pay a premium. I agree that the plastic is not as good of quality in these newer cars, and you will probably find yourself tinkering with the W201 more than you would the W123. I was fortunate to find a nice blue on blue 190D with the 5 spd for two grand about 10 years ago (seemed like a lot of money at the time), and I used it till I traded up to a nice W126. One thing for sure, you are doing the right thing by raising your children to appreciate these fine German crafted automobiles. I was not into these cars when my children started driving, and they have no interest now. My brother's girls, now that is a different story! Aside from my niece's first car being a Chrysler mini van, all her cars since have bee Mercedes-Benz Diesels (5 so far). She is only 28 years old, and has already graduated to an '05 CDI!. Her sister is following in her footsteps and has had two of them, and the first was an '81 300CD (how cool is that!)......Rich

TX76513 · #5 12-14-2017, 11:36 AM

Moving up into the W210 world 98+ is going to give you a lot more car with a bit more in safety features. Your not going to break the bank either.

ROLLGUY · #6 12-14-2017, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

Moving up into the W210 world 98+ is going to give you a lot more car with a bit more in safety features. Your not going to break the bank either.

Agreed, and even the '95 W124 is worth considering. A nice example of '98 or '99 W210 may even be about the same cost as a well kept W201.

koooop · #7 12-14-2017, 01:39 PM

Keeping up with traffic is So Cal is very important, it's common for the entire freeway to be moving a 85MPH+. So being able to cruise at 80MPH is manditory, that will be apparent on a test drive.

Reliability is just as important, I'm willing to pay the price for a low mileage car with professional service records so I'm sure I can find the right car. So far the 240D has been crazy reliable, I want that in the next car. If it's a W201 it will be a manual transmission, any Benz for my girls will be diesel as well. I'm not interested in a W116, W126 or a W140.

With those parameters is there a Diesel Benz that will work for us?

The 240D we currently have is a 4spd manual, slow as hell but tough as nails.

koooop · #8 12-14-2017, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Diseasel300

If the 240D is getting the job done, the 190D is probably a rocketship in comparison. For added oomph, look for one of the late 80s models with the 2.5L 5 banger.

The 240D is a fright pig on the freeway, you have to get behind a Semi and pray while the crazies fly past.

mbolton1990 · #9 12-14-2017, 08:36 PM

My 190D 2.2 5-speed cruises great at 80mph, just takes a bit long to get there!
I do 90% hwy driving so it doesn't bother me, great riding car. Luckily I picked mine up for $600 from a member on here, it's saved me alot of money..(40mpg on d2,35mpg on wvo blend) I would recommend replacing both the clutch master/slave cylinders when you get it if they haven't been changed in awhile.
When either one fail it can make for a potentially dangerous situation for a newer driver. Don't use cheap parts unless you like doing the job a few times.. oh and do the ball-joints also if they're original, mine were!

ROLLGUY · #10 12-14-2017, 09:17 PM

If a manual is the deal breaker, then you can pretty much rule out a W124, W126, W210, W211 etc. Other than a W123 or W201, you won't find a manual variant unless it was made aftermarket (swapped in) or Euro delivered/grey market car.

jay_bob · #11 12-14-2017, 09:18 PM

I second the notion of a W210 for a new driver. It is what I taught my younger son to drive on. He actually learned to drive on a car that was one month older than he.

I bought a 240D for my older son. He wrecked it so we moved up to the 87 300TD. The 240D was terrifying to drive in high speed traffic.

Going to the 98 or 99 210 gets you the following features not available on a 201:
- turbo 6 cylinder, no lack of punch on the freeway
- driver/passenger air bags and front door air bags (98) or all 4 door air bags (99)
- standard ASR (acceleration slip regulation) keeps you from spinning the back wheels in the rain on takeoff
- Optional ESP (electronic stability program) helps control the car in evasive maneuvers, this was their first generation of the safety systems that are in every new MB
- Optional HID headlights (nice and bright at night)
- Nice amount of room, the 201 is seriously cramped inside
- Improved ABS from the 201 (10 year later technology)
- electronic control of the injection pump and transmission (gets rid of all the vacuum junk, you only have 2 vacuum devices, an EGR valve and a turbo waste gate).

The 201 and 210 have the same rear suspension, in fact they share many parts back there (along with the 124).

The 210 engine bay is very easy to work on. There is lots of room on the right side especially if you remove the air cleaner (takes 30 seconds). The manifold has to come off for just about anything on the left side, but it is not very hard to remove.

The basics are very easy to work on (brakes, suspension, etc)

There are known issues with corrosion on the 210, but since you’re in Calfornia that won’t be an issue with a local car.

There is one other consideration in CA, with the smog check. I believe the 97 and older do not need a smog check and the 98-up do. If this is an issue then consider a 97. It will be non turbo, so slower than the 98-up. Ask member tjts1, he lives in southern CA and has a 97 W210 and knows this situation better than I.

I have brought my kids up on MB and now they drive Mom’s hand me down 2008 ML 320 at college. I have owned my 98 E300 for almost 5 years and have put almost 50,000 mostly trouble free miles. I’m up to 248k.

The biggest thing I have had to fix on mine is the air conditioning. The evaporator sprung a leak. This is a notorious problem, it even afflicts the 201 and 124. It requires complete interior disassembly, and half the engine bay, to fix it. I did it myself a year and a half ago and it has seriously cold ac still.

torsionbar · #12 12-14-2017, 09:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX76513

Moving up into the W210 world 98+ is going to give you a lot more car with a bit more in safety features. Your not going to break the bank either.

Yup, and they sold a bajillion w210's here, so replacement parts are cheap and easy to source as compared with the relatively rare (in the US anyways) w201. A new driver will inevitably cause a fender, door, or headlamp to need replacing due to some minor incident as they learn to drive.

Not just modern safety features, the w210 also has modern comfort and convenience features that make it feel far more modern than a w201.

ROLLGUY · #13 12-14-2017, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jay_bob

I second the notion of a W210 for a new driver. It is what I taught my younger son to drive on. He actually learned to drive on a car that was one month older than he.

I bought a 240D for my older son. He wrecked it so we moved up to the 87 300TD. The 240D was terrifying to drive in high speed traffic.

Going to the 98 or 99 210 gets you the following features not available on a 201:
- turbo 6 cylinder, no lack of punch on the freeway
- driver/passenger air bags and front door air bags (98) or all 4 door air bags (99)
- standard ASR (acceleration slip regulation) keeps you from spinning the back wheels in the rain on takeoff
- Optional ESP (electronic stability program) helps control the car in evasive maneuvers, this was their first generation of the safety systems that are in every new MB
- Optional HID headlights (nice and bright at night)
- Nice amount of room, the 201 is seriously cramped inside
- Improved ABS from the 201 (10 year later technology)
- electronic control of the injection pump and transmission (gets rid of all the vacuum junk, you only have 2 vacuum devices, an EGR valve and a turbo waste gate).

The 201 and 210 have the same rear suspension, in fact they share many parts back there (along with the 124).

The 210 engine bay is very easy to work on. There is lots of room on the right side especially if you remove the air cleaner (takes 30 seconds). The manifold has to come off for just about anything on the left side, but it is not very hard to remove.

The basics are very easy to work on (brakes, suspension, etc)

There are known issues with corrosion on the 210, but since you’re in Calfornia that won’t be an issue with a local car.

There is one other consideration in CA, with the smog check. I believe the 97 and older do not need a smog check and the 98-up do. If this is an issue then consider a 97. It will be non turbo, so slower than the 98-up. Ask member tjts1, he lives in southern CA and has a 97 W210 and knows this situation better than I.

I have brought my kids up on MB and now they drive Mom’s hand me down 2008 ML 320 at college. I have owned my 98 E300 for almost 5 years and have put almost 50,000 mostly trouble free miles. I’m up to 248k.

The biggest thing I have had to fix on mine is the air conditioning. The evaporator sprung a leak. This is a notorious problem, it even afflicts the 201 and 124. It requires complete interior disassembly, and half the engine bay, to fix it. I did it myself a year and a half ago and it has seriously cold ac still.

I had a '95 E300 with the N/A (same engine as '96 &7 W210), and it got great MPG (27ish in town, 30+ on the highway). The power was not lacking either. I would say it was about the same as an OM617 turbo in a W123. I also had a '99, and it was a great car. I had very few problems until I off-roaded it from falling asleep. I bought it back from the insurance co, and repaired it and then sold it to my neighbor. That was 4 or 5 years ago, and he is still driving it. They are also getting very affordable. However, if you are dead set on a manual, a W210 is pretty much off the table......Rich

vstech · #14 12-15-2017, 02:27 AM

My 87 2.5L 5 speed is downright fun to drive.
I am 5'11 and have no issue with legroom.
My 6'8 brother cannot get the seat back enough for his huge frame...

I really enjoy the car. Only issue with the car was ac.

97 SL320 · #15 12-15-2017, 08:01 AM

The need a "first car" was addressed in another thread a while back.
Buy a mid 2000's front drive Buick sedan from an estate sale. The cars are cheep, plentiful , easy to fix and "safer" than any 80's design is going to be. Once you get a car, go through and change high failure / end of life parts like belts, hoses, electric fuel pump and such.

You need a car that you can walk into any auto parts store and walk out with whatever you need. The W201 won't fit that bill.

Also, having a diesel adds complications to a new drivers responsibilities. ( starting, fueling, low power. )

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