Newbie and diesel questions
 

I am a complete newbie to the world of diesels and I have got lots of questions. Let me see if I can distill this to something meaningful.

First some history: I am currently driving a 1994 Saturn SW2 with 104,000 miles. I bought it new and it's been a great car. It's getting a bit long in the tooth (or at least I believed so until I started looking at this forum), so I'm considering replacing it. I've been looking at new VW TDI 's - either a Golf or a Jetta wagon. I owned a diesel Rabbit pickup in the early eighties and hated it, but the new TDI's seem downright civilized compared to the Rabbit. I like the idea of a diesel, I like the fuel mileage and I like the idea of running biodiesel (there's a B20 pump within 20 miles of my house). However, I live in the Chicago suburbs, have a 5 mile commute each way and put about 12,000 miles on a car each year - not exactly high mileage diesel material.

A new VW will run $18,000 to $22,000 and they are quite small. Works for me, but my 6 year old could use a bit more room. Someone at the TDIclub forum suggested that I look into a used Mercedes diesel. Needless to say, I am fascinated but overwhelmed. So, here's some questions. I'm sure the answers will all be subjective base upon the individual (i.e., me), but I'm going to ask anyway.

1. Should a newbie in my situation even consider a Mercedes diesel? I'm somewhat mechanically minded, but do not like to work on cars (motorcycles, yes - cars, no). I am assuming that I need a good mechanic and that the dealerships are probably not the best place to find one.
2. If so, which models? I keep on seeing ads (on this forum and elsewhere) for diesels from the early to mid eighties with about 200,000 miles on them. I would hesitate to buy something with so many mile, but maybe I'm mistaken...
3. As far as I can tell, ABS is quite available on '85 and later models. When were dual air bag introduced? A car without airbags could be a hard sell to my wife.
4. Should I consider the same budget range as the VW?
5. How available are wagons? I just love wagons - my dad always had one when I was a kid.

Thanks.

1. Diesels take longer to get oil to operating temp. 5 miles might not do it. On the plus side it's very easy to replace the oil and filter in MBs from the top.

3. ABS was standard equipment in all models from 1986. Possibly from 1985 and maybe optional in 1984.

4. MB airbags are supposedly good for 15 years then MB says to replace them. Driver airbags were standard equipment in all MB models from 1986. Some models might have had airbags as standard or optional earlier. Not sure about the when and on what models for passenger side airbags.

5. MB offered the following turbodiesel wagons in the US - 81-85 300TD (round headlights, 5cyl)), 87 300TD (rectangular headlights, 6cyl).

General comment - 80s MB Diesels are good for 28mpg tops. 90s MB Diesels get into the 30s (as do some 80s 240Ds).

If you like how VWs perform, try a 96-97 Passat TDI. Only available in MT but it's the nicest (only?) 40mpg Diesel available in the US for under $10,000.

Sixto
95 S420
91 300SE
87 300SDL
83 300SD

You could wat untill ?2005? when Smart USA brings the Smart City-Coupé with the CDI to America. I've heard it's not too hard to import them now. It is three cylinder and gets 60-70 MPG. Beat that Honda, toyota, and VW.

passenger air bag
 

earliest MB with a passenger air bag ive seen was a 1991 s-class diesel (a 350 SD). im pretty sure it was standard, but not available on the e-class in '91 (300D). so to get a passenger air bag youd have to get a later model SD or SDL. no sure how early they had them available.

Ok, I'll say it. We're a bunch of Diesel lovers here, but it doesn't sound like the right car for you. You don't drive enough miles.

I am farely new to diesels myself, but i have to agrre with what sixto said in his #1 reply. if you drive only five miles to work every day, your oil may not reach operating temp. I know mine does not when i make a quick run to the store .If i am not mistaken this is bad on your engine components.
lc

For the amount of money you plan to spend and the length of your commute, I'd consider the new Toyota Prius hybrid -- it gets superior in-town economy, is roomier than ever and looks good.

Thanks for all the input. I've wondered if a diesel is the right way to go or not since my typical daily drive is so short. The new Prius is on my list to investigate. I have not looked at one yet, but I will. No sunroof available though :(

I'd recommend an '80-'85 240D...
 

Even though you have a short daily commute (about like mine). These cars are cheap now, but extremely durable if they've received regular oil changes. Even though they don't have airbags, the construction of these cars is EXTREMELY protective of occupants in any kind of collision...as past posts on this forum will attest. One downside...in Chicago winters, I think you'd need a block heater for dependable cold weather starting.

Maybe you could meet up with someone from the Chicago area who has one of these cars, buy him or her a cup of coffee, and try a test drive?

18k to 22k that will get you into a nice w210 diesel made from 1996 to 1999. Do a search on them, a few members her have them. If you only drive 5 miles to work each day just take it for a nice ride on the weekends. I think that should clean it out.