Parts Catalog Accessories Catalog How To Articles Tech Forums
Call Pelican Parts at 888-280-7799
Shopping Cart Cart | Project List | Order Status | Help



Go Back   PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum > Mercedes-Benz Tech Information and Support > Diesel Discussion

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-11-2004, 04:41 PM
TTaM's Avatar
***********
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 776
Diesels to avoid?

I have been half-heartedly shopping around looking at the current Mercedes diesel market. I have noticed the W140 diesels seem to be rather affordable. Are these cars to avoid? I see that they have the 3.5L engine, is this the engine to avoid? When I graduate from college in May, I will looking for a diesel. I really like the W124 diesels. What of the newer diesels are the good ones, and what are the ones to avoid?

Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-11-2004, 04:47 PM
VeeDubTDI
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Avoid a Mercedes 350 if it is the original engine. If it has already been replaced, then there is nothing to worry about.

Other diesels to avoid: Cadillac and Chevrolet "350" diesels. (couldn't resist :p)
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-11-2004, 04:51 PM
TTaM's Avatar
***********
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 776
Quote:
Originally posted by VeeDubTDI
Avoid a Mercedes 350 if it is the original engine. If it has already been replaced, then there is nothing to worry about.

Other diesels to avoid: Cadillac and Chevrolet "350" diesels. (couldn't resist :p)
I plan on getting a Mercedes, unless I get an incredible deal on another make. I don't consider having to pay for any GM product a deal... :p
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-11-2004, 04:51 PM
Rick Miley's Avatar
Spark Free
 
Join Date: Jun 1999
Location: Land O Lakes, FL
Posts: 3,086
We've done this before. Here are some threads to get you started.

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=84822

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=80276

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=66474

http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/showthread.php?threadid=56983
__________________
Rick Miley
2014 Tesla Model S
2018 Tesla Model 3
2017 Nissan LEAF
Former MB: 99 E300, 86 190E 2.3, 87 300E, 80 240D, 82 204D Euro
Chain Elongation References
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-11-2004, 04:52 PM
TTaM's Avatar
***********
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 776
I know there had been, but no one seemed to be real clear on 3.5L diesels, or the rest of the '90's

Last edited by TTaM; 03-11-2004 at 05:30 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-11-2004, 04:55 PM
Gilly's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Evansville WI
Posts: 9,616
Quote:
Other diesels to avoid: Cadillac and Chevrolet "350" diesels. (couldn't resist )
Actually those were consider "Olds 350 Diesels". I was in Diesel school when those were out (80 to 82), they were actually doing some training on them! (Talk about time well spent, huh?). Roosa Master injection pumps!
But, ya know, as long as you get one that doesn't have the original engine they're pretty good :p

Gilly
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-11-2004, 05:02 PM
vwbuge's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Sep 2001
Location: Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,116
I know you said you liked the w140 but look at this. If I were looking for the wife this would be it. As far as rock solid reliablity you can't beat these cars.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6330&item=2466422028
__________________
'85 300SD (formerly california emissions)
'08 Chevy Tahoe
'93 Ducati 900 SS
'79 Kawasaki KZ 650
'86 Kawasaki KX 250
'88 Kawasaki KDX200
'71 Hodaka Ace 100
'72 Triumph T100R
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-11-2004, 05:08 PM
Gilly's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Evansville WI
Posts: 9,616
Yeah, that'd be a good one to have. One owner, kinda high mileage, wonder what it'll go for though, 6 days+ left on the auction. It'd be neat to get that one and try to spiff it up so it looks like a 91 (newer composite headlights, newer style 16 hole rims, etc). I like the 126's with the 617 turbos in it, pretty durable setup. Maybe it'll stay low priced because of the frontend work it needs. The real big PIA job on these is if the front swaybar breaks.

Gilly
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-11-2004, 05:13 PM
TTaM's Avatar
***********
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 776
I haven't thrown out the idea of a W126 diesel, but I really like the looks of the W140. Idealy, I'd like to get a W124 diesel. My family has a W115 that we love, but I'd like a car with a bit more everyday usability, and modern conviences.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-11-2004, 05:19 PM
TTaM's Avatar
***********
 
Join Date: Sep 2002
Location: Minneapolis, MN
Posts: 776
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2465207669&category=6336&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Is something like this a gamble? Obviously I won't be buying this exact model, but from what I have gathered from previous posts, the higher the miles on the car, the more likely the problems have been addressed. Is it good advice to simply avoid all 3.5 diesels?
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 03-11-2004, 06:08 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
After looking at my friends W140 I could safely say I would not want to one any W140 without a good job, and healthy income. This is a very complicated car that would not be all that fun to work on. But if you find a 350 with updated rods; yes they seem to be very strong.
__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 03-11-2004, 08:08 PM
lietuviai's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SW WA
Posts: 5,744
Diesel to avoid?

Yeah, mine. Too many problems and I'm getting tired of it. Avoid it unless you have a good bank account and lots of patience to work on it.
__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 03-12-2004, 02:06 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
lietuviai how much money do you have into it? If you don't mind me asking. These are old cars and need some work to keep them going. I have $1078.23 in mine + the $2945 purchase price. Plan on putting another $4k into it over the next two years to perfect it. $7950 to drive a near perfect SDL is ok by me.
__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 03-12-2004, 06:09 PM
lietuviai's Avatar
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: SW WA
Posts: 5,744
Hatterasguy, I don't mind saying. I paid the same for my car as you did and have almost the same amount of money into it. If I would have thought that I would have to put in a lot more money to keep it going I would not have even considered such a car. I only bought the car on the idea that they were supposed to be good cars and fairly economical, I didn't really do much more research on them. When I found the car, I took it for a good ride, it drove and ran good and that was enough for me. The previous owner had almost all of the service records for the car and it had an excellent service history albeit an expensive one, almost $18K in expenses over 19 years. I thought that since it looked like all the major things were fixed that I would have a fairly trouble free ownership until I was at least done with school. I guess not. I've got three months to go and I'm not sure if I will be able to make it. I'm going to give it one more try this weekend.
I just realized, you have a SDL, right? Mine is only an '85 300D. I don't think we can exactly compare our two cars. I may have had a bit more patience if I had only paid $2500 an SDL.
__________________
DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 03-12-2004, 09:19 PM
Hatterasguy's Avatar
Zero
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Milford, CT
Posts: 19,318
Yeah they are kind of hard to compare, price wise. But at least you have driven yours, I have had mine since Jan. and have only driven it home; about 8 miles. But it is not my only car, the Toyota will be my everyday ride until the MB is ready. I did some reading of your posts and it sounds to me, like this just might not be the right car for you. You sound like you want a GM or a newer gas MB. I'm not much of a GM fan but one of my friends is, and I guess they have there good points. What about the 1999 suv in your sig? That sounds like more of what you should be driveing.

__________________
1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is On
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:33 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.7
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.0
Copyright 2024 Pelican Parts, LLC - Posts may be archived for display on the Peach Parts or Pelican Parts Website -    DMCA Registered Agent Contact Page