Hello,

I do not own a Mercedes-Benz, but I am currently looking to buy a used one. I am really interested in getting a diesel for their longevity and the ability to run on vegetable oil. My question is, are regular diesel engines longer lasting and less prone to problems than a diesel that has turbo? If so how long would each engine generally last with proper maintenance? Thank You for your help.

Gilbert

I am no expert for sure, but the guy I bought my turbo from pulled some computer records of his customers, and showed me a number of turbo diesels, ( the older 5 cyl.), with well over 300,00 and still going strong, one with over 400,00. His opinion is that if you keep the oil changed, don't starve it for oil,overheat it, and adjust the valves every 15-20k they are just about indestructable. He said he is not sure how long a well maintained one will last as he hasn't seen one wear out yet.
I would asume that a non turbo would be more reliable, for the simple reason there is no turbo to wear out.

When these cars were built (70's & 80's) the average lifespan for a turbo on a big over the road truck was about 100,000 to 150,000 miles, so they were seldom used. Remember these are trucks were doing 100,000+ per year, but auto's durring this time frame were only averaging 12,000 miles a year with nowhere near the EGT problems of big rigs unless cars were driven hard in mountians or towing heavy loads. However with the advent of computer aided machining and synthetic oils, turbo's are generally reaching 500,000 to 1,000,000 miles on the big rigs and same can be expected on auto's.

I have seen VW's with 250,000 miles on the clock and no turbo problems and that includes the variable vane turbo's that are not considered as reliable, which I believe VW quit using in '04 model year. One common thread here with the VW's is synthetic oil and good mfg by the builder.

The two most life preserving things to do for a turbo is use synthetic oil with additative package designed for diesels and reducing back pressure from the exuast system on the turbo which reduces EGT (Exhuast Gas Temp) at the turbo. High EGT has killed more turbo's under load then about anything else. It's watched closely among the hot rodder's and those who tow alot at VW TDI Forum.

That said the lifespan was figured the highest for the non turbo cars back durring this period. I have read and been told the 240D was engineered for the longest lived motor in the MB line, just due to lack of turbo and heavy built bottom end. I hasve heard the non turbo 5 cylinder was also in this range, but others have said no way. I'm not sure if 100,000 miles is a big deal after 300,000 miles is reached.

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

The turbo models get a bit better milage also. I've got an '85 300D (with turbo) I'm thinking of selling in Santa Barbara, you can P.M. me if you are interested in driving one, it's a spare car I'm not doing anything with...

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'84 300SD veg-oil bliss
'83 300SD veg-oil beater

My 300CD Turbodiesel has been used as a commuter car...five miles to work and back each day in traffic. Soot tends to build up in the turbo because it never really gets "blown out"...and the clouds of oily stuff that appear at stoplights don't make the car popular (not MY daily driver).

On the other hand, these are wonderful highway cars.

Turbo's are not a problem for MB's. As long as the oil was changed they seem to hold up fine. Also the turbo engines seem to last as long if not longer than n/a engines because of the built bottem ends and oil cooled pistons. 235k miles on my turbo and no play in it yet.

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1999 SL500
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

Definatley look for a turbo model. You may not be happy with the performance of a non-turbo. Either car will last a long time if well taken care of. A turbo can be rebuilt rather inexpensively. Take your time and look for something with good service records. They can still look good with alot of miles.

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'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

Here's a pro-turbo article I came across some time ago in the MBCA technical library. http://www.mbca.org/pages/tech/MBCA_turbochargers.htm

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Chris

'04 ML500 - 53k, Inspiration Edition, Desert Silver
'11 Audi A4 Avant - Brilliant Black
'87 300SDL sold
'99 C280 Sport sold
'85 190E 2.3 sold

Let me add another angle to this if I may. Having driven a normaly aspirated OM 616 as well as my current turbo OM 616, I find that I tax my turbo engine way less than my older non turbo engine due to the turbo's way better powerband. This way, there is far less stress on the engine which should lead to a longer life as long as the oil temp and engine temp on the turbo is kept at normal. I have already by passed my muffler to reduce back pressure on the turbo and this should take care of the turbo's life. My oil prefference is for Delvac Super or Delo 400 changed at 6500Km interval. This should take care of the wear and tear hopefully.

My 1983 300CD turbo diesel has 484,500 miles on it, orig. engine. I am the second owner. The lady that had it meticulously maintained it at the dealer every 3,000 miles oil change like clockwork. Just keep up with the maintanence and they are usually very good.

the non turbo cars are just way too slow and always in the way especially if you live in high elevation on take offs.

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Current Stable:
1994 S500 v140, 210k miles, white with grey.

Former Mercedes in the Stable:
1983 300CD Turbo diesel 515k mi sold (rumor has it, that it has 750k miles on it now)
1984 300CD Turbo Diesel 150 k mi sold
1982 300D Turbo Diesel 225 sold
1987 300D Turbo Diesel 255k mi sold
1988 300 CE AMG Hammer 15k mi sold
1986 "300E" Amg Hammer 88k mi sold (it was really a 200, not even an E (124.020)
1992 500E 156k mi sold
etc.

Blasphemy, I say blasphemy!!!

Hotrod speed freaks!!! :p

All kidding aside, what is fun with these cars is learning to drive them. I have as much fun driving the 240D automatic as I did my 5sp, turboed '00 New Beetle. It's about planning your launches, I am usually the first car across the intercetion in town and drive faster then most other people. The supension is good enough to get most Anerican car & trucks in trouble on the curvy back roads when they try to be bumper riders or tailgaters.

What's really funny is I drove a 240D with a 4spd and didn't like the way it drove, but I love the way the automatic drives for some reason. This from a guy who has been driving 4 & 5 spds for 30+ years straight until now. Don't get me wrong, durring this time my wife's cars were auto and served us well and in some of the cars no one would have wanted a stick. Our '75 98 Olds comes to mind here, now that was a boat. It would pass everything but a gas station.

I think if I were to buy a new car, it would be a VW TDI NB with a DSG trans. I drove one and it was as much a blast to drive as my 5sp had been.

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'10 Chrysler T&C Stow-N-Go White. Grandpa's ride.

'13 Chrysler 200 Touring Candy Red. Grandma's ride.

Age and cunning will always over come youth and vigor.

I remember when I was test driving a (very nice) non-turbo TD years ago, when I was looking for a MB. The guy who had it ran a well respected repair shop in town. As I was returning to his shop he said "You don't want this car. You only want one with a turbo." Well, he was right of course