I've about given up on the 300D I've got. It runs OK but there's been a problem with the engine that even with the help of fine members of this forum, I still can't nail down the problem.
My next M-B must be reliable and easy to work on and not cost an arm and a leg.
What are your suggestions?

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

A '90 -- '93 300 D 2.5 turbo would be my choice. Excellent combination of fuel mileage, reliability, safety and handsome appearance. This car isn't anything like your old W123.

I was told that 1985 was the last good year for the diesels and the 300D is the most relible MB.

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2010 ML350 Bluetec
2012 Mustang Convertible

Hey Rafi,
how do you like your 400E? Got any pics?

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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

Not for me at least. I guess people sell their cars for a reason. I guess the original owner got tired of flushing money down the toilet. The previous owner got it from the original owner but didn't keep it for very long. He didn't use it that much. He sold it because he was moving out of state or so he said. I think the only good thing left about this car is the body and the seats. It still runs and I should be happy for that. I think that I should unload it while it still runs.

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

I believe that the 240D is marginally more reliable than the 300D due to the less strain put on the engine and the lower level of complexity. I would have bought a 240D, except I was concerned about becoming a pancake in the insane traffic around here.

FWIW, the previous owner of my car sold it 'cause he was upgrading to an '85 126 300SD His primary motivation was wanting the extra space...

vwbuge - I love my 400E, sorry I do not have any pictures, maybe in the summer or when I borrow or buy a digital camera. There are no mods on the outside, it is anthracite grey with grey interior. I am working on a better engine temperature managment with the auxiliary fan (not the simple "cool harness"). It seems the temperature goes up and down too much for my likeing at stop ideling vs moveing.
Two years ago the car developed a rough idle problem that is posted, and finally last year I was able fixed it it was in rough idle for about a year trying different things. But now it runs like the day I bought it in 1996 with 58K mi. When I bought it I did not know much about MB, I did not know the difference between 300E and 400E beyond the engine size, but I am glad my luck turned on to M119 engine. I do not get tired of it, every time I sit in it it like a new experience. It now has 172K mi, this summer I must have the chain inspected and replaced, I am saving some money for this major operation, it is beyond my capacity. Ok enough of rambling on.

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2010 ML350 Bluetec
2012 Mustang Convertible

240D 4spd stick? I drove one and it looked like a simple
car with a small engine in a large engine bay.

Easy to work on and reliable does not describe most MB's.

91 190e 2.6 New muffler and radiator this spring.

Dave

I would say it's a W124. They are such a bargain now!

Consider an early 300E or the later 320E / E320 cars. Those are nicely priced these days.

The diesels are harder to find. I drove a 300D 2.5 Turbo and that was such a fine W124 too! It really didnt feel like a diesel at all. Off the line from zero it was kinda sluggish but once it moved it was fine!

I guess it's age but my E420 has been soo trouble free compared to the W123 300CD that I had. It is nowhere near as classy/charming as the 123 Coupe though...

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2008 BMW 335i Coupe

Holson ..

Just in case you're missing your coupe ..

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2468353683&category=6330&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

Triffin ..

OMG! What a beautiful car!

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DJ


84 300D Turbodiesel 190K with 4 speed manual sold in 03/2012

Yesterday I asked the owner of an old Mercedes to tell me about his car--I thought it was a junker by its looks.

Its a 1959 (I think that's right) 190. I looked for a picture on the Internet and found one of a car called a Ponton? By the look of it, its the 4 cyl but I'm not certain. What does that word, 'Ponton', mean exactly?

Anyway, the owner says its a 4 speed tranny on the column. He and his drinking buddy drive it out on the rice farm and bayou roads on Sundays. They do that so they can drive real slow while they drink. Narwhal has probably dodged them down in Gueydan.

The body appears to be in great shape, I didn't see any dents. But there is practically no paint left so rust is just around the corner.

What's it worth? $500? Should I risk death at the hands of wife?

Botnst

Buy it! Buy it, buy it! But it! If I were in your place, I'll buy the seller a dozen six packs as well.

Breath, Ian, BREATH.

If it runs, what is it worth?

How much money should I spend on it? $200 paint job or $2,000 paint job? Restore the the interior or redecorate JC Whitney style?

I know there's the vintage thread and if I take pix, I'll go over there. But in Open Forum you guys are less likely to be as sentimental as committed old-benz-o-philes.

B

...ask yourself what YOU want the car for. I've had a lifelong obsession with the Pontons, so I'm not exactly an objective source of support. Is it a diesel or petrol version? I'm only interested in the former, but you may find the latter to be more to your liking. Back in the '80's, the world's record holder for the car with the most accumulated mileage was a 180 d from my hometown of Olympia. The car had over a million miles on it--800k on its original diesel engine.

Ponton = German for pontoon. Refers to the shape of the body.

Buyer beware--if you take the plunge, you may never emerge again.

http://www.mbzponton.org/