I love my 350 SDL ... great car, but I would like to get a "backup" diesel - too much time flying airplanes in the Navy to consider a gas engine ... love that smell!

As a believer in statics, it seems to me that some combos of chassis, transmission, and engine must have "the best" numbers ...

What was the best MB diesel car? I have always wanted a '83 240D, but they are getting too hard to find. So, looking at 300SD/SDL (5 and 6 cylinders) ... advice?

George Stephenson

1983 300D Turbo
 

Mine runs like a top! and parts are cheap!

I have the 82 300D Turbo, 123 style and love it. Before this I had the 83 version.. same car for all practical purposes. I didn't care for the SDs in the 126 styles, but love the SDs in the 116. I think the "older" ones are more reliable.. made in the hayday of MBs. I'm sure other members can speak more of motors/xmission/chassis combos than I, but I would opt for the SDs from '79 to 80 or D-Turbos from '82 to 85. By the way.. they all drive differently, so test drive as many as you can. My 82 accelerates faster and changes gears better/smoother than my 83 did. I just drove an 80 SD and it is faster, smoother than mine.. could probably get it for less than $2K and fix the minor things that are wrong, but I don't really NEED another one :)

1985 300D Turbo........

I don't know if there is a stat on most reliable engine/chassis/drivetrain combo?? However, the S body was heavier and you know how much we like heavier vs. slimmer :).
Mine runs and looks great, I love this car and the 85 was the last year of the classic body style.
Soooo, she's the youngest....how bout them apples!

At this point, the OM617.95 engine in the '81-'85 300 SD (W126) and '82-'85 300 D (W123) is, without a doubt, the most reliable MB diesel EVER. The '86-'87 300 SDL (W126) is a close second.

I've been told that the transmission mated to the engine/drivetrain in the 300 SDL is perhaps the best combination MB put together in terms of longevity, smoothness, and performance. My $0.02. :)

Consumers Union called the 78 240D an "almost perfect car" and, having driven one for years, would have to agree. You can find them in good shape here in CA for about 2K$, with a 4 speed tran., and they are easily and cheaply fixed. However, by comparison, the 300 SD or SDL is a limousine.

Well George... I am a Diesel nut...I have had a '79D, '82TD, 87 300SDL, '90 300DT, 91 SDL, and finally a 98 E300D. The best is the latest the 98 E300D. Of course the most expensive but with hundreds of thousands of miles registered in all my diesels, and a multitude of diesel related problems,(ie: seals, vaccuum, glo-plugs, injectors) the 98 is truly the most refined, quietest, fastest, trouble-free diesel of them all. RSL007

I have much respect and admiration for MB diesel engines simply because its built to outlast every other competitor.

I am sure whichever diesel MB one chooses, the choice can be far off the mark provided (again a common thread) its been serviced and looked after, as adverse to neglected.

I have never driven a diesel MB for the simple reason its not as popular over here. I am quite taken by the new W210 270cdi though. Looks very interesting and the technical aspects seems to match the petrol-engines. We've been told the release is due sometime this year and the price is not quoted yet. The only setback is that we Malaysians have to pay more road tax for diesel engines.

Bummer.