I'm considering the purchase of either a Mercedes or Vdub diesel to run back and forth from Dallas to Austin in. I know theres a huge difference in room between the two cars but I'm afraid of parts or repair costs for an MB. I usually turn my own wrenches where I can. Anyway, are there years to stay away from or gravatate to in the MB line? Will only be travelling by myself with no real luggage. Thanks in advance for your comments.

You didn't mention what kind of price range you're looking at?

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Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)

I think I read on this forum that the '81 300D was
a good year.
Get a Mercedes!!

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1979 300D 220 K miles
1995 C280 109 K miles
1992 Cadillac Eldorado Touring Coupe 57K miles SOLD
********************
1979 240D 140Kmiles (bought for parents) *SOLD.
SAN FRANCISCO/(*San Diego)
1989 300SE 148 K miles *SOLD

I would say it depends on what you are looking for. Something that is fun to drive, is small, and gets great mileage, at a reasonable price. Or, something that is larger, gets lower miles per gallon and less zippy. Depends also if you buy new or used.

I like my VW TDI because it is zippy, gets 50+ MPG if I stay under 80 MPH, and is easy to drive. I think I like my Mercedes, due to the room and comfort. I think the MB will be a little more costly to keep up, since the one I have has a number of miles on it, while the VW has fewer miles on it so far.

You have to look too at the cost to insure the beasts too. Also look at what you think the prices of fuel will be in 7-10 years, if you plan on keeping the car that long. What was fuel 10 years ago.. about 1/2 what it is now? So, double what it is now would not be unreasonable in 8-10 years...

Guess this doesn't help much, but maybe it will give you some things to think about..

Drive ON!

[Edited by Vhunter on 05-06-2001 at 03:56 AM]

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1985 300D - 190K Miles - 26 MPG on first trip home - getting rust fixed and repainted.
1987 MB 300 SDL - 238K miles - Sold
2003 DC Ram 2500 QuadCab 6 speed, 4x4 Cummins - 82K miles - 20+ MPG
1999 VW A4 Jetta TDI 5 speed - 83K miles - 50+ MPG is easy!

Drives nice, easy to work on, and the parts are cheap!

__________________
2000 Ford 7.3 Powerstroke 4x4
2006 Mazda Tribute
1983 Black 300 D (donated to charity)
1993 Teal 300 D (160K) Sold
"I love the smell of burnt diesel fuel in the morning, it smells like ....VICTORY"

Semper Fidelis
USMC 1973-1976

I make the trip you are talking about alot! I think comfort and quiet should be an important factor.

You may want to look at a 300SD. They deliver about the same economy as a 300D, but with a much smoother and quieter ride.

You should be able to find one between $4-$6K and there are many new and used parts out there that are reasonable. Maintainance shouldn't run more than $500.00 per year unless something major breaks. Since you are a DIY'r, these cars are pretty easy to work on and this forum is an amazing source of information.

As far as a newer VW, they are great, but they will depreciate considerably more than a mid '80's 300D or SD. I drove an '84 300SD for a year and sold it for what I paid for it. That's pretty cheap driving.

As far as what to look for, my big three are tranny, A/C and paint, because they are very expensive to replace. I say don't let mileage scare you. Pay attention to what has been replaced and when. I have owned two Benzes that had over 200K on them and had far less problems than one I bought with 120K on it. My theory is, betwwen 125K and 175K, alot of things need replacing. Buying one with 175K plus, that has had major components replaced should be good to go another 100K, and you can buy them cheaper.

The really important thing is, don't buy a diesel without having a compression test run on it. That will tell you what condition the engine is in and how it's been cared for.



[Edited by Mr. BILL on 05-06-2001 at 12:38 PM]

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Mr. BILL

91 300E 120K
90 300SE 275K (sold)
92 BMW 525iM 120K
90 BMW 525iA 175K
85 300D 175K (sold)
84 300SD 245K (sold)

Well, if you don't care about speed, a 240D, say from '78 to '83 would be the best bet---WITH manual transmission. Watch out for higher mileage cars (this goes for all diesels) because of lack of compression on some, causing them to start hard or not start at all in cold weather.

An '82-'85 300D Turbo is also a nice car. Numerous (therefore plenty of parts around in scrapyards) and quite economical to maintain. Very very reliable as well, and fuel mileage is around 30+ on the freeway.

The same goes for the 300TD (wagon) and 300CD (coupe). Both may be more expensive initially than the sedan but they're great in their own ways. The wagon for it's load hauling ability and the coupe for it's understated 2 door elegance.

A 300SD (W116 chassis from '78-'80) or (126 chassis from '81-'85) are also great cars. The W116 body has a more classic look to it than the 126 which is more squared off, and I think the 116 rides better and handles better. The 126 was more of a Cadillac-riding car.

Later diesels ('86 and onward) are also nice. Quiet and powerful when compared to their older siblings, but also not nearly as reliable.

So my vote lands with a 240D manual or a 300D Turbo ('82-'85). Find a good one with 150K miles or less and keep it maintained well (frequent oil changes and valve adjustments) and it will continue to serve you well into the future.

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Regards,
Aaron

1982-1985 300TURBOdiesel are known to be reliable and swift for a diesel.

I love my 1991 300D! I average 27 mpg, the car drives like a dream, and it turns heads everywhere I go (although I live in Colorado, where SUVs are the norm, not Mercedes). I must say, however, that parts for this car are not exactly cheap. Everything considered, I can't think of a better car for me to own at this time.

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Ben

The MBs:
1976 300D (W115) - 330K and still going (sort of)
1991 300D 2.5 Turbo - Sold at 221K
1983 280SEL - Sold at 206K
1981 300SD - Sold at 232K

If you're gonna get one of the older MB diesels, go for the turbo. I would recommend either the 300SD or 300D. If you go for a 300D I would suggest the couple of years (1984-85). They are easy to maintain and go on and on. You could easily get over 300,000 miles and more. Change the oil often and change it hot (did I get it right, Larry?)

Good luck,
Frank

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Frank
84 500SEL EURO 101K ( JUST LIKE MY 1ST WIFE. GLAD TO GET RID OF HER! )
85 300D 310K (sold)
90 350SDL 184K sold
83 300D 118K (sold)
88 300E 153k (sold)
93 400E 105K (sold)

my vote goes for the 1990-93 300D 2.5 turbo....very reliable,fast and has most of the modern safety features....airbags,abs...etc


good luck

Warren
1992 300SD 115K
Columbus Ohio

What about the 1998-99 E300 Turbodeisel. They have a 3.0 liter 24 vale 6 with 174 hp and can launch 0-60 in 8.5 sec. This is not your grandfather's deisel!

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85 300CD Signal Red/Tan sold
83 300D Manganese Brown 109K
97 E420 Midnight Blue 197K sold
98 BMW 328i Vert White 100K, sold
95 BMW 525i White 125K, sold
93 BMW 525iT Red 193K, sold
95 E320 Green Wagon 125K, sold
94 E320 White 127K, sold
85 300SD 156K Grey (Annie), sold
84 300D Lapis Blue 170K (Judy), sold
99 ML 320 Black (lease), 1998 C230 White (lease)
00 Honda S2000 Red (lease)
86 Mercedes 300E (sold)
84 Porsche 911 Red (sold), 1965 Porsche 911 White (sold)

I agree with that opinion....one of my old friends just bought a 1998 E300 Turbodiesel and he says its almost as fast as as E320 and still gets 30mpg....but again that car is a lot more money...btu probably the ultimate diesel that MB imported to the United States...


Warren
1992 300SD 115K
Columbus Ohio

I've enjoyed my 87 300SDL.

270,000 miles (original engine & trans)

gross weight of nearly 5,000lbs and 30 mpg city, 34 mpg highway.

runs and drives like new.

end of story

But I due wish there was a way to get a S400CDI into the states.