Took my recently-acquired '78 euro 300D (manual-everything stick shift) on a trip from KY through Chicago to Grand Rapids, then through Ohio and back to juggle some parts around with several friends. The car gave me zero trouble (aside from needing some heat and several jumps when it got to -1F one night), got 23.5MPG round-trip through single-digit temps and hauling at least a ton of cargo, and I had a blast seeing some new country from behind the star. Heck of a machine.

Downtown Chicago
Middle of Nowhere, Indiana
Final load in Marietta, OH

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'82 300CD
"Pearl", the very first turbo diesel 123 coupe
Totaled 11/23/18, rebuild in progress.
'85 300TD, "Artemis".
'78 300D euro, "Ol' Red", mostly retired.
'85 300D, "Gandalf".

Nice! How was your visit to GR?

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-diesel is not just a fuel, its a way of life-
'15 GLK250 Bluetec 118k - mine - (OC-123,800)
'17 Metris(VITO!) - 37k - wifes (OC-41k)
'09 Sprinter 3500 Winnebago View - 62k (OC - 67k)
'13 ML350 Bluetec - 95k - dad's (OC-98k)
'01 SL500 - 103k(km) - dad's (OC-110,000km)
'16 E400 4matic Sedan - 148k - Brothers (OC-155k)

Very nice! I'd been once before but got to spend about 36 hours there this time and see a little more of the town.

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'82 300CD
"Pearl", the very first turbo diesel 123 coupe
Totaled 11/23/18, rebuild in progress.
'85 300TD, "Artemis".
'78 300D euro, "Ol' Red", mostly retired.
'85 300D, "Gandalf".

nothing like a 617. for long runs,did 1200 miles in 23 hours,2400 miles 5 days,returned on 5th.w126 diesel avg. mpg 30

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1999 w140, quit voting to old, and to old to fight, a god damned veteran,you are a citizen of the world, all peoples are
cousin's, love all life, your love is enternal

Glad your daring late January trip into upper midwest in a 40+ year old delivery vehicle went well.
Except you cannot sell it here with the caveat, never seen snow.

Great vehicles for long journeys, I'd go INSANE driving a new Ford fusion that long.

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1998 Ford Escort ZX2 5 speed - 279,000 miles My Daily

1992 Mercedes 300D 2.5 202,000 - Pure junk
2000 Mercedes E320 Black - 136,000 miles - Needs repair

Don't forget to grease the screw and threads on the spring compressor.

Cool!......

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.