Well everyone, time to break my silence, after a long term of school things are finally slowing down. I brought up the idea of selling my 87 300D to my mechanic. Today, he took it for a drive and said "when do you want me to pay you?"

I find it suprising that he reacted so fast that I don't even have a car to replace it with yet. I found a 87 190D 2.5 in the recycler for $800.

Here's the ad,
"1987 MERCEDES-BENZ 190D Silver color, needs work, transmission is failing, needs an a/c compressor and new suspension. Gray color interior, Upholstery ok, over 300K miles. It was in an accident on driver side but had the door fixed the best possible way. No radio or speakers. Paint ok still glossy, chrome rims."


My other choices were a W123 300D Turbo (would probably do a manual tranny swap one day), or a BMW E30 3 series.

What do you guys think I should do?

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Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)

The question is a bit academic because we don't have any idea of the condition of any of these vehicles with the exception of the 190.

In discussion of the 190, I have only this one bit of advice for you:

There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz.

Find a decent 123. I don't think you can go much wrong with one in good shape. Try to find one that has been maintained by dealer with all records, of course.
BMW:The Ultimate Repair Machine. Near the end of his lease, friend was spending more in shop charges each month than lease payments. Then his car and his wife's (both had BMW), both had transmission failures. They had to park one. Even with their high salaries (both made big $$$) they could not afford to fix both in one month. I think he drives a Toyota now.

Bob is right an early 80's 123 or 126 diesel are the best cars. Probably since you like it a little sportier the 123 is right. Mid-80's mercedes diesels just don't have a good rep. I am surprised that one has lasted 300K.

With the crap detroit puts out these days I am thinking about a Japanese car since my wife seems pretty dead set against a Euro car. I think if you are looking for a conventional car it is pretty hard to go wrong with a Toyota or if you want to pay more for a nicer Toyota buy a Lexus. An occasional expensive repair is better than a money siphon.

Oh boy...

Which one's are you speaking about? W-124's??? W-126?? W-201??

I've got two W126's, and I certainly won't be surprised to see them go 300K.

I am referring to the post 85 diesels that are not the old 4 and 5 cylinders with the iron head. While they are not bad cars they do not have the reputation as having a long as average life as the 123 & 126's of 85 and before. Obviously there are exceptions. I see some late 80's and early 90's rod benders that have a lot of miles. I am not a mercedes diesel expert yet but that is what my research has shown. When the 606 came out Mercedes had a great engine again but the rest of the car was to gadgety.

"There is nothing more expensive than a cheap Mercedes-Benz"

I have to take issue with this. In my experience (going back to 1972) Mercedes parts are no more expensive than similar parts for American cars, you don't need as many of them, and the cars are substantial enough and well made enough that they are relatively easy to fix.

As I am my own mechanic, excessive labor rates don't bother me.

If you doubt what I am saying go out and buy a mid 80's Cadillac, Lincoln or even a Ford or Pontiac with over 150,000 miles on it and try to restore it and drive it as everyday transportation. Within a week you will run screaming back to the arms of your Mercedes.

The statement is made for those people who consider the purchase of a $1500. vehicle that has very little maintenance done to it over the past 10 years. It is to be contrasted with the purchase of the exact same model vehicle at a price of $3500. where there is evidence of maintenance and care to the body and the mechanicals.

At first glance, the lower priced vehicle seems attractive because the mindset of the do-it-yourself mechanic is that he can fix everything that is wrong with it.

When all of the failed components are finally replaced, the individual has expended far more than $2000. in parts.

In this scenario, the logic holds. Nobody was comparing a cheap Mercedes-Benz to an old Cadillac.

So, your judgment of the post '85 diesels is strictly based on the longevity of the head or the durability of the connecting rods in the 603 engine?

Any other variables (transmission, differential, body, climate control, steering, turbocharger, front end components, interior durability..............) factor into your conclusion??

What about the the 602 engine?? Early '90s engine with none of the 603 issues??

Whats wrong with your 300D? It is a bigger faster car then the 190. The 190 sounds like a good restoration project ie not a daily driver, at least not for awhile.

New suspension $2k
New trans $2k
Stuff you will find it needs $2k
Fixing poor door repair and cheap respray $1k

A cheap MB will suck down money faster then you can imagin.

DieselJim I have to disagree with you their.

Whats your price range? Any car you buy for less then $1k is going to need a heck of a lot of work. Unless you manage to score a good deal. You would be better off fixing your current car until you can spend more.

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2016 Corvette Stingray 2LT
1969 280SE
2023 Ram 1500
2007 Tiara 3200

IMHO, there's nothing MAJORLY wrong with my vehicle, just what i think is alot of minor stuff.

-Sunroof isn't working with the motor (its a hand operated unit with no interior liner right now)
-Valve lifter noise
-"Minor" front suspension work
-Climate control
-Cruise control
-Frontal impact needs to be properly mended (hood doesn't close properly
-Respray

Ok... thought it over, and maybe some of the stuff is pretty major. It's still my everyday driver and i'm not worried about it stranding me, knock on wood.

The only reason why I'd consider a 190 isn't because of performance, but because I'd like a more economical car and if lucky, a manual transmission to boot. Otherwise, I wouldn't mind getting another 300D 603.


Speaking of 190D's

I'd love to get this, but can't fork out the extra cash
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=6328&item=4547121084&rd=1

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Jason

00 Subaru Legacy (fun wagon)
96 Nissan Sentra (disavowed)
82 300SD (garage queen, will run again hopefully)
87 300DT (Gone: 10/15/2010)

"The statement is made for those people who consider the purchase of a $1500. vehicle that has very little maintenance done to it over the past 10 years. It is to be contrasted with the purchase of the exact same model vehicle at a price of $3500. where there is evidence of maintenance and care to the body and the mechanicals."

Can't argue with that. I have often advised people to spend a little more and get a better car.

In this case it sounds like a tossup. If Jim can sell his old car for $800 and buy the 190 for $800, and it needs no work, it would be a good deal. Otherwise who knows.

In my opinion you won't get anything better than you have for under $1000. I wouldn't buy any BMW or Mercedes-Benz for under $1000. You should be thinking "Honda". I fully agree with Brian that it is much cheaper in the long run to buy high-middle or better with regards to MB. The only BMW's I have owned were a 2002 and 3.0, both 72's. They were good cars. A mid-late 80's 3 series that has been maintained would be a good vehicle in the 4-5K range (still not better than a 123 IMO). That said, a better idea might be to condense into one vehicle. You have 4 vehicles listed in your sig and money seems to be a consideration, so consider selling 3 and putting the money into the other one, or sell all 4 and buy a nice 123. Maybe you're spread out a little too much...

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1982 Mercedes-Benz 300CD
1982 Mercedes-Benz 240D - stick

Under a thousand you are looking at a parts car or a real diamond in the rough fixer upper. Expect a lot of money going to a shop or a lot of time on the jack stands and getting your hands dirty if you buy a cheap mercedes. I bought my 300SD for 1900 and I have put about 1100 in it in the last year not counting the time put in or tires. 1400 if you count tires. I really enjoy working on it though. I keep making improvements.

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My Daily : 96 E-300 Diesel with 195,000 miles
Retired: 92 300D 2.5 T 345K miles and for sale
Retired: 95 E320 157K miles and currently parked with blown engine

Both retired cars are for sale as is my w124 shop inventory