hey . im about to buy a mercedes. right now i drive a 300td 1984 but my engine sucks. im lookin into buying a 190e (1984-85 -86) or a 300sel(84)diesel. the question is: the 190 is a gas engine. how long do these gas engines run? some people r selling them with 150 thousand miles on it. is that alot for those cars? i know that the diesel runs for 500 thousand miles but do the gas ones die earlier. please help and give me any suggestions u can. thanx. –david pfdz@nyc.rr.com 646-267-1109

300SEL is not a diesel. 300SD has the same engine you have now.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

How does one define "my engine sucks"? It's not a dragster if that's what your looking for. Are you looking for speed or reliability and economy? If your looking for reliability and economy, unless their is something seriously wrong with what your driving, you already own it. You want to go fast, buy a gas model. I've always owned gassers, 3 all together, and have friends who own diesels. The mid-80s diesels, altho they must be getting tired by now, are some of the best cars ever designed to run on this planet. Any of them. The gassers, on the other hand, seem to need more repairs, simply because they can be driven harder.

I don't know much about the 190's. Early to Mid 80's 280's are good cars for gassers.

Kirk 83 280SL

I've heard not such good things about the 190 cars. Lots of nit-picky problems. I've heard, in particular, that the plastic radiator parts are a nuisance.

I have, currently, a 1979 300TD (non turbo wagon) and a 1989 300SE. The 123 cars are durable and workmanlike; the 126 is a real pleasure on the road, and the M103 inline 6 is a sweet engine. Still, in terms of repairs, the diesel is definitely a cheapter date. The problem these days is finding a 123 that is in reasonably good shape. I was lucky with mine--the previous owner had installed a factory rebuilt engine. He got fed up when the rear hydraulic suspension system failed, so I got the car and fixed it myself. It's been a fine car since, and I drive it as my primary car around town, primarily because it is much cheaper to run than the 300 SE.

Joe B.

Hey, I've got a great idea! Why not post the exact same question in 3 different forums?? That way you can just pick out whichever answer you like the best.

__________________
Palangi

2004 C240 Wagon 203.261 Baby Benz
2008 ML320 CDI Highway Cruiser
2006 Toyota Prius, Saving the Planet @ 48 mpg
2000 F-150, Destroying the Planet @ 20 mpg



TRUMP .......... WHITEHOUSE
HILLARY .........JAILHOUSE
BERNIE .......... NUTHOUSE
0BAMA .......... OUTHOUSE

Did he really do that? And where the heck is Ignert Ridge?

with a little tinkering with alda valve and a few other tricks talked about at lengh in the diesel discussion a W123 can "Run like a scalded dog".

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Nothing in this world can take the place of persistence. Talent will not; nothing is more common than unsuccessful people with talent. Genius will not; unrewarded genius is almost a proverb. Education will not; the world is full of educated derelicts. Persistence and determination alone are omnipotent. The slogan "press on" has solved and always will solve the problems of the human race.
Calvin Coolidge (1872 - 1933)