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I'm currently have a 2005 E-320CDI that I bought new that just turned 198,000 mi. My plan is to run it till it dies. Haven't had any problems with the engine or transmission. I'm doing the recommended 13,000 mi. service intervals.
The mileage on the highway keeps getting better the more miles I put on it. When new it got about 34 mpg, this past weekend coming back from Georgetown, SC to Orlando, FL the computer said I got 41.5 mpg. This has been the general trend since getting the car. Has anyone else had the same experience?
My observation from buying some of these Diesels as well asa seeing what's on the road or in mechanic's shops or in the junk yards, that the OM 617 (5! Cylinder, Turbo or Non-T) is virtually indestructable, unless you NEVER changed the oil.
I bought a Cab 300D turbo with 503k miles on it.
What surprised me was that the odometer held up that long!!
No worries of that engine !
Everything else on the car tends to break before those motors wear out!
Whereas on the newer 6Cylinder Diesel (86 and later):
I constantly have people ask me for motors or heads (they know I am into older Mercedes)
I see them go about 200k and they're done.
Of course just my opinion.
Alex
in N L A County
We are new to the forum and are seeking advice. We have ran across a 85 190DT with 121K miles looks like the rear tire chain may have come off and damaged the fender well vs a 85 300SD with 225K and some slight body dings and thin paint and the interior had a few cosmetic issues and the key area on the drivers side looks it hads a metal insert missing vs a 82 300D with 225K miles with a little paint oxidation on the hood and missing the passenger side mirror and needs tires. We know there are alot of variables and you probably get this alot.....(they are also CA cars with zero rust).....but we are advancing from a 240D that had a cold start problem and a rogue mechanic (aka want to be diesel mechanic) gave it back to me with cylinder head in the back seat on pristine leather and the rest of the parts on the front seat in a box. Anyway, we were thrilled to find your forum and loved the 240D with the 3.0L x4 speed. My husband is an old drag racer (front engine junior fuel dragster). So any advice would be greatly appreciated. We are having a hard time making a decision. Thanks.......rhonda and robert aka mudheads
All of those cars you listed sound like sub-$1000 projects. There are far better cars in CA for only a few hundred dollars more, unless a project is what you're looking for?.
The 87 300D and 87 190D 2.5T are my personal picks for the best cars.
What makes you like this year and model Mercedes? Would this also apply to the 1987 300TD?
I looking at a 1985 300TD and a 1987 300TD, both have about the same mileage on them and both have service/maintenance records; so I am wondering why you pick the 1987 300D (and 190D 2.5T) as your personal pick for the best cars?
Hello every one, I am a new member here.
I am in the process of buying a BMW X5. 2002. Manual trnasmission.
I want to ask if is viable/possible to install a Mercedes benz diesel engine 6 cilinders turbodiesel ( from a 1998/1999) E 300 diesel. In terms of engine bay space I think is fine since the BMW x5 comes with an inline six cilinder engine.
Thanks for yor help
Pedrodiesel
Hi
I don't know how reliable BMW diesel engines are , but they sell Diesel cars in Europe, some turbocharged.
The X5 may come with diesel motors in Europe/Canada?
A BMW motor might be easier to install.
Just a thought.
Alex
Hi
I don't know how reliable BMW diesel engines are , but they sell Diesel cars in Europe, some turbocharged.
The X5 may come with diesel motors in Europe/Canada?
A BMW motor might be easier to install.
Just a thought.
Alex
A buddy,out in Cal.,had a mid 80s 5 series BMW 4 door diesel.
Was a really wonderful car.
Grey market from Europe.
DB444
Any MB diesel car pre 1987 is a great car.
Rust is really the only serious issue.
The turbo diesels are far more peppy than non T models but if the turbo goes bad,as they can,it's a rather expensive fix.
The wagons have often times problematic and expensive to fix the rear level control system that can often be bad.
The latter 190d and newer cars have a less reliable engine but still can be good,but I wouldn't buy one.
If you buy one of the newer MB diesel cars with a electronic/mechanical fuel injection system it can cost thousands to get them running right if the parts are at all findable.
A clean 240d is a good car and what I currently have.
A 300d,300td,300SD US models are also neat cars but they all have auto transmissions.
I much prefer the 4 speed trans. in my 240D.
Again,a rusted Mercedes is real bad news so if you go for one make sure NO RUST.
Rust repair is extreemly expensive done correctly on these cars and is a safety issue for sure.
Don't drive a MB with rust rot especially rotted rocker panels.
MB auto trans. are very good but real boring to drive,in my opinion.
Be sure the small hoses between the injectors for fuel return are new or you'll have serious fuel leak issues even with the car parked.
The roughly 87 and newer cars can have awful wire harness failings and very expensive to put right.
I believe the new Sprint MB vans,and their varients,use a 5 cylinder turbo diesel engine very much like the one in say a 1984 300TD auto.
A 300SD is a car that is currently way to big a car for me.
The 240D is just right.
For the veggy oil folks,the injection pumps on a Mercedes Diesel have seals that were never designed for veggy oil.
So forget all that stuff.
When I see a veggy oil converted car for sale I walk away cause the car is ruined,in my opinion.
87 and newer cars or the 190d cars are a real big gamble,as far as I know.
If MB want's to stay in business in the US they better figure out they need to come again with the 240d and 300d cars with standard 5 speed trans. and w123 build quality and for around $20 grand US.
As most of you know there is a 240d at the MB museum with roughly 3 million miles on the clock.
Folks want value these days not showy expensive excess and MB doesn't seem to be able to figure that out.
Also,their dealers apperently don't want my business unless they can hugely rob me.
And it's been that way for a very long time.
DB444
