Last year I sold my beloved 87 300td wagon. I liked the car, but decided to buy a new chrysler instead. Now I miss my old diesel and I want to get another. But I want the 123 modeal, I really wasnt thrilled with my 87 after seeing and driving my friends 85 123 5 cylinder wagon, that was much stronger and tougher in my opinion. ok, last year i remember on ebau i could get an 85 wagon for 2500.00 that looked pretty good, now it looks like the prices have risen. Any advice on where to get a good deal on a diesel wagon? also, which is considered the "best" year of them to buy?

 

I went thru the same dilemma looking for the replacement for my 83' 300tdt.
87 was the last year the diesel wagons have been imported to USA. The 300 td engines from 86 and 87 have aluminum heads prone to cracking.
Anyway, the good cars were manufactured in 78 -85, but that makes the youngest one over 20 years old.
I finally went for gasoline powered 4-matic. Great car, but fuel consumption sucks. Not comparing to my 83 diesel, what was about the same, but friend in Canada on his new cdi reports average 42 MPG.
So if you like those 20-years old, try to find one in pristine condition for around 6 grands.
I decided to wait till new cdi-s will come from the lease and start shopping for used one in Canada, or whatever.

 

While I cant disagree that the 123's are nice cars too, don't expect the OM 617 5 cylinder diesel engine to be faster or more fuel efficient than the 87 124 OM 603 6 cylinder diesel engines.

If you have found in your 87 300TD to be slower than a 123, 300TD, there was very likely something wrong that maybe you didn't know about with your 603 engine! Yes, there were cracking issues with the #14, 603 aluminum heads, but only a small percentage of them, most of them still survive very well today!

The 603's have proved to be bullet proof, and as well, and if not maybe better than the 617 engines, not just my opinion, but that of many former 123 / 617 owners.

 

So that's the problem! I have 95 e320 wagon, but I've been looking for 90's diesel wagon ever since. Found a few sedans, but no wagons. The only deisel wagons are 20 years old. Do you have any more details on what's availabe in Canada?

 

The only 124 diesel wagons imported to North America were the 1987 300TD, w/OM603 turbo. Yes they are rare, but if you look hard enough you will find them. Rear suspension for the 87 TD wagon is by far more forgiving than of the earlier 123 TD wagons!

 

Question: Does the 1985 123 wagon have more cargo room than the 87? It looks like they do