So I'm new to the diesel world. Honestly, I'm here because I'm considering buying a diesel to do a WVO conversion. However, I like horsepower (currently have a 2005 Mustang GT, and previously had a 450 hp 1965 Nova) and my impression of typical diesel cars is that they barely have enough power to get out of their own way.
So, with that said, I'm trying to find a diesel that will have enough power that I can be happy with.
Can someone give me an idea of what amount of horsepower the diesel Mercedes have in the different years from say mid-70's to current? I did some searching, but haven't been able to find what I need.
Thanks,
Rick

 

I'm sorry, I can't give you exact hp ratings, but I can tell you that you will have to change your driving habits if you buy a Benz. I have a 1987 300D, and I have driven a 1995 E300 Diesel. Both are turbo-charged. The accelleration is ponderous. It's a little better at speed, but off the line, they are just slow. I used to have a Ford Crown Victoria with 225 hp, similar to your Mustang in speed, and I can tell you, the switch to Mercedes was a big adjustment. It's like switching from a 1000cc motorcycle to a 350cc motorcycle, if that analogy helps at all. I have heard that the newer Mercedes diesels are faster/more responsive. But I've never been in one myself. If you have $30,000-$50,000 to spend, you could check out one of those.

 

I have found my 300SD "peppy" after you have moved about two car lengths form standstill. The turbo boost begings to give some peformance after it spins up. Hope this helps.

 

Yes I understand the motorcycle analogy (one of my toys is a Harley), and no, I don't want to spend $30K+ on a car.
Right now I'm just searching my options. I really enjoy driving my gas powered cars. But I figure gas prices aren't going to go down, and I'm tired of dealing with terrorist countries simply because I need their oil, and lets not forget the big oil companies... don't get me started. The tree-huggers won't let us drill here (don't just me yet, I didn't vote Bush), so at some point I'll HAVE to switch to VO (for the cost and my sanity) for my commuter car, and I want to be prepared. So I'm trying to find something that I'm not embarrassed to drive, and that will have enough horsepower to get itself moving.

If someone could give me approx hp ratings for mid-70's to recent diesels I'd be much apprecieated... OR I'd be happy with some 0-60 or quarter mile estimates...
Rick

 

my 81 300 cd lists hp at 68bhp. turbo makes a little more. diesels are slow, period. no 0-60 times will ever compare to a gas driven engine of half the displacement. my 1995 escort gt had 127 hp from the factory with a 1.6 litre 4 banger. new american diesels offer much more in the way of tuneability.not sure about new foreign diesels but would imagine they will have some performance options. wvo is not an easy thing to do. but if you plan ahead and have reliable sources for wvo it can work. but work it is as nothing is free and there is lots of labor involved. the beauty of diesels is the thermal losses are lower than gas. that means that less energy is lost to heat and more of the thermal energy is used to actually move the vehicle. better mileage is the result.

 

Okay, I'll admit that once the turbo kicks in, there is a "respectable" amount of accelleration. But the 2 seconds you have to wait for the turbo boost feels like an eternity when a big 'ole dump truck is bearing down on you! Maybe I was just spoiled by my old V-8 Ford Crown Victoria ex-police cruiser. When I hit the gas in that car, it just threw me back in my seat instantly. Ah... how I miss the days of road dominion... but I sacrificed it for the chance to run WVO (almost finished my conversion).

Hey Rick, did you know that Kawasaki now has a diesel powered motorcycle in production? It was originally designed for the military, but now available (for a high price) to the public. It's based on their 650cc enduro. If I had the cash, I'd love to get one and run it on biodiesel!

 

I have a 87 300D it is a wonderful car. Its no drag racer, but once you get it warmed up and going say up to 40 mph it is a champ. The change from gas to diesel was hard for me too, but I couldn't ask for a better car. The older Mercedes diesels are tough and reliable, and will run forever, mine is knocking on the 250,000 door and runs like new. The key is to find a well kept MB diesel. If you want hp and a quicker diesel, newer MBs are the way to go. Car and Driver listed the 0-60mph time for a new MB E320 CDI at 7.8 seconds. Impressive for a diesel but they do cost about $30,000 used and $50,000 new. Mine can do 0-60mph in about 10seconds. The longer a diesel runs the better it performs. Now my dad has a 2005 dodge 3500 turbo diesel truck with a manual tranny and it can beat my car any day. It also averages about 27mpg. You might want to think about that route but it is also a little pricey. American diesel trucks have tons of aftermarket parts to make it faster. In fact I just recently saw a diesel dodge truck similar to my dads beat out a new dodge charger. Diesels aren't made for drag racing, their made more for dependability and fuel economy. If you have a need for speed i suggest holding onto your mustang and then just getting a gently used MB diesel. Thats what I did. I use mine for going back and forth to work and then have my vette for weekend fun.

 

I have 4 diesels, all MB and 3 are Turbo, The 87 300D Turbo is the fastest of the bunch by far. Turbos have high torgues, 30+ MPG handles like a sports car and you cand find one for around 5000+or-. The 5 cylinder with cast heads makes a better conversion. Look for a good 81-85 300d or 300SD with the SD for a super smooth ride a dependability. I have 2 300SD's, a 190D and a 87 300D turbo. I have had the fast gas burners but now I am sold on the Mercedes diesels. I test drove the new ones 2006 CDI and the 210 horse power diesels have faster time than the gas counterparts with much more hgorsepower. I was really impressed. Go test drive a couple of different years and models and see if you like them. I liked walking patrols with Ranger students at Camp Rudder for 6 years so my likes are a little different. I love my diesels and they are well maintained.

 

I've got a '79 240D (also previously had an '85 300D) which I believe is rated at a whopping 67 hp. Even in its near-perfect state-of-tune, 0-60 mph comes up in about the same day, which is fine. It helps that it is a stick. These older diesels are an acquired taste, and I love how bulletproof and serviceable they are. That, and tons of mechanical character. I live fairly close to the office, so with the huge tank, I have difficulty remembering the last fillup, which is a bonus.

 

I've got a 1982 300D turbo that has 123 HP that takes it's time. My 2005 E320 CDI however has 201 HP and does 0-60 in 6.8 seconds.