Hello all,

1st post here. I am looking to buy a 70-80s MB diesel and was looking for recommendations on which diesels I should consider. My budget is less than $5000. I will be using this as a commuter to get to work, ~80 miles/day mostly freeway. Anyone know what mileage I can expect out of the various diesels? Are the turbos less efficient than the NAs? Which cars would be the most reliable with lowest operating costs? Not to concerned with speed, yet. I'd prefer a manual for fun factor.

Also, is there anywhere I can look for model info and typical maintenance, repairs, etc of the old diesel cars?

Thanks,
Jaz

 

My 72 220D used to get me 30 mpg on the highway but they are pretty gutless. The 240 is gutless too but they can be good for 28 or so on the highway, and they came with 4 speed manuals, or automatics. The 4 speed does give the illusion of more participation in the gutlessness. (these cars are good for about 67 horse power) these cars were both 115 models.

You would probably be happier with a 123 model (late 70's through early 80's). They made a 240D (natural) a 300D natural and a 300D turbo.The five cyl turbo diesels mostly all had automatics, but it's a 4 speed box and the '80 to '85 is a nice crisp box if you get one that's not worn out. My turbo diesels are good for about 26 on the highway. If you find a 115 that you like, MAKE SURE the heater/air conditioning works, you have to completely disassemble the car to replace any major components like the blower, heater core or evaporator. The other thing to watch for is rainwater leaks, these cars are known for this problem. lift up ALL the rugs and check carefully, trunk too. The 123 has an easier to replace blower, but the evaporator (and probably the heater cores) is still way buried.

with 5 grand to spend, you should be able to find something pretty nice, 200,000 miles or less is best.

Good luck

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I commute with my W123. I drive a 150 miles a day. It is a 78' 300D. It is a non-turbo, 5-cyl with an automatic. I get around 25-27 based on driving conditions and weather. I have a 163k on mine. I believe I have 72HP in my car. It is fine once you get to highway speed, but merging onto the interstate/parkway, can be interesting sometimes. You should be able to buy 2 or 3 with $5000.

Good luck in your search!

 

Thanks for the replies thus far...anyone with 190 or 240D have data to share?

I will be sure to watch out for the leaky roofs and I have noticed lots of the cars on the internet having bad heat and/or AC.

 

Haha, true that. It can get very dangerous.

190D is the most economical. 37mpg automatic tranny, I drive more than an hour to college every day of the week and only have to fill up once perweek. Considering the distance, it'sgreat. Good luck finding one though, best bet is eBay. Might get uber lucky like I did and find one on cars.com with low miles.

When not going to college I can last a month on 1 tank going to and from work

 

Ijust sold my 300sdli was able to get between 22-25 normally. One time on a trip it got 27 but i think thats cause it was all flat. Very good on power no problem in traffic. To find one in very good condition then with less than 200k your 5000 might not be enough. Mine had 296k and it is finally leaving today after being sold a month ago!

 

I found a 190D with a 4spd, 183k for $3500. I think I am going to go drive it. The guy says the motor was rebuilt 30k miles ago. Why so early? Should I be concerned with that?

Heat and AC work, car looks pretty clean.

 

They're tough engines, but even they can be abused. If the rebuild was done properly it should give you good service. While the engine is running, remove the oil filler cap. If it doesn't splash a lot of oil around that's a sign of good compression. Put the cap back on but don't secure it. If it just sits there and sort of perculates, that confirms the good compression.
Shut the engine off, open the air filter and check for oil. If it's fairly clean of oil, that's another good sign. Before you buy it, get permission to take it to a professional diesel mechanic and have him go through it. It's worth every penny, particularly if he says it's a dog...
If you really want to drive it on the cheap, convert it to WVO. I got my conversion kit at http://www.greaseon.com You canget free, top WVO soy oil from Japanese restaurants. The first year you'll probably save enough to pay for the conversion kit, jerry cans for the restaurant, 55 gallon drum and 5 micron filters, and the remaining years might cost you around 50 cents per gallon....

 

What year 190d 2.2 or 2.5t?

 

1984 190D 2.2L with 5 speed.

He claims 37 mpg around town. That sounds a bit high to me...

Some guys at work told me to be concerned with wiring and electrical problems on the old German cars and to stay away because they will nickel and dime me to death. Finding people to work on the old car would be a hassle and expensive.

He says a recent japanese commuter would be better and more reliable. I think the MB has more character and style.