Diesels to Buy/Avoid (Pre 95's)
Junior Member
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1
Looking at a 1966 200D, looking for a general price.
Fairly straight, small dent on front driver door, light rust starting at bottom of both passenger side doors, glass is perfect. White in color, original wheels.
Here is a link to the ad
He said it runs and drives, I went and looked at it while he was out, so haven't taken it for a test drive yet. I'm wondering if it's even worth the $1500 or close to that? And the reliability of those engines?
Thanks for reading.
Fairly straight, small dent on front driver door, light rust starting at bottom of both passenger side doors, glass is perfect. White in color, original wheels.
Here is a link to the ad
He said it runs and drives, I went and looked at it while he was out, so haven't taken it for a test drive yet. I'm wondering if it's even worth the $1500 or close to that? And the reliability of those engines?
Thanks for reading.
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 83
From: Rolling Prairie IN
I would agree with FI's comment, and you should pay attention to rust to issues along with what rubber seals and bushings have been replaced.
Junior Member
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 2
1984 300CD turboooo
The CD demands extra value but $5k is still very high. If you can work him down to $4k it would be reasonable if it comes with maintenance records AND a compression test showing minimum 340psi on all cylinders. Without those records and compression test, $3.5k max
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10
RE: "Diesels to Buy/Avoid (Pre 95's)"
For what it's worth, in my humble opinion, the very best Mercedes-Benz Diesel to buy, own, drive, enjoy, and maintain is a W123, specifically the 1985 300D (or any variant thereof); be it the 300D (4D Sedan), or the 300CD (Coupe), or the 300TD (Wagon). They all have the lasting and timeless style of the W123, they are all Turbocharged, which all diesels are meant to be, and only the 1985 300 models have the nice, effective power upgrades, including the highly sought, greatly admired, and forever loved 1:2.88 ratio rear differential. Oh, by the way, I own, enjoy, drive daily, and happily maintain a 1985 300D with a mere 166,000 miles that will cruise at 100 mph at sea level while averaging 28 mpg. So, my recommendation is to avoid "turbo envy" and find yourself a fine, rust-free, no cracks in the dash, very slightly used and very well maintained (as proven by service records and invoices) by the one and only previous owner, a fantastic 1985 300 Diesel Turbo for about $5K, and not only will you never regret your purchase, but quite possibly you will enjoy driving your "only right" choice for the rest of your life, as a true enthusiast!
For what it's worth, in my humble opinion, the very best Mercedes-Benz Diesel to buy, own, drive, enjoy, and maintain is a W123, specifically the 1985 300D (or any variant thereof); be it the 300D (4D Sedan), or the 300CD (Coupe), or the 300TD (Wagon). They all have the lasting and timeless style of the W123, they are all Turbocharged, which all diesels are meant to be, and only the 1985 300 models have the nice, effective power upgrades, including the highly sought, greatly admired, and forever loved 1:2.88 ratio rear differential. Oh, by the way, I own, enjoy, drive daily, and happily maintain a 1985 300D with a mere 166,000 miles that will cruise at 100 mph at sea level while averaging 28 mpg. So, my recommendation is to avoid "turbo envy" and find yourself a fine, rust-free, no cracks in the dash, very slightly used and very well maintained (as proven by service records and invoices) by the one and only previous owner, a fantastic 1985 300 Diesel Turbo for about $5K, and not only will you never regret your purchase, but quite possibly you will enjoy driving your "only right" choice for the rest of your life, as a true enthusiast!
Last edited by 1985W123; Jul 7, 2015 at 01:48 AM.
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Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 7
1986W123; All,
While I do NOT disagree with you, as I own/love my (2-owner) 1982 300CD (It's my "grownup toy" and I plan to will it to my daughter upon my death), my favorite MB Diesel is the 1986-87 300SDL as those W126 sedans are luxurious/roomy/fast/tough/near "bullet-proof" if carefully owner-maintained.
(My 300SDL gets nearly 27MPG on the highway & about 20MPG in the city.)
The 5,000.oo USD mentioned above will buy a 300SDL in great shape that will likely outlive the new owner.
just my OPINION, satx
While I do NOT disagree with you, as I own/love my (2-owner) 1982 300CD (It's my "grownup toy" and I plan to will it to my daughter upon my death), my favorite MB Diesel is the 1986-87 300SDL as those W126 sedans are luxurious/roomy/fast/tough/near "bullet-proof" if carefully owner-maintained.
(My 300SDL gets nearly 27MPG on the highway & about 20MPG in the city.)
The 5,000.oo USD mentioned above will buy a 300SDL in great shape that will likely outlive the new owner.
just my OPINION, satx
Junior Member
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 10
"Diesels to Buy / Avoid (Pre-95's)"
satx78247 and All:
I certainly hear, respect and value your opinion, as it is obviously based on your personal experience and comparison with other models. My opinion regarding the 1985 W123 300D is likewise based on my personal experience and comparison with other models, which is mainly centered on the W123, as I have previously owned 5 of these fine MB Diesels, including both the 4 cylinder 240D manual (2 - 1976 240D Sedans), 5 cylinder 300D non-turbo models (1977 300D Sedan, 1980 300TD Wagon), and turbo model (1984 300D Coupe). I presently own the 1985 MB 300D Sedan, which is both turbocharged, and has the 1:2.88 rear differential, which with other modifications to this particular model year results in both increased power and diesel fuel economy. Therefore, I believe that this is the "pick of the litter" of the W123. In fact, I would like to acquire at least one more, but preferably both a 1985 Coupe and Wagon. Admittedly my scope and focus has been limited and therefore I am definitely interested in other members' opinions, both within my scope and beyond my focus. Now that you've brought the 1986-1987 300SDL to my attention you have piqued my interest in learning more about these W126 Diesels, for which I thank you.
Best regards, 1985W123
I certainly hear, respect and value your opinion, as it is obviously based on your personal experience and comparison with other models. My opinion regarding the 1985 W123 300D is likewise based on my personal experience and comparison with other models, which is mainly centered on the W123, as I have previously owned 5 of these fine MB Diesels, including both the 4 cylinder 240D manual (2 - 1976 240D Sedans), 5 cylinder 300D non-turbo models (1977 300D Sedan, 1980 300TD Wagon), and turbo model (1984 300D Coupe). I presently own the 1985 MB 300D Sedan, which is both turbocharged, and has the 1:2.88 rear differential, which with other modifications to this particular model year results in both increased power and diesel fuel economy. Therefore, I believe that this is the "pick of the litter" of the W123. In fact, I would like to acquire at least one more, but preferably both a 1985 Coupe and Wagon. Admittedly my scope and focus has been limited and therefore I am definitely interested in other members' opinions, both within my scope and beyond my focus. Now that you've brought the 1986-1987 300SDL to my attention you have piqued my interest in learning more about these W126 Diesels, for which I thank you.
Best regards, 1985W123
Member
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 83
From: Rolling Prairie IN
I have read a few posts that say the wiring issue is on the 95 MY 300D. Then another that says 93 to 95. Can anyone confirm? Also short of having proof of the wiring harness being replaced on a 95 300D, what should I look for in regards to wiring problems? TIA!
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Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1
For Forced Introduction only
Absolutely not. The turbo models are better in every sense than the non-turbo models. Anyone that says the turbo models should be avoided simply because of the turbo doesn't know much about cars.
A turbo costs about $525 to get rebuilt and lasts around 250k miles of average use and can be bought used for under $100. LINK
The non-turbo models have a Chrysler designed climate control system with a crack-prone servo valve that costs $700 to replace. LINK
The turbo is extremely simple with 2 moving parts. Along with it you get 37hp more, no change in fuel economy, a much stronger designed engine, much more robust transmission, much better heater and AC system and for late-1982-to-1985 models a stronger chassis.
The only reasons to buy a non-turbo Diesel Mercedes is if a turbo model is not on the market in your area or if you're planning on doing an engine swap to some other engine.
However, the 240D has the advantage of being offered with manual climate controls, manual windows and manual transmission.
A turbo costs about $525 to get rebuilt and lasts around 250k miles of average use and can be bought used for under $100. LINK
The non-turbo models have a Chrysler designed climate control system with a crack-prone servo valve that costs $700 to replace. LINK
The turbo is extremely simple with 2 moving parts. Along with it you get 37hp more, no change in fuel economy, a much stronger designed engine, much more robust transmission, much better heater and AC system and for late-1982-to-1985 models a stronger chassis.
The only reasons to buy a non-turbo Diesel Mercedes is if a turbo model is not on the market in your area or if you're planning on doing an engine swap to some other engine.
However, the 240D has the advantage of being offered with manual climate controls, manual windows and manual transmission.