Hi,
I'm thinking of buying 1990 300d with 270,000 miles and would like to know of any problems I need to look out for or be prepared to repair later.
thanks, jp

 

From all I've read the best Mercedes diesels were built between 1978 and 1985....the premium years were the 300D T 1981 to 1985.. Mercedes also built a good mercedes diesel between 1993 and 1995.... All others, Buyer Beware!
Still, I juat now pulled this favorable review: http://www.epinions.com/auto_Make-19...splay_~reviews

 

Charles you forgot to add the 86-87 were also very good years. 86 had no problems and the 87 were great once the trap oxider recall has been preformed the ones to look out for is the 3.5l six from 90-95 in the W126 and W140 they been rods.

 

Well, you may be right, Hell, I wouldn't make a pimple on a good mechanic's butt.... Yet it seems to be common knowledge that 1986 was the first year Mercedes used aluminum heads in their diesels and it seems they were flawed.

Henry Schuman of http://www.Schumanautomotive.com who has been a diesel mechanic since 1977, said the first aluminum heads more often than not, will soon develop cracks. Also http://www.Mercedessource.com will advise you not to buy a 1987 Mercedes diesel.

Still, theres alway exceptions to the rule. Henry owns about 10 Mercedes diesels. His 1987 300D T has over 500,000 miles on it. He said his auto has the best of the 2 aluminun heads that were made for those years, but he can't explain how his 1987 has made it this far.. BTW, Henry also says Castrol HD 30 is the only oil to use in a Mercedes diesel.

 

Well Charlie I have been working on Mercedes since 1968 but a Shop owner since 1977 and I really like the older cars although I have had a few of the 201, 124, 140 no c-class or newer and just don't care for them . And I do use straight weight oil in my vehicles and depending on the Temp usually here in Tex it is 30Wt. and it is Castrol . Thanks for the plug to our site hope it doesn't step on any Toes . If it does then a Moderator can edit it .We can extend the same privelages .

 

I read somewhere that if the 86 and 87 300D T's were allowed to idle down to cool before switcfhing off the heads won't crack... Do you think that could be one of the reasons you've gotten so many miles on your 87 300D T?