Hello, I have been researching on this forum, and others for the most reliable model Mercedes. I believe the concensus is the 240D. I can live with the slow acceleration, and thecareful mergingof getting on the freeway, but I am concerned about hill climbing. 98% of our driving is level, but occasionly we (three adults) travel North to Portland Oregon, and South to California. Both directions have about 10 miles of 6% grades, Sexton Summit, and Siskiyou Summit. I would hate to have a car that could not keep up with the trucks (lots of big rigs on I5). Is 6% practical for the 240D? Is 7% a killer? Please advise. Thanks, Bill Dukes

 

Hello, ForcedInduction, and thanks for the fast reply. Fueleconomy.gov shows the 300D as 23 mpg highway for 1985. I assume that is because it is a turbo, automatic. I had arbitrarily set 30 mpg as a minimum goal for what may be my last car. Since fueleconomy.gov does not go older than 1985 I can't really do an apples to apples comparison, but from what I have read the 240D easily makes better than 30 mpg highway. I have always worked on my own cars, and appreciate designs that are easier to work on. I assume the turbo is more difficult to work on than the non-turbo. Since you recommended 82-85 300D I assume you are not recommending earlier 300D's that were not turbo Please correct my assumptions if I am in error. Thanks, Bill Dukes

 

OK, here are the candidates I am going to search for. The
best compression, with the best deal. The most reliable is
row 1. The best mpg is row 4. A compromise between
reliable, mpg,and acceleration is row 2. Please correct me if
any of these look wrong. It's mostly info I gleaned from this forum, and fueleconomy.gov.

Series Chassis Engine Model Years HP Tran. Weight Mpg
123 Sed. 123.123 616.912 I4 240D 77-83 67 M4 3250 25-32
123 Sed 123.130 617.912 I5 300D 77-81 88 ? 3515 27-32
123 Sed. 123.133 617.952 I5 300D tur 82-85 123 A4 351519-23
201 Sed. 201.122 601.921 I4 190D2.2 84-86 72 M5 270026-35
201 Sed. 201.126 602.911 I5 190D2.5 87-89 93 A4 285524-30
201 Sed. 201.128 602.961 I5 190D2.5 tur. 87 123 A4?24-29

Thanks, Bill Dukes

 

OK, here's my new list to look for. So far I've only found 1 1985 300D turbowithin 250 miles. It is $2000. Assuming the compression is good, what mileage would justify this price? Thanks, Bill Dukes
Candidate list modified per ForcedInduction's recommendations:
Series Chassis Engine Model Years HP Tran. Weight Mpg
123 Sed. 123.133 617.952 I5 300D tur 82-85 123 A4 3515 22-28*
201 Sed. 201.128 602.961 I5 190D 2.5 tur.87 123 A4 2866 26-31*
124 Sed 124.128 602.962 I5 300D 2.5tur 90-93 121 A4 3,390 25-31*
* means mpg was increased approx. 2 mpg over fueleconomy.gov per experience.

 

Forced, what's up with the politicalYou Tube clips? Why not just talk about cars/diesels etc? Not sure that this is the best place to voice any form of a political opinion no matter what it is unless it concerns fuel economy or relevant matters to autmobiles et al...