I need some expert advice from the folks in the know.

I live in Houston TX and I have been looking around the classifieds and local Craig's list etc for a Mercedes Diesel. What I am trying to do is get the best MPG and reliabitly for a daily driver vehicle I plan on keeping for a very long time.

I buddy of mine said you have to watch out for certain years as they eat fan belts becuse the pullies were not lined up square to each other. Is this true? What other "watch out fores" are out there?

I have done some reading and see that the 87 300TD and D are very popular and I do like the looks of the W124 better than the W123 but I do not know if the 123 isbetter to have that the 124 and vise versa in the long run. I also see that any 1987s I find listings for are pricy as hell.

What is the best year and model of W123
What is the best year and model of W124
What would be the best hidden secreat to find in, "Damn good car but not to well known about so they can be found at a good price?"

The recamendations donot necessarily have to be an E class, I just zerod in on this as it looks like E class has the most diesels.

Thanks for the help from a newbie

Dave

 

benzworld.org w210 section has more d owners that have owned several models,post a shout out over there.
good luck
90 Mercedes E 300 Turbo Diesel low mls....!!!!! - $7850tucson
2005 Mercedes 320 CDI - $33900texas
1987 Mercedes Benz 300 D Diesel - $1975 san an Mark
210-772-6048
1996 Mercedes E300D diesel
how much you willing to spend and how far will you drive to get one
ohlord

 

I am willing to spend market price but first I need to zero in on what whichone I want to have. The nice thing about being in Houston is there are lots avialbe and they do not have the northern rust issues.

Whats up with that 87 300D for $1975? Is that on is good shape or needs a lot of work?

Thanks

 

call him his name is mark and the number is above,looked nice but who knows till really seen and inspected.
ohlord

 

I think that the 123's are simpler and easier to work in, I have worked on an 1984 E300d since I could hold tools as that is the one that my father owned. I know it to be a great strong car. When they went to the 124 design they went more towards a car that was designed to be more easily manufactured but was difficult to work on. Also Haynes published a very good manual for the w123’s and I am not sure if they did the same for the W124.

However both the 123 and 124 were well designed and built cars and should do well into the 500,000+ miles without major engine problems. When they went to the W210 design Mercedes started to phase out diesel imports into the states due to emissions control and regulations in Cali so they are harder to find.

Other things to consider are the diesel s-classes that were popular, the one before the w140 s-class although the w140’s did come to the states pre 1996 I think.

Good luck in the search. If you get a 123 and have questions drop me a line as I have some experience of the E300D.
Best wishesJames