Mercedes Diesel?

[jrandol]

What do you fellas think of the Mercedes Diesel engines for their cars? Are they quality and can go many trouble free miles? I am planning on buying a used car come next spring so I can turn the truck into a monster and use the car as my daily driver. Sold on the diesel engines but worried that a Jetta might be a little to small for me. Anything to watch for on the Mercedes Diesels? Can they be slightly bombed?

 

[LightmanE300]

Hey there. They are superb if you get one that's been well maintained. They are easy to work on and are very hard to kill. Depends how much you're looking to spend. The last mb diesel model was the '98-'99 E300. These could be as high as $30k still. Then again, a friend bought a '82 240D for $500 on ebay, and drove it all t he way to FL from NY and has been using it as a daily driver for the last 15k ... :-laf I personally love the 300CD coupe. Has the 300 turbodiesel engine in a sleek 2 door model. There was one on ebay last year, an 82 with only 7k original miles, it was awesome. :--)

 

[mgoncalves]

I thought the passat was going to get the tdi soon. That would make a nice commuter for you Jeff.



Matt

 

[jrandol]

Originally posted by mgoncalves

I thought the passat was going to get the tdi soon. That would make a nice commuter for you Jeff.



Matt

Yeah, that might be true. But I dont want to drop another 30k in a car, I am thinking used with some miles on it. Car loans just arent my bag ya know?

 

[jrandol]

I love my wife, she is so funny!!



Short story:



We are driving thru town yesterday and all of sudden out of no where she starts talking about gas prices and says "Mercedes cars use Premium fuel, you dont want Diesel Mercedes, then you'll have to use Premium Unleaded. "



Oo. Yes she is blonde and was born in California She rocks!!

 

[lschultz]

A typical remark from a female. You need to keep a log on that one.

 

[krs]

I've liked Mercedes, and I've hated Mercedes. Have had four of them, all but one pre-"E" models. That last one was a 300E and it was nothing much but trouble. Won't starts, two A/C compressors and a turbo take a big toll and some of the nickle and dime stuff like power windows and locks, dashlights, and brakes could drive a calm person insane. The older cars were two 300D sedans and a 240D sedan. The 240 was unbeatable but S-L-O-W. That car was one of the kind that you know will keep chugging along no matter what. A tank. Bulletproof and still is - my old one, a '78, just crossed 700,000. It got an engine that was longblock new at $2400. while I had it at 450,000. The others, 81 and '84 300Ds, were also nice but for the endless turbo quirks. Mercedes knew the turbo wouldn't hold seals ao they warranted the thing for as long as the car is on the road no mater who owns it. Far as I know that's still in place. I liked them best for the hard seat, the body tightness, and the pretty nice handling. They are the little brother to the big 300SD - almost the same but littler.

All parts are 30% higher than they should be, seems like, and the parts people are snobby jerks in my experience.

 

[willyslover]

gave my old '84 300SD to my Sis at 250K and it still runs and looks VERY GOOD today... bet it will see a ton of miles. . it is one of the 5 cylinder models... the 6 was not near as good a motor IMHO



as ststed above weak link is the air conditioner compressors [5 in 250K at $1000. 00 ea. ] no other issues on mine... . I would still use it to commute IF I wasn't retired, but Sis was in a hurt for a good car