Skid Row Joe wrote: The 1986-'87 300SDLs can cost a lot of money to keep on-the-road, but are relatively cheap to do if you DIY. They are a good choice in the MB turbodiesel powered line-up. It's incredible a car that big gets almost 30 mpg on the highway, but it does.
I drove my '83 300SD to 305K, and it was in perfect mechanical shape when I bought a new '99 MB E300TD Turbodiesel 9-years ago. Very inexpensive car to operate, and very safe to ride in.
What is your definition of "lot" ?
30SDL have the same drive-train what 300tdt I used to own. Engine mounts were $9 while for newer one I paid $90 at discount retailer.
PS rebuild kit was about $30, while on newer one the only option is get rebuild pump for $400. The list might go and go. In 1990-s Mercedes wanted to compete with cheaper brands and substitute some materials and labor. That unfortunately show up on their reviews.
Still with some luck excellent vehicles and premium part prices go with premium vehicle.
Visit mercedesshop.com, Diesel Threads, and read the commentaries by their actual owners. Ask around, it's no secret. The 300SDLs are more likely to need more parts replacements than any comparable 240D, 300D, or 300TD from the mid-1980s era. People buy them for their status symbol look, not because they're cheaper than the three models I cited. Most all the stuff from that era is on it's way to being rusted out by now anyway, some severely if it was ever kept and driven in snow country anyway. Read all about it at mercedesshop.com.
If you don't do most of the parts replacements necessary from time to time on your '98 E300TD, you're in for a surprise in parts and labor costs too.
If you don't do most of the parts replacements necessary from time to time on your '98 E300TD, you're in for a surprise in parts and labor costs too.
The older coupe was always my favorite Mercedes shape, but I never bought one. With family 4-doors are really handy. Sure loaded S class have more parts to break than basic models, but the drive-train is still bulletproof.
Newer MB parts cost a lot for several reasons.
In USA dealers have like 3-4 x markups.
Than MB USA is not selling small parts anymore. Mentioned whole power steering pump, or when you have bad CV joints you are forced to buy whole axle. Fortunately lot of parts are interchangeable.
In my 1997 E300D am using window regulator (you've gotta know what is it by now?) from like 25-years old 190.
Pessimist sees dark tunnel, optimist sees a light at the end, realist sees lights of coming train.Engineer sees 3 idiots on the tracks.
Well.. I will give you a comparison of all cars on the market This comparison covers everything from a Yugo to a Lamborgini El Diablo
Cars (And trucks) come in basically three types
Front wheel drive
Rear wheel drive
All wheel drive (4wd)
The purpose of the car is to get from Point A to point B
now, on clear dry pavement, they all work about the same, some are more comfortble than others (More so if you are six foot plus tall) some go faster (But they all do the posted speed limit)
On less then optimum pavement the FWD seems to have a slight advantage
And if you go off the beaten path the all wheel drive work better (The El-Diablo is an all wheel drive)
Beyond that... There's not really a lot of difference unless you tow
Then some tow more than others.
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
The purpose of the car is to get from Point A to point B
Than as usually the dog is buried in details.
In some cars you will arrive to point B smiling widely, in some irritated and is some plain sick.
I did share driving to ski resort this season with my friend.
I drove 11-years old Mercedes with 240,000 miles he 3-years old Honda with 60,000 on it. He was really impressed how nice ride the beaten up Mercedes offers, while seating on the rear in Honda I could not hear what front occupants say. They had to raie their voices above the car noise so I could understand them.
I'm really gonna miss your posts about the superiority of your 20 year old Mercedes diesel that goes from 0 - 180 in 3.2 seconds and gets 50 MPG and has never been in the shop
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