Best MB Diesel
Best MB Diesel
Alright guys, Hoping for a little help here. I got rear-ended in my month old '82 300D this past weekend and the insurance company totaled it. Its going to become a rally car. I dunno how much they are gonna give me for it yet but I'm shopping for a new one. What is the best MB diesel to get without spending a million bucks? What motor and body style is the most mod friendly?
Thanks!
I'd say go with another 300D. The engine is pretty much bulletproof and parts are readily available.
The 603 turbo engine is supposed to be decent, do some research though. Some heads are known for cracking, some have rods that are known for being weak IIRC. The 606 turbo engine (98-99) is the engine to get though for power upgrades. Thats the 24 valve DOHC engine. Seems the 617 engine is the cheapest for parts, the 603 engine may be close behind, price wise. I don't know much about the other MB diesel engines though, so maybe someone else can chime in too.
Got pics of the hood stack set up? We half-heatedly tried to get my dad to to that on his 300D, didn't work. Would love to see one with it!
I would Find a 240d stick 4spd and swap your 5cyl turbo in there!!! turbo power 4spd manual oh yea!
(06-09-2010, 11:30 PM)Biohazard Got pics of the hood stack set up? We half-heatedly tried to get my dad to to that on his 300D, didn't work. Would love to see one with it!
(06-09-2010, 11:53 PM)willbhere4u I would Find a 240d stick 4spd and swap your 5cyl turbo in there!!! turbo power 4spd manual oh yea!
(06-09-2010, 11:30 PM)Biohazard Got pics of the hood stack set up? We half-heatedly tried to get my dad to to that on his 300D, didn't work. Would love to see one with it!
(06-09-2010, 11:53 PM)willbhere4u I would Find a 240d stick 4spd and swap your 5cyl turbo in there!!! turbo power 4spd manual oh yea!
Personally I'd prefer the 190D 2.5T with a 5-m swap or an 87 300D. The 87 would be the best platform for modifications but the 190 would offer the best economy and power-weight ratio. Both cars have FAR more aftermarket body, suspension and brake performance parts available than any pre-1986 model.
The 99 E300 is good for power, but the body has major suspension rust issues and you have to deal with many electronics. The 05-06 E320 CDI is very good all-around and MB's last great diesel car.
(06-09-2010, 11:30 PM)Biohazard The 603 turbo engine is supposed to be decent, do some research though. Some heads are known for cracking, some have rods that are known for being weak IIRC.
(06-09-2010, 11:30 PM)Biohazard The 606 turbo engine (98-99) is the engine to get though for power upgrades.
(06-10-2010, 06:00 AM)ForcedInduction Personally I'd prefer the 190D 2.5T with a 5-m swap or an 87 300D. The 87 would be the best platform for modifications but the 190 would offer the best economy and power-weight ratio. Both cars have FAR more aftermarket body, suspension and brake performance parts available than any pre-1986 model.
(06-10-2010, 06:00 AM)ForcedInduction The 99 E300 is good for power, but the body has major suspension rust issues and you have to deal with many electronics. The 05-06 E320 CDI is very good all-around and MB's last great diesel car.
(06-09-2010, 11:30 PM)Biohazard The 603 turbo engine is supposed to be decent, do some research though. Some heads are known for cracking, some have rods that are known for being weak IIRC.
(06-09-2010, 11:30 PM)Biohazard The 606 turbo engine (98-99) is the engine to get though for power upgrades.
(06-10-2010, 06:00 AM)ForcedInduction Personally I'd prefer the 190D 2.5T with a 5-m swap or an 87 300D. The 87 would be the best platform for modifications but the 190 would offer the best economy and power-weight ratio. Both cars have FAR more aftermarket body, suspension and brake performance parts available than any pre-1986 model.
(06-10-2010, 06:00 AM)ForcedInduction The 99 E300 is good for power, but the body has major suspension rust issues and you have to deal with many electronics. The 05-06 E320 CDI is very good all-around and MB's last great diesel car.
The 240d with a stick is your cheapest option here in the us they never made the 300d with sticks over here so a 240d is a 4cyl 70hp with option of 4spd manual It is the exact same car with a stick shift and no power! But the 300 d engine bolt's up to the manual trans with little modification and all the parts are here in the U.S.
and the stick puts more power to the ground than an auto!
(06-10-2010, 04:52 PM)willbhere4u and the stick puts more power to the ground than an auto!
(06-10-2010, 04:52 PM)willbhere4u and the stick puts more power to the ground than an auto!
(06-10-2010, 05:33 PM)ForcedInduction(06-10-2010, 04:52 PM)willbhere4u and the stick puts more power to the ground than an auto!
In horsepower. The automatic puts down more torque off the line.
(06-10-2010, 05:33 PM)ForcedInduction(06-10-2010, 04:52 PM)willbhere4u and the stick puts more power to the ground than an auto!
In horsepower. The automatic puts down more torque off the line.
WOW! guys, thanks for the info!!!!!
Now I got to go look up what a W201/W124 is (are?) haha
Again awesome! I will be referencing this thread for a good couple days as I try and soak up as much info as I can...
Here is what we need to work on .... A sequential trans with a torque converter instead of a clutch... but that's way expensive lol
190d/e is a w201 a 300d/e is w124
The W201 gets my vote plus the 602 engines are before the issues of the 603 but have the same potential. There is a reason the finnish guys use a w201 as the chassis for there superturbo!
Also check out 190rev.net for all the info on them that you need, be careful though the 16 valve engine is an enticing gasser!
The biggest factor between the 123/126 and 124 for me was the ride quality. Night and day. One observation about the 606 heads is that if they are still running fine today chances are they are going to keep running fine. My next car will be a W124 without a doubt.
5-link rear suspension is where it's at, did you know that Mercedes spent 5 years testing all different kinds of rear suspension setups before sticking with the 5-link which is in just about every Mercedes made there-after. All starting with the w201. Ok, enough history for today.
Is this the one!?!
Just turned 143K?
Looks kinda sketchy to me why are the trim badges on the back at different heights?
I dunno, spent all of about 3 seconds looking at it...
Awe man, I was afraid of that.... I might call anyway just to see what kind of idiot is on the other end of the phone
(08-25-2010, 10:59 AM)Captain America Awe man, I was afraid of that.... I might call anyway just to see what kind of idiot is on the other end of the phone
(08-25-2010, 10:59 AM)Captain America Awe man, I was afraid of that.... I might call anyway just to see what kind of idiot is on the other end of the phone
Does it say 043015 I thought it said 143015 or 243015 would make more sense cant really make out the first digit.
it said 143015