Looking for Opinions on an old Diesel Mercedes

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

I am a person of many automotive loves ( perversions?) and one of those things is I love reliable cheap to operate cars, not just fast ones. Anyhow, I have always had a thing for the 1976-1985 Mercedes Benz W123 Chassis diesel cars like the 240D and 300D. I like the look and the fact that the only thing that seems to kill them in any large numbers is rust. One of the other things that is incredible is the amazing solidity they are built with. Even rusty ones have doors that close with a feeling of solidity that is just incredible. I also drive 40-50k city miles a year and need something reliable and good on gas...err...diesel. I would prefer the 300TD which is the station wagon with the 3 liter 5 cylinder turbo diesel as it would be a good car to use for swap meets and parts chasing in addition to it's intended service as a pizza delivery car. What I am wondering is what kind of fuel mileage do people get from them? How hard is it to add an intercooler? What commonly goes wrong so I know what to look for?

 

[markcp]

Here you go, best of both worlds.. Diesel and a Monte Carlo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RO_kjaxIDzc

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

That thing is cool, but not what I want as the engine is just too big displacement wise. Plus, I want a car that is capable of going over 1,000,000 miles as many 240D and 300D Benzes have. And besides, there is no comparison when it comes to interior quality and the Monte would not have an air bag or ABS like the Mercedes. ( the W123 was one of the very first cars to come with a driver's airbag standard-starting in the 1970's!) I also do not want EFI as it is more problematic than the simple mechanical fuel injection Mercedes used until around 1986.

I figure that I own one of the absolutely best gasoline powered vehicles ever made from a reliability, durability and longevity standpoint in my 4 cylinder /5 speed Nissan truck ( original engine, 273k miles of city driving-80% of it delivering pizza( 800-1,000 miles every week)-and oh yeah-one owner and one engine) and I want to add the ultimate diesel car to my collection. Besides, these things are cheap with some available for around $500-1500 in very serviceable condition.

 

[SBCregal]

we have an 00 safari with just under 800k km on it...orig owner, motor and trans...nothing but maintenance stuff
im surpised by the mileage people are happy with getting nowadays
i've heard alot of people bragging about getting 200k on their cars etc
*shrug*

 

[megaladon6]

get a vw TDI. it may mot be as fancy but it drives alot better, gets better MPG, doesn't rust out, handles better, is already intercooled, doesn't leak oil, injectors never needs to be bled, easier to find parts for.
mine gets 49mpg regularly (mixed driving and a heavy right foot), has never broken down and has had only one non-maintenance item go bad--glow plugs at 130k, it takes 10 minutes to change.

 

[85 Cutlass Brougham]

Well, if I could find a TDI that was affordable ( under $1,000) I probably would consider it. I refuse to own any car that requires monthly payments or that I would need comp or collision insurance on. I was paying $268 a month for my truck 5 years ago and that high payment made me say "Never again!" I make less than $30k a year and a payment that big ( If I could even finance one with a 500 beacon score) would make me lose my house. Thing is, I just want the Benz because I have always liked them. I would consider a early 80's Rabbit Diesel if I found one of those cheap too, but neither of the smaller cars are RWD nor are they available as a station wagon ( late Jetta and Passat excepted). Plus, the Benz is just plain cool looking. It has polished aluminum bumpers and does not at all look "plasticy". I am not looking for one in perfect shape cosmetically, but it mechanically needs to be in good running shape. I also like the mechanical injection over the later electronic injection. Also, I can't find parts for the TDI cars in the local U pull it for cheap if I need interior or body parts. For me, a late VW is far harder to maintain and find parts for than a W123. While the Benz may not be the most corrosion resistant thing in northern areas, here in Florida they rarely have extensive rust. There are many rust free panels in local junkyards to choose from at bargain prices. I also can weld and do major rust repairs when needed, but it should not be necessary as there are enough of them to choose from that are structurally sound. I also paint my own cars so, I should be able to make it look nice for little money. Besides, I beat the living sh*t out of every vehicle I own. The Benz is better equipped to take the severe duty driving I do as I drive 80-100 miles a day delivering pizza. Plus, I have a tendency to jump my cars on bumps because of the speed with which I go down some roads around here. In fact, I have even gotten over a foot of air under all four tires of every car I currently own--always unintentionally!

Anyhow, here's one I would consider if I had $1,000 right now and did not need to spend it on finishing my Cutlass or fixing the back porch roof that is collapsing on my house:http://tampa.craigslist.org/car/475434556.html