Well, I am looking at getting a older model Diesel Mercedes. Just a secondary car/cruiser to share my daily driver duties with my truck now. I love my truck and will never get rid of it but I also like to go cruising and hit the freeway with some speed you know a nice change of pace.

So, a 80s or early 90s model I think I am looking for. My question is how are these engines and cars? I consistently see them for sale with well over 300K, and not missing a beat.

But I do not know much about em so I was looking for some opinions/info on them from you guys.

I see I can get some nice ones for cheap, like 3K or so.

The most expensive Mercedes in the world is a cheap one... I wouldn't touch one without repair and service history. My SDL had all of that, and still needed a trans rebuild (worked fine, just leaked) motor and trans mounts, and a bunch of other small things. My $3000 car has cost me at least that much in repairs over the last three years and I had it painted, adding another $3500 to it. And insurance is sky high.

Was it worth it? Well, I can't seem to kill it, my wife is safe in it, it gets 28mpg and holds 5 adults, and we've driven it to Florida 2x now. So for us, it was better than having a car payment.

The early 90's S320's are the worst engines MB ever made, they all had bad cylinder blocks which disorted and caused excessive oil consumption and eventually, the rod bearings went. The Service replacement blocks corrected this and are generally regarded as the best MB ever made. However, MB refused to warranty the engines, leaving everyone with a $8000-$9000 bill, plus installation. Not everyone replaced them, as you can imagine. So I wouldn't touch an S class (by far the best ride and nicest car of them all) without all the paperwork. They also had alot of electrical issues in the early and mid-90's.

Some of the smaller MB's had good engines and are reliable, but again, without a full service history and all of the common wear items replaced, you're gonna spend some $ getting it right.

I was looking at the 300D's at the time untill I drove an S class car (late 80's). Once I drove the S-class, I stopped looking at the 300D's. World of difference and the SDL's get the even better 3L straight 6 (vs the 300D's 3L, 5 cylinder) which is a better engine (no timing chains every 100,000 miles).

Wow, I had no idea of all those problems. Hell with as many as I've seen with high miles on em I would have though they are a solid car. Kind of a bummer Id like a little sports car like that with a diesel but I can only think of Mercedes that have one. Aside from a VW which is not happening.

I've owned a few 300D's....motor is bullet proof, you can expect easily 500K if maintained properly. Only weak point if their automatics. If your lucky enough to find a 240D with a 4 spd getting scraped, then you can do the auto to manual swap. In most countries the 300D was offered with a manual transmission....Not in the U.S. Only the 240D was available with a 4 spd. 240D is ok with a manual transmission, but really slow with an Auto.

The early and mid 90's MBs are not know for quality other than some of the smaller engine cars.

I have never heard of a mercedes diesel being sports car

Your not expecting speed out of these cars are you? They are eighties diesel, nuff said.

Sport-luxury. You know looking for a change of pace sometimes instead of driving a tank around all day everyday.

Your suburban is no slower than any of those diesels.

I have a 1982 300d turbo that has been a great car. It has been in the family since new, and I have owned it for 15yrs. It had over 323000 on it when the motor started knocking. I put in a new longblock from germany in it and its been great since, like a new car. The car is in great condition, interior has held us great, and it is great on the freeway. It is slow off the line but once the turbo lights it is acceptable. I have the pump turned up and a few other mods and maintenance items that are often overlooked and everyone on the Mercedes club drives is shocked by how fast it is. If you have any specific questions let me know. Here is a photo of it, only one I had available, not the best shot. http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc170/Subman1980/HPIM1652.jpg

Looks CLEAN for a 82...very nice.

Yeah, its in great shape, especially with the mileage. I have the original wheels that were polished also, it just handles better with the larger wheels.

I have had 4 MB and currently own 2. Fantastic cars. Look for a 95 E300 Diesel they're non turboded a good for 1 million miles with proper maintaince.
I did not hesitate on the 95 I just, bought awile back, It had 270,000 mi on it.
I have found MB parts are realitivly less than their american counter parts.
Ex, I just put 2 tie rods on 95 ,rs $22. Ls $32 .
http://www.performanceproducts4benz.com/
Great source for MB parts

If you're looking for slow, a non turbo diesel is it.