Mercedes 300 turbo diesel

[Wayland]

I was recently offered an 82 Merc 300 turbo diesel, 4spd auto, as a trade on the beater 90 Dodge CTD I'm selling. I've heard that these motors are good, but otherwise don't know anything about them. What kind of mileage could one expect from one of these cars? Also, what is the going rate for one of these cars in good running cond. these days? I suspect my truck is probably worth a bit more.

[rs899]

The value depends a lot on your local market, but down here in Florida a decent one would be worth maybe $2-3000US.

Fuel economy would be around 23 MPG city, 28 highway.  The engines can typically last about 300,000 miles if decently cared for.  I have a speedometer off one I saw in a junkyard that had over 500,000.

I have an '83 300D with about 230K miles on it now (also an 80 300SD with same engine 129K , an 82 240D with 190K and a 77 240D with 155K- no issues)

Rick

[dennis]

I use to own a 84 300TD (Wagon) Average milage was about 25mpg. Best I ever saw was 29-30 on a trip to FL from TN. A dog even with turbo, and big time lag. Very tough engine though. You can buy piston, and cylinder sleeve sets for overhauls. Sold my wagon for $4500 two years ago.

[OM617]

With proper maintenance and tuning these cars are definitely not slow.

[dennis]

With proper maintenance and tuning these cars are definitely not slow.

Tuned to Mercedes spec, (includes throttle, and trans linkage, modulator valve adjusted, and pump timing) compared to almost everything on the road the 123, and 126 5 cylinder cars are bricks. I am sure as with most engines they can be (modified) to run better, but modifications are not within the scope of most folks. My worn out 83 Volvo 240 wagon 24D N/A is much more nimble than the Benz. Gets 35mpg highway too.

[rs899]

Something is rotten in Denmark if your Volvo wagon outruns a turbo OM617.  By modern standards, they are sluglike, but in their day they were OK.  Now, the 240D is another matter, but simplicity is its virtue, especially in stick format.

[topless96]

Doesn't take mutch to make the 300td go well. Boost fooler or boost adj and timing with a tranny adjustment will make them go real well. Just sold a 300td coupe with a 5spd that went very well for a heavy car. I drove it from Ct to Fl on filtered used motor oil on a bet, and came back on the same fuel. Stopped at repair shops and they were happy to donate to the cause! Heres to gearheads helping gearheads!!!

[dennis]

Doesn't take mutch to make the 300td go well. Boost fooler or boost adj and timing with a tranny adjustment will make them go real well. Just sold a 300td coupe with a 5spd that went very well for a heavy car. I drove it from Ct to Fl on filtered used motor oil on a bet, and came back on the same fuel. Stopped at repair shops and they were happy to donate to the cause! Heres to gearheads helping gearheads!!!

I run used motor oil mixed 50 50 with diesel. Are you running it 100%???

[topless96]

Yup, 100% all the way down and back. Messy looking but lots of BTU's.

[lord_verminaard]

Was that 5-speed swapped?  I didn't think any of the 300C's had manuals.  If they did, then I'm gonna go look for one right now. 

Brendan

[rs899]

Must have been.  The (US) 300CD only came in automatic.  The (US) 300D only in automatic.  The 240D was imported in 4 speed stick and automatic.  In Europe, you could get 4 and sometimes 5 speed 240D and 300Ds, but no turbodiesels over those years.

[OM617]

Why would you so horribly abuse a good car and the environment running cr@p like used engine oil through it? Pouring it on the ground would have been cleaner. 

[diesel smoke]

I wouldn't run WMO in a Mercedes either. Unless it's on its last legs anyways, then it wouldn't really matter. I just know that I'm madly looking for a Mercedes 300D as a second car that I can drive in the winter. The Bus just doesn't cut it below freezing, and I love the old Mercs. 

[Rabbit on Roids]

ok, so how good are merc engines? if i were to use one i would try and source a 5 cylinder. i would put it in a toyota 4x4. i just want something a little better suited to a 4000 pound rig. and a 1.6 is not that engine. what engine would you guys reccomend? and what did they come in? i want to be able to build alot of power. i dont want the head blowing off.

[OM617]

OM602 used in the 87 190D and 91-93 300D.
OM603 used in the 1987 300D/TD and 86-87 300SDL. Avoid all 3.5L models.

They are known to be good for 250/300hp on stock internals.