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Crash Course in MB Diesel

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Old 03-04-2007, 04:13 PM
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Crash Course in MB Diesel

New to the forums, but not new to diesels. I am considering buying a Benz diesel car. What years are best? When did they switch over to electronic pumps? What years respond best to power upgrades? Are they still tough when the power is increased? How tough are the trannys? Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated as well.
Old 03-04-2007, 05:34 PM
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2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
all in the name of tree hugging

Originally Posted by SmokinCummins
New to the forums, but not new to diesels. I am considering buying a Benz diesel car. What years are best? When did they switch over to electronic pumps? What years respond best to power upgrades? Are they still tough when the power is increased? How tough are the trannys? Any other recommendations would be greatly appreciated as well.
If you want to go the way of the DIY get the 1980s cars and modify like Mr 240 on this board. Go see some of his videos on You Tube.

If you are a desk enthusiast like me who does not want to get his hands dirty get a 1999 300 turbo diesel.

If money is no problem get a 2006 E320 CDi with a Carlsson or Kleemann tuning box you will be flying. The engines are the last of the straight 6 series for MB and totally developed.

I would stay away from the Bluetecs for a year or so. My friend's brand new GL 320CDi broke down immediately after delivery and the dealer does not know what is the problem. It changed a whole lot of "control system electronics" including a "crankshaft position sensor" whatever that was. Fortunately it started running again. The Bluetecs seem to be complicated and to me they are the diesel engine pioneers like the series one American gasoline V-8s with catalytic converters, only better developed at launch.
Old 03-04-2007, 08:03 PM
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Originally Posted by harkgar
If you are a desk enthusiast like me who does not want to get his hands dirty get a 1999 300 turbo diesel..
i have a 98, is there a difference between the 98-99?
Old 03-04-2007, 09:36 PM
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I looked at an 84 123 today after posting. Actually looked at several, but the one that interests me is a 59,000 mile diamond in the rough. Body very nice, interior needs a good cleaning - but still what I would consider excellent for a 22 year old car. It was in a grass fire and burned under the car and at the bottom of the passenger front door. Priced very reasonable at $1000. My problem is I do not have much excess time to make it a driver. It comes with a ton of spare parts - even a couple of spare engines.
Old 03-04-2007, 10:49 PM
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2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
Originally Posted by mv420xx
i have a 98, is there a difference between the 98-99?
Not sure.

I know there is another engine for the W210 around 1996 or so rated at 160 bhp. The engine specifications including horsepower is in your owner's manual.
Old 03-04-2007, 10:55 PM
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2006 E320 CDi, 2008 3/4 Ton Suburban, 2007 "rice rickshaw" Accord 5 speed
Originally Posted by SmokinCummins
I looked at an 84 123 today after posting. Actually looked at several, but the one that interests me is a 59,000 mile diamond in the rough. Body very nice, interior needs a good cleaning - but still what I would consider excellent for a 22 year old car. It was in a grass fire and burned under the car and at the bottom of the passenger front door. Priced very reasonable at $1000. My problem is I do not have much excess time to make it a driver. It comes with a ton of spare parts - even a couple of spare engines.
You cannot go wrong paying that price for a car with a couple of spare engines.

Is the car driveable?
Old 03-04-2007, 11:54 PM
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No, he pulled the engine/tranny to start replacing the damaged stuff - vacuum lines, hoses and such. It comes with the original engine and tranny plus one spare set of unknown quality, plus one set with a broken timing chain. Also, He is throwing in a spare car to use whatever parts I need to put it back together.

Last edited by SmokinCummins; 03-05-2007 at 12:01 AM.
Old 03-16-2007, 11:50 PM
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1999 E300 TurboDiesel
Originally Posted by SmokinCummins
I looked at an 84 123 today after posting. Actually looked at several, but the one that interests me is a 59,000 mile diamond in the rough. Body very nice, interior needs a good cleaning - but still what I would consider excellent for a 22 year old car. It was in a grass fire and burned under the car and at the bottom of the passenger front door. Priced very reasonable at $1000. My problem is I do not have much excess time to make it a driver. It comes with a ton of spare parts - even a couple of spare engines.
It's worth it. It might take a full weekend to get it running, and then some tweaking time after that, but still worth it.
Old 03-16-2007, 11:59 PM
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1999 E300 TurboDiesel
Originally Posted by mv420xx
i have a 98, is there a difference between the 98-99?
(1995 Europe)/1996-1997 W210 136hp OM606 NA

1996 4-speed Auto
1997+ 5-speed Auto

1998-1999 W210 177hp OM606 Turbo

I think that the only other differences were the '98 came out with a radio that was common to the C-Class and the '99 had an Audio 30 tapedeck or Audio 10 indash CD. Other than that, they are practically the same car AFAIK.
Old 03-18-2007, 06:51 PM
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thanks.

this is my engine. 1998-1999 W210 177hp OM606 Turbo.
Old 03-18-2007, 07:32 PM
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Originally Posted by anghrist
(1995 Europe)/1996-1997 W210 136hp OM606 NA

1996 4-speed Auto
1997+ 5-speed Auto

1998-1999 W210 177hp OM606 Turbo

I think that the only other differences were the '98 came out with a radio that was common to the C-Class and the '99 had an Audio 30 tapedeck or Audio 10 indash CD. Other than that, they are practically the same car AFAIK.
'99 had side curtain airbags. ESP is a rare but excellent option on both years.
Old 03-19-2007, 02:25 AM
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Late Built 2005 W-211 E-320 CDI
Smile Radio . .

'99 radio uses fiber-optics, whereas the '98 does not.

Old 03-20-2007, 11:38 AM
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e300d
Originally Posted by Green E-300 DT
'99 radio uses fiber-optics, whereas the '98 does not.


Ummm, a few more differences than just the fibre optic connection, D


Here are the things we've been able to document:

W210 turbodiesel trivia stuff - - USA market

· 1999 -3rd brakelight in the rear window is an led cluster versus the single bulb on the 1998
·
1999 - Radio head has integrated phone and the "007" cassette door.
Tweeters actually present up the drivers and passengers doors.
·
1999 - Rear seat overhead light is slightly larger.
·
1999 - Side curtain overhead airbags. Flip down handles on the "oh my God handles" vs solid mounted on the 1998.
·
Spare tire/wheel 1999 has a shiny black 5 spoke alloy that looks a bit "blingy." 1998 just had a regular "umbrella" style rim same as what was mounted on all 4.
·
1999 has "Tow" Switch up on the console. 1998 didn't have one
· Interior trim (colors) is different...take a look at the A/B/C pillars and the color of the rear deck.
· Homelink is integrated into the RVM on the 1999
· Door airbags in the 1999
· ACC display is different
· Fibre optic connection for audio system
· 1998 radio is entirely different (I think I am comparing a Bose (in my 1999) to a non-Bose)
· Leather "inserts" are standard on the 1999
· 1999 has one-touch up/down on ALL FOUR windows

Last edited by uberwgn; 03-20-2007 at 01:51 PM.

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