E-Class (W124) 1984-1995: E 260, E 300, E 320, E 420, E 500 (Includes CE, T, TD models)

1987 300D DIESEL LIFESPAN CHAT

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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 10:16 PM
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From: CHATTANOOGA
1987 300D TURBO, 1994 E420, 1980 300CD, 1980 300SD, 1999 DODGE RAM 3500 TURBO DIESEL
1987 300D DIESEL LIFESPAN CHAT

Im new to this site so bare with me while I figure out this post. I have a 1987 300 D Turbo with 315k on it, and its still running like a a champ. I am curious to know is there anyone else out there with 300d with really high mileage still running strong. I always hear stories of MB Diesels with 600k to a million miles, but I have never heard it from anyone first hand who actually owns and drive one. I have become a MB nut after buying my first benz 4 years ago which was a 94 e420. I loved driving a sedan with so much power, nothing like being on the interstate when a hot shot newer Mustang gets beside you and tries to race. I infuriated a guy who was driving a new mustang who tried to smoke my 420, my car ate his lunch and it was beautiful. I have since been addicted and have tried and found it very difficult to go back to the average american car. I hope to someday soon own a w124 500e/e500. Anyways if any one has any info it would definitely not be in vain.
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Old Jan 19, 2010 | 10:27 PM
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When I was an apprentice motor mechanic, way back in the day, way back in another country, way back on another continent, the supervisor of the engine room at our shop had the second generation of Mercedes diesels; a 1960 something 220d. Bigger exhaust valves than intake valves if I recall correctly.

He had gone for 1000000 kilometers over a period of 20 odd years, with nothing but oil changes, glow plugs and injector servicing. That's 600000 miles, if you're counting.
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Old Jan 20, 2010 | 03:04 PM
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1988 W124 300E Auto
Originally Posted by SILVERSPUR
I always hear stories of MB Diesels with 600k to a million miles, but I have never heard it from anyone first hand who actually owns and drive one.
My next door neighbour owns a 250D. I caught a lift from him the other day, and commented how it was a low mileage example - only something like 115,000 km on the clock.

"Oh", he said, "the speedometer broke years ago, when the car had done about 500,000km I think"

So over 600,000km - not the original engine, but still rides silently, no creaks or groans.
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Old Jan 20, 2010 | 05:52 PM
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From: CHATTANOOGA
1987 300D TURBO, 1994 E420, 1980 300CD, 1980 300SD, 1999 DODGE RAM 3500 TURBO DIESEL
Nice, I just read a post where a guy had 815k miles on his 92 300d, that is crazy. He claims its all original with just basic up keep. The car was used as a taxi, supposedly still driving.
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Old Apr 29, 2012 | 02:31 AM
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Do a quick search on youtube and you will find many many Mercedes diesels with well over a million kilometers, mainly taxis in Germany.
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Old Apr 30, 2012 | 09:01 AM
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'01 W210 E320 CDI
The Turbo's don't get to a million KM's easily, but a regular 300D preferably with a 5-speed manual (all the taxi's have them) can get you a long way if you NEVER abuse it!

btw an OEM W124 taxi was usually a 200D or 250D with detuned horsepower so the drivers couldn't abuse them even if they tried all the time...
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