Test drive
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: Near NYC, US
1987 300TDT
Test drive
Hello,
Need some advice on pulling the trigger. Test drove an 87 diesel wagon - 230k miles:
1) almost zero blow by out the oil filler cap - could barely feel any blow by. No noticeable exhaust out the back.
2) Feels under powered - but I don't have anything to compare it to - and from talking to people and what I read the OM603 is underpowered. Basically push the pedel to the floor AND then go.
3) Steering seems heavy - particularly at the "sides" - it is gradual, but get heavy the further out you turn the wheel.
4) Car wanders a bit on the expressway - not really pulling to one side or the other - but not dead straight (no vibration though).
5) oil looked nice and dark - no white/brown color. Has a lot of records and looks like it was changed very regularly throughout it's life.
Anyway, please let me know your opinions about the power of the diesel (is my description common)? and the heaving steering/wandering issues? The car is priced below $3k.
Thanks.
Need some advice on pulling the trigger. Test drove an 87 diesel wagon - 230k miles:
1) almost zero blow by out the oil filler cap - could barely feel any blow by. No noticeable exhaust out the back.
2) Feels under powered - but I don't have anything to compare it to - and from talking to people and what I read the OM603 is underpowered. Basically push the pedel to the floor AND then go.
3) Steering seems heavy - particularly at the "sides" - it is gradual, but get heavy the further out you turn the wheel.
4) Car wanders a bit on the expressway - not really pulling to one side or the other - but not dead straight (no vibration though).
5) oil looked nice and dark - no white/brown color. Has a lot of records and looks like it was changed very regularly throughout it's life.
Anyway, please let me know your opinions about the power of the diesel (is my description common)? and the heaving steering/wandering issues? The car is priced below $3k.
Thanks.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 1,016
Likes: 0
Being that you've only just joined this site, I don't know what your experience is with Mercedes vehicles, so I really can't comment on how the steering feels.
But, Mercedes typically have a "heavier" steering feel than most other cars. And I don't know if that's what you were feeling or not.
Can't speak to any other issues at the moment.
But, Mercedes typically have a "heavier" steering feel than most other cars. And I don't know if that's what you were feeling or not.
Can't speak to any other issues at the moment.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,968
Likes: 3
1990 300ce 24v I6
Wandering could just be uneven tire wear, or a worn steering shock/damper. Apparently on my coupe after having that replaced my steering tracks completely straight (used to wander right).
The heavy feel is pretty common with the recirculating ball steering system the w124 uses. I rather prefer it to the awkward and twitchy Rack/Pinion feel of most US and Jap cars.
The heavy feel is pretty common with the recirculating ball steering system the w124 uses. I rather prefer it to the awkward and twitchy Rack/Pinion feel of most US and Jap cars.
