I have a 5-speed manual 190D 2.0 in Germany and I am considering importing here. It has no rust, and I just don't think I can get a more reliable ride for the import costs.
84SD 250k 617, 3.07:1 axle, 26-28mpgs consistent. Car lives at 29-3200rpm at 65-80mph respectively. Best car I have ever owned. Also cool how you were able to recall just about all the early car diesels out there. Take care friend👊👊👊
I bought a 2001 E320cdi when it had 300 000km on the clock. Never had an issue with the car (except one time when a mechanic left the bolts on the high pressure fuel pump loose after service). If I hadn't done the pre-emptive maintenance on the gaskets, I probably wouldn't have had any issues with it. Finally traded the car for a new Touran as my wife absolutely had to have a new car (that she could then abuse). Worst move ever.
This was a fun video! I was waiting, yelling at the TV for you to mention the Lincoln diesel from the BMW 524. Loved the nod to the 6bt Cummins and difference in VE/P7100 pumps. Keep up the great work.
We owned a 1981 Cadillac with a deisel, we ended up changing it out with a 350 rocket from an olds. It ran great and ran forever, of course there was a little smoke out the exhaust because that olds motor had issues with the piston rings but it was very little and ran like a champ.
2:24 yes I remember alot of those diesels. Funny about the ranger ,a buddy had an 84 model and a new kid in school had the Mazda with the diesel. Dead even in a race, it came down to who could shift better. Of course you couldn't even tell they were racing 🤣🤣
...the 200Tdi in the early 90's Landrover Defender/Discovery (developed by Peugeot) was a fantastic 4 cylinder workhorse ...I had an ex-Camel Trophy Defender LHD for 9 years ...and I really love my battered 1985 Mercedes 300d
On our farm...240D AND 300D Euro spec, being in South Africa. Our daily drivers and albeit slow...reliable and cheap to run...especially with the Biodiesel option now that our useless government burns all the diesel in turbines to keep our lights on and raises diesel price to fund that. Thanks for your views Pierre. Enjoying your channel!
I remember as a kid our book keeper pulling into our circle drive one evening in her mercedes diesel- lasting impression beautiful car and that engine noise haha. Helped she was a beautiful german woman as well
I love Mercedes diesels, and have owned and serviced a lot of them. I currently own a '90 300D with an OM602.96 and an '87 300TD with an OM606.96. But I also own an '89 VW Vanagon with an ALH TDI, and an '04 Passat with a BHW TDI. I like diesels. But, I also despise working on the OM61X series of iron head diesels simply because they're a regular PITA to do basic things like change the belts or do an injection timing service. I can replace an OM60X serp belt in about five minutes, but change the belts on an OM617 and you're looking at an hour at best...if you don't break a bolt. Injection timing has a similar time disparity. I feel the same about the early VW IDI diesels, which were solid runners, but once you begin servicing the later models going back just sucks.
I sent this to a young friend who just was given a one owner W116 300SD with all the paperwork etc. i told him he needs to follow you. Tagged him in this post.
One of the main reasons Merc diesels are so durable as well as those mentioned is because they are relatively unstressed. 88bhp from a 3 litre NA or 125bhp from the turbo. Peugeot/Citroen were getting 120bhp from their intercooled 2.5 four pot in the mid 80's. The CX DTR turbo 2 was a 120mph car. Checkout the story of the six wheeled Loadrunner CX's that were used to transport newspapers through France built by Tissier. Merc still make a good diesel engine, it is the complexity of the emissions and electronics that hamper them. Thing is they will now outperform a petrol so you have to take the rough with the smooth. I had an s211 E270cdi manual with the OM647 at 225000 miles still running perfect. EGR, long drain oil and crap coolant along with not warming and cooling the engine before/after hard use is what kills a diesel. EGR... lets filter the intake air and then let the engine breathe unfiltered exhaust gas 🤔
Our 1977 Peugeot 504 was several thousand less money than a 240D. Terrific car for a few years. Also drove an Eldorado Diesel and a 524td 524td was a great performer, a step better than a 300D Turbo
My father also owned a Eldorado diesel pre DX block. The next car he owned was a 300D Turbo and the rest is history. No more GM cars in our household and the reason I became a Mercedes fan.
Among the reasons for the overall quality and durality of the Mercedes Diesels, my Grandfather, (mechanic, old-school) counted also the fact that several materials and principles were taken over from their Diesel Trucks.
Bosch has a factory here in Craven Country, NC and all the Germans that live here drive VW diesels. They loved them until the fuel prices went stupid earlier this year. 🙃
Daily driving an OM-646 Diesel CLK-220 CDi and I love that engine, fast and has loads of low down torque with amazing fuel economy, too bad it uses a 5-speed auto instead of the 7-speed reserved for the CLK-320 CDi. My spare is a OM-601 190-D, the 601 is hella slow but built like a tank.
Mercedes-Benz diesel car engines must have come on the back of their diesel truck engines. The 60's, 70's and 80's truck engines were, I think the best auto diesel engines in the world. Once I had seen one of those dismantled in a shop and looking at it with the various parts one could tell the parts oozed quality.
Excellent😂 But, just to mention, VW did 2nd gen. Golf. As I recall it had 55hp diesel engine. In early 80s up to early 90s. The car is indestructable. Could be used as a utility wehicle. Go anywhere do everything car. In my country you can still see them chugging along. Usually in rural areas. My dad had three of them and than he swiched to C class and I miss mine.
Interesting to see the US perspective on luxury diesels when literally 90% of premium sedans and SUVs are In the UK are oil burners, including my C7 A6 allroad
I really find you really funny, and with a fun contend. I love it all. BTW My dream is to have the Mercedes-benz, W126 300 SDL Turbodiesel, from 1987 I love Mercedes. Costing 18K€ in Portugal. Might trade my Seat Leon (Volkswagen engine 1.9TDI) Thanks for making this content for us...
1990s VW/Audi direct injection diesels absolutely crushed it! Yes they used rotary Bosch VE pumps but they were actually very reliable. And fuel economy was in different league compared to prechamber 1980s diesels. Also lower noise, more torque etc. The VW/Audi TDI of 1990s was as revolutionary as 1980s Merc diesels IMO. The best of those engines - Audi Inline 5 TDI wasn't imported in US, however.
@@MrRjnr thanks! Yes, that’s where I’m aiming. I know that after a certain year, reliability gets iffy because the added electronics negates the reliability of a Diesel engine. Also, I joined a Mercedes Benz owners club, lots of knowledge there!
Pierre, I'm looking at a 1970 220 diesel, automatic transmission. Interior is shot but owner claims engine and transmission are good. Should I avoid this model?
I wish I’ve have the good experience you’ve mentioned with my frustrating 2014 MB GL diesel that’s been an F ing multiple nightmares ever since I made the mistake of buying it. You mentioned the good fuel injectors MB put in their engines well I’ve had all 6 of them replaced before 100k miles not to mention all the over hair graying problems with the turbo charger and other God forsaking problems and constant oil & fuel leaks. This all happened to an owner that is diligent about all the recommended tune ups & earlier than recommended oil changes that are only serviced at a MB dealerships service departments Long story short stay the F far away from any and all diesel cars or trucks
Diesels are much much more popular in Europe and the UK, there's tonnes of old W124, W124 Mercedes diesels running around but even some of the newish ones also W210, W211 with astronomical mileage on them
We tried for the longest time as kids ,to get my buddies 84 diesel ranger to at least hit 85 on the stupid is 85mph speedo. Even a late night run down the biggest longest hill around netted 83 indicated. She was screaming! Yep ,bummer ,never pegged it. Not sure if it woulda done it off a cliff 🤣 That thing was about bulletproof.
Sounds like Mercedes know to design and build diesels and the rest are just spinning their wheels. I would like to say that the manufacturers like Cummins and other commercial vehicles used for construction or public transportation (including ships and trains) are also generally more reliable than auto industry products for passenger sedans.
Because they are German, thus engineered by people that love machines. On another note can you think of any human who has his name displayed in more places than Rudolph Diesel? Gas pumps, fuel doors, trunk decks, think about it.
Sadly soon all combustion cars and trucks including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Car washs will be forbidden too because they are climate killers, now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime.!!!
Om606 would change your mind... I have one in my dodge truck turned up to 600 hp I pull car trailer with 5 cars on it up and over the rocky mountains ⛰ 😅 and milage is impressive
@@zenjamin6262 you have an om606 in your dodge truck? Or you are saying you have a cummins and you are suggesting to the other commenter an om606 would change his mind? I was about to say…..you installed an om606 in your dodge to tow that much ?? Haha.
Daily driving my 190 2.5D manual for more than 25 years. Never any issues, no leaks
I have a 5-speed manual 190D 2.0 in Germany and I am considering importing here. It has no rust, and I just don't think I can get a more reliable ride for the import costs.
I had a 1993 AAZ Passat and a few TDI Golf's that I absolutely loved. I can't wait to finally get my first MB diesel!
I had a BMW 524td, I personally put 300 k on it. I drove the heck out of it. Replaced 4 timing belts, water pump, several batteries and 3 alternators.
You are spot on Pierre.
Mercedes set the template with diesel engine production. Other manufacturers tried to emulate, and couldn't.
My 300d is an absolute tank. 1977. I mean it’s a pain to get parts for. But it’s runs around town like a modern car
84SD 250k
617, 3.07:1 axle, 26-28mpgs consistent.
Car lives at 29-3200rpm at 65-80mph respectively.
Best car I have ever owned.
Also cool how you were able to recall just about all the early car diesels out there. Take care friend👊👊👊
Rare Classic Cars is an amazing channel - thank you for shouting Adam out. Love you, man.
My '81 240D agrees with everything you said.
My 80 240d manual does too, and it doesn't mind I grew up on mk1 vw diesels.
My dad is daily driving a 1998 e300TD and is running great!
I bought a 2001 E320cdi when it had 300 000km on the clock. Never had an issue with the car (except one time when a mechanic left the bolts on the high pressure fuel pump loose after service). If I hadn't done the pre-emptive maintenance on the gaskets, I probably wouldn't have had any issues with it. Finally traded the car for a new Touran as my wife absolutely had to have a new car (that she could then abuse). Worst move ever.
Those MFI Peugeot cars were very durable and easy to maintain. Glad you included them even if it was very near the end of your list…
You could get some of those engines in Citroën’s, once Peugeot bought the company.
This was a fun video! I was waiting, yelling at the TV for you to mention the Lincoln diesel from the BMW 524. Loved the nod to the 6bt Cummins and difference in VE/P7100 pumps. Keep up the great work.
We owned a 1981 Cadillac with a deisel, we ended up changing it out with a 350 rocket from an olds. It ran great and ran forever, of course there was a little smoke out the exhaust because that olds motor had issues with the piston rings but it was very little and ran like a champ.
I had the 81 Cadillac Eldorado Diesel. What a nightmare.
Excellent topic as always Pierre! Time is truly the ultimate judge of quality and durability.
2:24 yes I remember alot of those diesels.
Funny about the ranger ,a buddy had an 84 model and a new kid in school had the Mazda with the diesel.
Dead even in a race, it came down to who could shift better.
Of course you couldn't even tell they were racing 🤣🤣
...the 200Tdi in the early 90's Landrover Defender/Discovery (developed by Peugeot) was a fantastic 4 cylinder workhorse ...I had an ex-Camel Trophy Defender LHD for 9 years ...and I really love my battered 1985 Mercedes 300d
On our farm...240D AND 300D Euro spec, being in South Africa. Our daily drivers and albeit slow...reliable and cheap to run...especially with the Biodiesel option now that our useless government burns all the diesel in turbines to keep our lights on and raises diesel price to fund that. Thanks for your views Pierre. Enjoying your channel!
Love my 95 E300 D. The naturally aspirated OM606 is just an engineering jewel. Love that car.
I love my diesel Mercedes. I also loved my VW 1.6TD powered 1982 Audi 4000.
I remember as a kid our book keeper pulling into our circle drive one evening in her mercedes diesel- lasting impression beautiful car and that engine noise haha. Helped she was a beautiful german woman as well
I love Mercedes diesels, and have owned and serviced a lot of them. I currently own a '90 300D with an OM602.96 and an '87 300TD with an OM606.96. But I also own an '89 VW Vanagon with an ALH TDI, and an '04 Passat with a BHW TDI. I like diesels. But, I also despise working on the OM61X series of iron head diesels simply because they're a regular PITA to do basic things like change the belts or do an injection timing service. I can replace an OM60X serp belt in about five minutes, but change the belts on an OM617 and you're looking at an hour at best...if you don't break a bolt. Injection timing has a similar time disparity. I feel the same about the early VW IDI diesels, which were solid runners, but once you begin servicing the later models going back just sucks.
I sent this to a young friend who just was given a one owner W116 300SD with all the paperwork etc. i told him he needs to follow you. Tagged him in this post.
One of the main reasons Merc diesels are so durable as well as those mentioned is because they are relatively unstressed. 88bhp from a 3 litre NA or 125bhp from the turbo. Peugeot/Citroen were getting 120bhp from their intercooled 2.5 four pot in the mid 80's. The CX DTR turbo 2 was a 120mph car. Checkout the story of the six wheeled Loadrunner CX's that were used to transport newspapers through France built by Tissier.
Merc still make a good diesel engine, it is the complexity of the emissions and electronics that hamper them. Thing is they will now outperform a petrol so you have to take the rough with the smooth. I had an s211 E270cdi manual with the OM647 at 225000 miles still running perfect. EGR, long drain oil and crap coolant along with not warming and cooling the engine before/after hard use is what kills a diesel. EGR... lets filter the intake air and then let the engine breathe unfiltered exhaust gas 🤔
Always learn something new when I check in with this channel. Thanks
Great video as always. I daily drive 80s diesel all the time. Love them!
Mine is an OM606 in a 1995 W-124 sedan.
Our 1977 Peugeot 504 was several thousand less money than a 240D.
Terrific car for a few years.
Also drove an Eldorado Diesel and a 524td
524td was a great performer, a step better than a 300D Turbo
524TD was a fastest mass produced diesel sedan in 1985.
@@vintage76vipergreenBeetle In 1986 the w124 300D Turbo came out. It was considerbly faster than the 524td. 147hp vs 115hp.
Only if you refer to a w123 in that case.. maybe. Since the w123 might be heavier.. But it had 10 more hp.
@@martinsvensson6884 I got the year wrong.
My father also owned a Eldorado diesel pre DX block. The next car he owned was a 300D Turbo and the rest is history. No more GM cars in our household and the reason I became a Mercedes fan.
Hi Pierre-
I still drive a 300SD - frm 1985- appx 320k Miles-
Runs great - have after-mrkt- K/N like performance air Filter installed 😊
My 1988 Mitsubishi l200 2.0 Diesel truck is still alive and kicking 36 years later.
The 1985/86 Lincoln Mark 7, used the same BMW 524TD powertrain. The 2.4 vw blocks were all the same. The heads were a little different.
Among the reasons for the overall quality and durality of the Mercedes Diesels, my Grandfather, (mechanic, old-school) counted also the fact that several materials and principles were taken over from their Diesel Trucks.
Wow you really know your early diesels!
Thanks Pierre! Great information!!!
Bosch has a factory here in Craven Country, NC and all the Germans that live here drive VW diesels. They loved them until the fuel prices went stupid earlier this year. 🙃
What do they make at the Bosch factory there?
@@technicalitems731 Appliances
@@timfetner8029 😂😂😂
Daily driving an OM-646 Diesel CLK-220 CDi and I love that engine, fast and has loads of low down torque with amazing fuel economy,
too bad it uses a 5-speed auto instead of the 7-speed reserved for the CLK-320 CDi.
My spare is a OM-601 190-D, the 601 is hella slow but built like a tank.
I tirelessly canvas UA-cam looking for content this good. It's so rare. Thank you so much 🙏💯💯💯
Mercedes-Benz diesel car engines must have come on the back of their diesel truck engines. The 60's, 70's and 80's truck engines were, I think the best auto diesel engines in the world. Once I had seen one of those dismantled in a shop and looking at it with the various parts one could tell the parts oozed quality.
Great topic. Could you do a vid on the M110 which is 50 this year?
"Force Motors" in India produces engines for Mercedes since 1997 till date. Force motors also makes engines for BMW, Rolls Royce.
love the video
Excellent😂
But, just to mention, VW did 2nd gen. Golf. As I recall it had 55hp diesel engine. In early 80s up to early 90s. The car is indestructable. Could be used as a utility wehicle. Go anywhere do everything car. In my country you can still see them chugging along. Usually in rural areas. My dad had three of them and than he swiched to C class and I miss mine.
Yeah! Right on Pieree
Interesting to see the US perspective on luxury diesels when literally 90% of premium sedans and SUVs are In the UK are oil burners, including my C7 A6 allroad
I am planning to buy first time old Mercedes Benz diesel car which model should I buy
I really find you really funny, and with a fun contend. I love it all. BTW My dream is to have the Mercedes-benz, W126 300 SDL Turbodiesel, from 1987 I love Mercedes. Costing 18K€ in Portugal. Might trade my Seat Leon (Volkswagen engine 1.9TDI) Thanks for making this content for us...
I love my 1967 200D!
My OM616 is 44 years old and apart from oil and filter change and valve adjustment nothimg else been done at 450,000 kms...
Top Guy Pierre
1990s VW/Audi direct injection diesels absolutely crushed it! Yes they used rotary Bosch VE pumps but they were actually very reliable. And fuel economy was in different league compared to prechamber 1980s diesels. Also lower noise, more torque etc. The VW/Audi TDI of 1990s was as revolutionary as 1980s Merc diesels IMO. The best of those engines - Audi Inline 5 TDI wasn't imported in US, however.
Love these UA-cam videos.
I want a Mercedes diesel. 1983 or older… anyone have a specific model that’s particularly bulletproof?
1978+ 300D or SD
@@MrRjnr thanks!
Yes, that’s where I’m aiming. I know that after a certain year, reliability gets iffy because the added electronics negates the reliability of a Diesel engine.
Also, I joined a Mercedes Benz owners club, lots of knowledge there!
OM 602 in 300D 2.5 Turbo seems to be quite robust.
Pierre, I'm looking at a 1970 220 diesel, automatic transmission. Interior is shot but owner claims engine and transmission are good. Should I avoid this model?
i love your view points and advice - even if you don't wear a lab coat - i find it credible
I wish I’ve have the good experience you’ve mentioned with my frustrating 2014 MB GL diesel that’s been an F ing multiple nightmares ever since I made the mistake of buying it. You mentioned the good fuel injectors MB put in their engines well I’ve had all 6 of them replaced before 100k miles not to mention all the over hair graying problems with the turbo charger and other God forsaking problems and constant oil & fuel leaks. This all happened to an owner that is diligent about all the recommended tune ups & earlier than recommended oil changes that are only serviced at a MB dealerships service departments
Long story short stay the F far away from any and all diesel cars or trucks
I have a Mercedes OM603. But, you didn’t mention Cummins engines.
VW diesels are superb. I know, I'm driving one, it has only 340,000 mi on it, original head gasket.
What year? I need to buy me one. Thanks.
@@jonweaver2410 2009,
dpf and cat "fell off," mild tune.
Diesels are much much more popular in Europe and the UK, there's tonnes of old W124, W124 Mercedes diesels running around but even some of the newish ones also W210, W211 with astronomical mileage on them
When looking for a keeper car ,merc diesel was the winner
I thought BMW 524TD are the "World" fastest TurboDiesel in the mid '80's. Trust you'll like '84 Toyota Camry TurboDiesel Sedan. Thanks.
I think my '83 Ranger Diesel is more reliable than my '83 240D, but it's waaay slower
We tried for the longest time as kids ,to get my buddies 84 diesel ranger to at least hit 85 on the stupid is 85mph speedo.
Even a late night run down the biggest longest hill around netted 83 indicated.
She was screaming!
Yep ,bummer ,never pegged it.
Not sure if it woulda done it off a cliff 🤣
That thing was about bulletproof.
Both benz and bmw diesel engines 0M616 were made by indian Force motors 😁
We had a 1968 220D. What a great car!!!
A few years later, Dad brought home a 1978 Olds Cutlass diesel. What a piece if shit!!!
Sounds like Mercedes know to design and build diesels and the rest are just spinning their wheels. I would like to say that the manufacturers like Cummins and other commercial vehicles used for construction or public transportation (including ships and trains) are also generally more reliable than auto industry products for passenger sedans.
I had a Cadillac Eldorado diesel. What a complete disaster. I’ll keep my 240d
You poor soul, I know all about them.
Yes ,keep the Mercedes!
om647 the last good diesel
19seventy9 had peagot Barf
Pierre
Because they are German, thus engineered by people that love machines. On another note can you think of any human who has his name displayed in more places than Rudolph Diesel? Gas pumps, fuel doors, trunk decks, think about it.
I'm rooting for Rudolph Diesel all the Way! Pioneer in Diesel.
Toyota is as good
Sadly soon all combustion cars and trucks including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-(
In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025
on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Car washs will be forbidden too because they are climate killers, now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime.!!!
Vote them out at every opportunity. Lets not be apathetic!
Diesels are awful in general. Old Mercedes are the only good ones, but that just makes them tolerable in my book. I always go for gasoline.
Om606 would change your mind... I have one in my dodge truck turned up to 600 hp I pull car trailer with 5 cars on it up and over the rocky mountains ⛰ 😅 and milage is impressive
diesel has always been more expensive where I live so that has kept me away
@@jd-py5nm 30 to 40 mpg helps solve that problem
@@zenjamin6262 you have an om606 in your dodge truck? Or you are saying you have a cummins and you are suggesting to the other commenter an om606 would change his mind? I was about to say…..you installed an om606 in your dodge to tow that much ?? Haha.
Same here. Never owned a diesel. The agricultural noise coming from under the hood has always put me off.