Agreed these are “a whole ‘nother level.” We have a 300SD, an ‘86 300SDL with the 603 engine, a ‘99 E300 Turbodiesel, and a ‘95 S420. But nothing beats the 300SD with that OM617. When I’m ready to take on another, I hope to do business with you.
I gave this vid a thumbs up. When I was a kid during those years, my parents had both of them, a total of 3 1983-4 300D Turbos, not all at once, and an '83 300SD. Between the 2 cars, I strongly feel that one could go either way. The W123 300D Turbo, is more spartan and not as nice as the S-Class 300SD but did have a little bit more acceleration because it was still lighter, also had a longer stride final drive ratio of a 3.07, 2.88 in 1985, while the heavier 300SD had a 3.46, as did the W123 300D before it got turbocharged. They both cruise the same at 75-80 mph. No way 300D couldn't if an SD could. And I would actually drive that fast in a 1984 300D turbodiesel. The 300D (W123) is the one of the 2 that I'd chose to go with, especially if it's cheaper to maintain like the person 2 comments down from me said it is. They're both light years better at keeping up with the traffic speeds than my '83 240D w/ stick-shift and a 3.69 final drive ratio. The fastest I 've been driving in my 240D has been 70, which in my opinion is still plenty fast for a normal cruise speed. But that's only where it's posted that high. It ain't being taken anywhere with higher speed limits than 70. I'm cutting back drastically now on driving it since now it blows smoke on a cold start that appears blueish in color and that goes away within the 1st half mile of driving it. And replacing the valve stem seals didn't even fix that except maybe temporarily for the 1st few miles after. So now I'm seriously wondering if I'm actually gonna learn that just because the motor still has excellent compression as well as consuming little to no oil doesn't mean the engine would still have lots of life left in it. So therefore, I'm planning for the worst and looking for a possible replacement for the car, like a 300D that's high miles and living up to the motor's reputation or an early 2000s 3.0L V6 Jaguar S-Type. I'd become a Jag Man for the late '90s & early 2000s. Whatever those Jags would lack in speed & acceleration compared to a similarly equipped Mercedes or BMW, it would make up for in something else.
Yes, a 240D is something that can trundle about in city traffic. But on a motor way, and especially if u hit a hill of any gradient, it is, for me, just hopeless. I agree with John that a W126 is grander, but the size puts me off. So v v huge! I think if one has a W126 you need a driver! Otherwise I feel a it silly!! :-)
A 300D will be less expensive to maintain, but the SD is most certainly a classier, sexier, nicer ride. The w123’s are actually quite spartan in comparison. I am almost daily driving my 500 SEC at this point. Miss my SDL. Wish I had the bread to buy this SD!! What a sensational animal. The only weakness with the diesels is how high they rev on the highway. I find they are best enjoyed as around town vehicles.
I think this is a personal preference. I personally think the diesels are superior on the highway. Especially the SD. I just drove a w123 from Oregon to Los Angeles and it was outstanding. Again, all personal preferences. I personally can't stand the gas cars.
@@woodsandbarclayMy 350 SDL is the most comfortable car I have owned. Like I said, I deeply regret selling it. However, at 85 mph I’d rather be in a w126 V8. :-)
Yeah the motor in this car is outstanding, as it is in just about every single 300 SD or 300D that I've ever driven. Regarding the glass.... the thickness would be something that was regulated by the DOT so I am sure they all have a similar thickness.
If you don't want to hear the creaks from the door panels, put grease on the door sils where they meet the door panels. Did that on mine and my interior has no creaks or rattles.
Oil pressure is a vital in an engine. No oil pressure, engine goes boom. It indicates health to a degree, and if you monitor oil pressure, you can probably catch something like a severe oil leak and save the engine.
Hello guys. Is handling of 230e (2,3 L petrol engine) better than of 300td (om617 diesel) due to lighter front ? Is there a difference in handling due to 100kg weight difference?
No. I seriously doubt 100kg weight difference is going to be noticeable. Keep in mind Mercedes also had different spring rates for different model cars so I'm sure the diesels had a slightly stiffer spring to make up for this.
Hi, I have a 230E and a 300D, non turbo. The "handling" is pretty similar, I think, but of course with the 300D non-turbo one is not going very fast. Oh, actually, in a 230E one isn't going v fast dither! But obviously the 230E is livelier than a 300D non turbo. As for a 240D well...just not viable, really. So dreadfully sluggish.
@@timjones143 Thank you. I know that w123 has very informative steering and is pleasant to drive. I am looking for a weekend car for pleasure. I am thinking between 300d turbodiesel and 230e. Is 230e livelier when turning?
@@landsky5925 Hi. I have never driven a 300D turbo. I suspect John, who has and who probably has driven a 230E, can answer. I can certainly say that a 230E is livelier than a 300D non turbo. On the petrol/gas W123's, my personal preference is for the 230E or the earlier 230 carb. The 280E is a noisy, high revving motor which gives not much better performance than a 230E really.
The W126 S Class was the epitome of luxury motoring in the 1980 s
Amazing cars.
Was? I would suggest it still is!
Agreed these are “a whole ‘nother level.” We have a 300SD, an ‘86 300SDL with the 603 engine, a ‘99 E300 Turbodiesel, and a ‘95 S420. But nothing beats the 300SD with that OM617. When I’m ready to take on another, I hope to do business with you.
Feel free to call me anytime if not to buy a car just to chat about what you're looking for. All the contact info is on the website.
I gave this vid a thumbs up. When I was a kid during those years, my parents had both of them, a total of 3 1983-4 300D Turbos, not all at once, and an '83 300SD. Between the 2 cars, I strongly feel that one could go either way. The W123 300D Turbo, is more spartan and not as nice as the S-Class 300SD but did have a little bit more acceleration because it was still lighter, also had a longer stride final drive ratio of a 3.07, 2.88 in 1985, while the heavier 300SD had a 3.46, as did the W123 300D before it got turbocharged. They both cruise the same at 75-80 mph. No way 300D couldn't if an SD could. And I would actually drive that fast in a 1984 300D turbodiesel. The 300D (W123) is the one of the 2 that I'd chose to go with, especially if it's cheaper to maintain like the person 2 comments down from me said it is. They're both light years better at keeping up with the traffic speeds than my '83 240D w/ stick-shift and a 3.69 final drive ratio. The fastest I 've been driving in my 240D has been 70, which in my opinion is still plenty fast for a normal cruise speed. But that's only where it's posted that high. It ain't being taken anywhere with higher speed limits than 70. I'm cutting back drastically now on driving it since now it blows smoke on a cold start that appears blueish in color and that goes away within the 1st half mile of driving it. And replacing the valve stem seals didn't even fix that except maybe temporarily for the 1st few miles after. So now I'm seriously wondering if I'm actually gonna learn that just because the motor still has excellent compression as well as consuming little to no oil doesn't mean the engine would still have lots of life left in it. So therefore, I'm planning for the worst and looking for a possible replacement for the car, like a 300D that's high miles and living up to the motor's reputation or an early 2000s 3.0L V6 Jaguar S-Type. I'd become a Jag Man for the late '90s & early 2000s. Whatever those Jags would lack in speed & acceleration compared to a similarly equipped Mercedes or BMW, it would make up for in something else.
Feel free to reach out to me contact info is at the beginning of every video. I can help you in your search.
Yes, a 240D is something that can trundle about in city traffic. But on a motor way, and especially if u hit a hill of any gradient, it is, for me, just hopeless. I agree with John that a W126 is grander, but the size puts me off. So v v huge! I think if one has a W126 you need a driver! Otherwise I feel a it silly!! :-)
A 300D will be less expensive to maintain, but the SD is most certainly a classier, sexier, nicer ride. The w123’s are actually quite spartan in comparison. I am almost daily driving my 500 SEC at this point. Miss my SDL. Wish I had the bread to buy this SD!! What a sensational animal.
The only weakness with the diesels is how high they rev on the highway. I find they are best enjoyed as around town vehicles.
I think this is a personal preference. I personally think the diesels are superior on the highway. Especially the SD. I just drove a w123 from Oregon to Los Angeles and it was outstanding. Again, all personal preferences. I personally can't stand the gas cars.
@@woodsandbarclayMy 350 SDL is the most comfortable car I have owned. Like I said, I deeply regret selling it. However, at 85 mph I’d rather be in a w126 V8. :-)
Oops, you misspelled ‘Mercedes’ in the intro.😀
Hahaha oh my God I can't believe I did that
Is the glass thicker in this SD, than in the 123? The motor seemed to pull smoothly.
Yeah the motor in this car is outstanding, as it is in just about every single 300 SD or 300D that I've ever driven. Regarding the glass.... the thickness would be something that was regulated by the DOT so I am sure they all have a similar thickness.
If you don't want to hear the creaks from the door panels, put grease on the door sils where they meet the door panels. Did that on mine and my interior has no creaks or rattles.
Even better is just some soft felt tape. Works perfectly. Solved the problem on my 500 SEC, as well as the 350 SDL that I had (and foolishly sold).
Felt tape kinda looks wierd, so I just used clear grease so that it looks "normal".
Correct solution is to spray a little W40 or silicone on the bottom of the doors. Problem solved.
What is the significance of oil pressure . It’s a very unusual guage on the Benz I have one on my 77 280 E
Oil pressure is a vital in an engine. No oil pressure, engine goes boom. It indicates health to a degree, and if you monitor oil pressure, you can probably catch something like a severe oil leak and save the engine.
Hello guys. Is handling of 230e (2,3 L petrol engine) better than of 300td (om617 diesel) due to lighter front ? Is there a difference in handling due to 100kg weight difference?
No. I seriously doubt 100kg weight difference is going to be noticeable. Keep in mind Mercedes also had different spring rates for different model cars so I'm sure the diesels had a slightly stiffer spring to make up for this.
Hi, I have a 230E and a 300D, non turbo. The "handling" is pretty similar, I think, but of course with the 300D non-turbo one is not going very fast. Oh, actually, in a 230E one isn't going v fast dither! But obviously the 230E is livelier than a 300D non turbo. As for a 240D well...just not viable, really. So dreadfully sluggish.
@@timjones143 Thank you. I know that w123 has very informative steering and is pleasant to drive. I am looking for a weekend car for pleasure. I am thinking between 300d turbodiesel and 230e. Is 230e livelier when turning?
@@landsky5925 Hi. I have never driven a 300D turbo. I suspect John, who has and who probably has driven a 230E, can answer. I can certainly say that a 230E is livelier than a 300D non turbo. On the petrol/gas W123's, my personal preference is for the 230E or the earlier 230 carb. The 280E is a noisy, high revving motor which gives not much better performance than a 230E really.
@@timjones143 Thanks for answer