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It´s the OM603 diesel manual without catalyst, turbo, airbags or anything. I think it might be the manual suits my driving style and although its got no power it has torque so can be run around town always under 1500rpm. I´m still surprised at the economy though and reckon 55mpg must be doable...

Probably just a way to price old cars off the road and make everyone buy a new one every 5 years, conveniently ignoring all the energy and resources required to build them and because it helps the economy (read multinational car companies). Over here in Spain anything over 25 years old gets tax...

Hey guys, Bought myself a very cheap ´87 W124 300D manual which i´ve now owned for exactly 6 months. Having not been used for 2 years and not having paperwork things didn´t start off to well...but after new engine mounts, prop shaft couplings, prop shaft bearing, rear diff mounts, 4 new...

An update Hi all, In the end I decided to keep this car because turned out it was only one tie rod that was bad and a loose wheel bearing and the leaking diesl was from a return pipe, not a pump so all clonk and groan free and not leaking anything! After all that (and an oil/filter change)...

Solved...sort of New genuine engine mounts fitted and car is much better to drive. I wouldn´t say perfect and still susceptible to quick lifting off of the accelerator but it´s OK, so thanks for the recommendations on here :) I Would say I´m happy but now what was one tie rod end clonking...

OK, thanks for the reinforcing the point! I have talked to the mechanic and he wants to change one engine mount first although i said just change them both...he will change two if i insist but doesn´t understand why i don´t change one first and see what happens and can always change the other...

Improved but not solved Well i´m 500 quid lighter and have new diff mounts, prop shaft bearing, and donuts at each end. The noises have all gone and the car doesn´t appear to be about to self destruct but there is still a bit of judder. After a helpful 30 minutes chat and test drive the...

Well after much being messed around again found someone who was actually keen to get the car on a ramp and look at things while i waited. Insists the engine and gearbox mounts and clutch, diff and driveshafts are OK, but that every joint/rubber between the diff and gearbox is perished and about...

He´s charged me half an hour for inspecting drivetrain and fitting the fuel filters (and a fuel pipe which was needed as well) which seems reasonable. His hourly rate is 50eur/hour inc VAT so total job would be slightly under 300Euros all in. I think I´m just going to go for it as i don´t...

The filters have been changed but the mechanic said they were enclosed so no way of telling what they were like inside. Got a 400km journey coming up tomorrow to test but I think I´ll just keep fuel over the quarter mark to be safe and see what happens. Hopefully the end of the story...

Found another mechanic to look at it and he showed me under the car and we had a chat. The conclusion was none of the mounts/drivtrain can be guaranteed as they all are old but by looking and testing they all seem fine except the two differential mounts at the rear (one is not centred and the...

Thanks, is the strainer easy to access or right inside the tank?. I´ll have to get a mechanic to do it all, is it a big job? I understand filters should be half an hour or less

Was driving up a twisty steep hill with about an eight a tank of diesel when suddenly felt a few small hesitations at 2k rpm in 3rd/4th gear. Thought it was just my imagination, changed down to second and took it through the rev range pulling fine. Then after the next sharp left bend (still...

Update Well 1,000 miles more and a MOT pass without any advisories, given the car a few tanks of optimum diesel and must say engine is a lot smoother and all the electrics and gauges now work all the time. Returned me nearly 45mpg on a 200 mile run yesterday as well, not too bad for a 28 year...

Doesn´t everything after about 1990 have a catalyst, some 2 or 3 different ones? And assuming it's not faulty or causing problems why would you do anything about it?

Barcelona. Never seen an indie here, just main dealer or many many indpendent family run garages. Tried a few of them before when needed things and not had a problem but getting things taken seriously or diagnosed is not easy. General attitude is "it's an old car with MOT that starts and stops...

Thanks for the ideas, exactly what i was looking for. I already parked the car on a kerb and went underneath it and found the doughnuts looked normal although the whole prop shaft and the doughnuts and whatever the doughnuts are attached to would turn a bit despite the handbrake being on and...

Thanks for the suggestions and information. I'd love to take it to a specialist but they don't exist here and already taken it to two old independent mechanics who should have the best chance of understanding an old car and they haven't been able to find fault with it even though the faults...

OK so been on a few more drives and no new problems...I´ve found on start up and when rocking the car on it´s suspension the engine does not move independently of the car at all. I assume this confirms the engine mounts are gone, and as such possibly some of the judder and the resonance through...

I'm beginning to think that...oh and it wanders/is sensitive to camber angles on the motorway but all my W124s have always done that so i´m used to it. and it also needs a new thermostat, service and two rear tyres have 3mm. In other words fit for the scrap heap? Or just drive it if it...