E300TD reliabilty

[Lord Rowell]

We've had our '99 E300TD auto estate for a few months now my missus is worried about costs if the engine or gearbox needs repairs. Its got 158k on the clock with full history and so far we've had a minor service done and had a new exhaust fitted. I love the car and i think she does, but is scared of high repair bills. I have said that as long as they are looked after and serviced correctly then they will go on for very high mileages.

I hope you can reassure me and back up what i have said! She is also concerned about fuel costs, but our plan is to keep this car for approx 5 years, as we normally change cars every 2 years. Please can you advise me and give the ammunition so that i can convince the missus we should keep the merc! This is our first merc by the way.

 

[Ian B Walker]

Although not a diesel I have an E320 Estate in my yard that has 315,000 miles on the clock. Still starts first turn of the button, no worries. Now your E300TD, give it a chance man. It's not even run in yet. These diesel engines, as long as they are regularly serviced, will run for mega miles. Ask again when you get to 300,000 miles.

 

[vijilants]

Ive owned one of these. The engine will probably way outlast the bodywork

You have to keep the gearbox well maintained, and they eat suspension bushes.

 

[Dieselman]

The 300TD is the most reliable Mercedes made. Just keep up with routine servicing and changing items like gearbox fluid, antifreeze and differential oil and it will go a very long way indeed.

500,000 miles is commonplace for these.
One member has one with 280k miles and another bought one with 400K miles and ran it to 455k miles and sold it.


Arghhhh...
What am I saying.....

I might want a nice E300TD Av. estate.....

They last 100,000 miles at best and are totally worthless even for really nice ones....better sell it while you can still get £500 for it...

 

[tuikku]

The 300TD is the most reliable Mercedes made.

Hmmm......
There might be also some other opinions about that....

 

[nick mercedes]

Hmmm......
There might be also some other opinions about that....

They are very very durable engines.

 

[tuikku]

They are very very durable engines.

Sure
But most.

It was very good engine in time.
Newer engines are surely not less good.

 

[nick mercedes]

Sure
But most.

It was very good engine in time.
Newer engines are surely not less good.

Cdi with stuck injectors?

Cdi with dead high preasure pump?

Cdi with dead fuel rail?

Cdi with one dead injector that has left you at side on motorway?

Cdi with blown turbo?

Cdi with blocked cats?

Etc.

 

[Vlad]

As a long term ownership proposition I would choose a 300TD over a 320CDi everytime, as there is less to go wrong.

Modern high tech diesels seem to be more prone to injector, seal and turbo failure (as mentioned above).

My local MB Indi services an old W124 300D which now has 595,000 on clock (originally a taxi) and in that time the only major things to go wrong were a gearbox at 275,000 and a head gasket at 325,000........she'e a bit battered but still drives OK and gets through its MOT every year.....has very little rust on it!