To diesel or not to diesel

[Maycott]

Hello all

I was referred here by GregE240, and I hope that your opinions and information will be able to help me with my dilemma.

I am looking for a reliable car with which to cover around 25,000 miles per year. I need something economical, mostly motorway mileage.

My plan is to spend around £5,000 and run something for up to two years before changing it.

I have always liked Mercedes and I am considering the following:

- C220 CDi. Probably a M/N reg car with around 90-100K miles
- E250td saloon or estate probably a K/L reg car with similar miles
- E300td salon or estate as above

Absolute fuel economy is not the whole story, I am interested in the whole life running costs as much as the car's ability to do the job i.e. comfortable, safe and long lived

The car will be for use during the week only as the rest of the fleet take care of weekends with the family and fun times!

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

Stephen

 

[fuzzer]

Originally posted by Maycott
Hello all

I was referred here by GregE240, and I hope that your opinions and information will be able to help me with my dilemma.

I am looking for a reliable car with which to cover around 25,000 miles per year. I need something economical, mostly motorway mileage.

My plan is to spend around £5,000 and run something for up to two years before changing it.

I have always liked Mercedes and I am considering the following:

- C220 CDi. Probably a M/N reg car with around 90-100K miles
- E250td saloon or estate probably a K/L reg car with similar miles
- E300td salon or estate as above

Absolute fuel economy is not the whole story, I am interested in the whole life running costs as much as the car's ability to do the job i.e. comfortable, safe and long lived

The car will be for use during the week only as the rest of the fleet take care of weekends with the family and fun times!

Any thoughts?

Thanks in advance

Stephen

For that kind of money you will not get a C220 CDI. The m/n Car you refer to is a C220 Diesel which has no turbocharger as does the C250 Diesel . The 220 CDI engine did not get used in the C class W202 untill 1999. There was however a C250 turbodiesel which is a 5Cyl Turbo which came out around 1996 and was used right up until 1999 when it was replaced by the 220 CDI .

The E250 is also a Diesel without a turbocharger and the T would refer to an estate which i don't think was avalible in the E class W124 and definetly was not avalible in the two headlight shape W210.

The E300 is again a Diesel without a turbo and you would have to move up to a 97/p to get the turbo on it which will more than likely be out your budget so again you will be looking for an older shape E class W124 .


Here is a W124 :

Here is a W202 :

( Pluggers Lovely C200 hope you don't mine me linking )
And finally W210

( Dieselmans Lovely E300 Turbodiesel hope you don't mine me linking )

 

[Maycott]

Hi Jason

Thats really useful information, thankyou.

I didn't realise that the first C class 220's were non-turbo diesels.

I really like the W124 cars, especially the estate. Whats the fuel economy / driving experience like on a 300 diesel one of those?

 

[andy_k]

looking at the W124 estates I'll speak up for the petrol versions.

We've got a 230TE which gives more than adequate performance and cruises effortlessly at (ahem) 70mph (ish). It's never going to beat the boy racers at the traffic lights but on the other hand it's no slouch.

Economy - driving sensibly and keeping it well serviced averages out at just under 30 mpg. Motorway driving returns the best part of 35 mpg with 2 adults, 2 kids, dog etc on board.

Longevity - ours has covered 215,000 miles and still runs great using virtually no oil - about 1/4 ltr between changes (6k miles) and no water.

Runing costs - aside from scheduled maintainance/servicing it's cost us a couple of bulbs in the last 12 months.

If you are thinking of buying a W124 estate I did a checklist for a friend - if you'd like a copy then let me know.

Personally I think they are great cars and if they are well looked after will last a very very long time

Andy

 

[Maycott]

Andy

I'd love to see that checklist, please forward it to me

Thanks
S

 

[Dieselman]

I personally love the W124 E300 diesel. It's the same motor as later cars but as said previously no turbo.
Performance will be strong but not racey and economy should be mid thirties. If you don't mind a manual gearbox this will sharpen performance noticibly.
It is possible to add a turbo but the cost of a new add on kit is prohibitve.

Treated something like properly these cars go for about a million miles...seriously.

 

[Maycott]

Hi Dieselman

Sounds like you know your stuff on these cars. What is the level of refinement like? Will the car be quiet and pleasant on the motorway?

Also, can I expect any better than mid thirties to the gallon with motorway use?

Thanks

 

[hirbod]

I use a W124 mainly for travelling to work everyday on the motorways and if driven sensibly, they will return high 30s.

 

[Dieselman]

I've got a 300 Turbo so not quite the same but the basic engine is. They are quiet and refined and sound gorgeous when given some stick, as it's a straight six 24 valve jobbie.

No known problems other than glow plugs going, which are cheap enough but live under the inlet manifold. First time a couple of hours job, after that 40 minutes.

Change the oil and antifreeze at regular intervals and it will go and go and go.

Honestly I don't think you can go wrong with one of these motors.