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- I am looking for a safe and reliable station wagon for my wife to drive the kids
(3) around. My neighbor who has an '85 300td tells me that I should get a Mercedes
wagon, especially a diesel. Can you tell me about the advantages of the diesel over
the gasoline engine? Rear wheel drive in snow and ice ? and anything else that you think
is important.
Thanks
Felix
- There is a lot to say about all the different possibilities of Mercedes available
today. The Mercedes wagon is one of my favorite cars. Depending on where you live the 1985
and older wagons are now rusting away. All wagons were diesels made for the U.S. between
1977 and 1985. Any wagon that has a gas engine in those years would be a European model
and you had better stay away from those. There are some wagons that are still in great
shape from the 80's but finding the right one could be a challenge. Most diesel wagons
from the 80's develop some problems with blow by in the crank case and begin leaking oil.
This doesn't bother me too much as long as they run smooth and start without missing and
smoking too much. If you live in the northern climates the pre '86 diesels will have a
hard time starting in temperatures below 15 F. In 1986 the diesel engine was introduced
with a six cyl. engine and they really do start in any temperature. However the six
cyl.
diesel engine head WILL crack in an exhaust port and will become non repairable at some
point. There are no used heads, but new stripped heads are available from Mercedes Benz for
around 1800.00. They six cyl diesel also bends the rods because of the injection pump. You
will then need a new pump, injectors, and new rods, about 4000.00 should cover that. I do
not want to seem pessimistic but I work on them all day long day after day. In the late
80's through today the ideal wagon is the inline six cyl. 103 engine, better known as the
300TE. Almost all models from 1988 on are good cars. The six cylinder engine with Mercedes
coolant will rot the head gaskets so you should change the coolant to green and before you
buy a gas Mercedes check for oil in the coolant. It will look like chocolate moose.
All the wagons handle fine in the winter. The 4-matic wagon is very
nice but the occasional transfer case or front drive shaft rubbers can be expensive. I
have owned one of just all the models since 1966 but they all have there quirks. Make sure
you get maintenance books or records with a least one oil change per year. If the guy
doesn't have books and the car has only 50,000 miles, chances are the odometer has been
set back. I hope I have shed some light on the subject. I would absolutely have my family
in a Mercedes, not for good looks but for safety. Thanks for the email. Hope to hear what
kind you get. JON
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