rthomas said:
if i can find a wagon thats in good shape but simple- limited power power options i think she'd be happy with that. if it doesnt have a/c, pdl,or pw that would be ideal.
Unfortunately, those options are mutually-inclusive. M-B's had very few "options" in the traditional sense (the 240D is an exception to this; see below). Power door locks (actually operated by vacuum, and these were actually standard equipment on ALL cars), power windows (these are electric
), and air conditioning/automatic climate control were standard equipment on U.S. spec 300D's and 300TD's.
Real quick rundown on the models, since I don't think anyone else has really mentioned this in this thread, and it can get a bit confusing. Also take a look at the picture below, so you can match up the weird "W" numbers with the car type. These numbers are chassis numbers that M-B used. The W115 was sold in the U.S. up to 1976. The W123 was sold in the U.S. from 1977 until 1985. The W116 was sold in the U.S. with a diesel between '78 and '80, with the W126 being sold between 1981 and 1991 (but IMHO you should stick to '85 and older for various reasons mentioned below).
240D - Midsize sedan (predecessor to the modern-day E-class) with a 2.4l 4 cylinder n/a diesel. You could choose between a 4 speed manual and a 4 speed automatic transmission, and power windows, a/c, and sunroof (either manual or power) were options. This car was available from 1977 to 1983 in the 123 chassis, and for however many years in the 115 chassis.
300D - Same midsize sedan as the 240D, but with a 3.0l 5 cylinder diesel. '75 through '81 were naturally aspirated, with turbocharged 5 cylinders replacing the n/a engine betwen either late '81 or the beginning of '82 until '85. U.S. models were only available with an auto, but some Euro models with 4 speed manuals (or even 5 speeds, but these are rare as hens' teeth) made their way over here. A/C and the automatic climate control
were standard, as were power windows and a power sunroof. '75 and '76 300D's are 115 chassis; '77-'85 300D's are 123's.
300TD - Same as the 300D, except being a wagon body. 300TD wagons also got a hydraulic self-leveling suspension that works really well, but gets real expensive to repair when things break. The "T" stands for "Touring", not "Turbo"
Wagons, due to lower sales, are in more demand and thus generally cost more, especially if equipped with the third-row seat. I think they started offering the TD wagon in '78 or '79, and it was available up to the end of the 123 production run in '85.
300CD - Same as the W123 300D, except being a coupe body. Again, only available as a 123. These cars are rare finds.
300SD - Same general specifications as the 300D, except that ALL 300SD's have turbo 5 cyl's. Also, the 300SD is the full-size sedan (predecessor to the modern S-class), so you get a bit extra weight and a lot more room, along with miscellaneous luxury goodies. Things are also a bit more complex. '78 through '80 300SD's are on the 116 chassis; '81-'85 cars were on the 126 chassis. If you look at a 116 chassis,
WATCH OUT FOR RUST!!! Even more so than the other M-B's, tinworms have a special affinity for the 116 chassis for whatever reason.
1985 was the last year for the cast-iron "million-mile" diesels. Diesels were offered in later model year cars (most notable 1987), but while these engines have more power and are more efficient, they do have an aluminum head on a cast-iron block, and are prone to head warpage if the head's original. The W126 was available in '90 and '91 as a 350SD, with a 3.5l inline-6. Many of these engines left the factory with defective conrods, and they would make the piston move and ultimately oval out the cylinder, junking the entire block.
I think that's about it...although I'm so dead-tired (one more paper to write!!!) that I may have missed something.
Hope this helps some, or at the very least doesn't confuse you more...good luck!!! BTW, my daily driver is an '85 300D that just turned over 270K miles. The interior's thrashed, the front suspension needs to be rebuilt, and the body's seen better days, but the drivetrain still works as though the car just rolled off the showroom floor. I want to get a TDI when $$ allows, but this car has been the most economical vehicle (from a fuel and maintenance standpoint) that I've ever owned, and while she's showing her age, she still makes a good college-commuter car. I would recommend a diesel M-B to anyone who wants an economical car...