Is there is downside to buying an older diesel?

Question

I'm beginning to look into buying an older Mercedes (late 70s, early 80s) because I want to use biodiesel fuel. I like the price of the older vehicles and I know that they can get upwards of 300,000-400,000 miles (the vehicle I'm looking at has 188,000 miles). I live in an area where biodiesel is plentiful.

I'm just beginning my research and am going to be very thorough in considering every aspect. I was just curious if there's any drawbacks that I should be thinking about right off the bat. I know diesels are expensive to repair and don't start in cold weather (which can be dealt with easy enough). Anything else I should be thinking about?

Answer 1

a diesel is an awesome choice. They're fuel misers from the word go, the run forever, and actually are easier to maintain. The downsides are that most of them will leak a little.....they have higher compression than a gas engine and the head gaskets loosen up a little after a while..but it's normal. True, they can be cantankorous to start in the winter, but just make sure that you have either around if it doesn't have glow plugs, and if it has glow plugs and they're functioning properly, then you should have much trouble starting it..but plug it in if it gets around 0 F. The other thing you can expect is the smell of diesel on your floor mats...face it, diesel is an 'oil'..and any spilled at the service station doesn't evaporate like gas will..and in turn it will get on the bottoms of your shoes, which in turn will get to your floor mats. Rubber floormats are recommended. In colder climates...or colder times of year(below freezing) you can run into a problem known as 'gelling'. Diesel fuel likes to solidify in freezing temps, and unless you have 'blended' (a mixture of #1 and #2 diesel) in these climates, you should make sure that you have some kind of anti-gell. This is sold at most service stations or auto stores. There are also products that will re-liquiefy gelled fuel. If you do end up gelling up it's a great idea to have an extra fuel filter with...because then you can dump some of the treatment in the tank, fill the spare filter with the anti-gel, and be back on the road in 5-10 minutes.

Answer 2

I had a Mercedes 300 Turbo Diesel, 1985. I bought it with 198,000 miles on it, put another 168,000 on it before i found out the odameter sometimes would get stuck on the last 10th of a mile digit when it hit the number "9" so it wouldn't turn! don't know how long it was doing this before I discovered and had it fixed! My point is, don't know how many miles it had on it when I sold it to another Diesel guy but it showed over 367,000. It still ran like a champ. Last I heard a couple of years ago, the car had 623,000 miles without an overhaul! Your problem with an older Mecedes is not going to be the engine, it is likely to be the airconditioning compressor (expensive), central vacuum door locks, cruise control (expensive); window relays and things like that. Remember the engine is bullet proof but the rest of the car is going to "give" and when it does it is still a mercedes to fix! As to biodiesel fuel, although I totally support and admire you for your effort in saving the environment, but I don't beleive these older diesels could run on the newly developed and advertised, low-sulfur diesel fuels. I know that at least 5 states including CA and NY have tougher laws in 2007 which preclude sales of NEW diesel cars such as the mercedes diesels (called Bluetech diesels)or the BMW's sweet 330 TDs. Bummer for me. Good luck to you. If you get one though, make sure it is the Turbo Diesel cause the lack of power going from a gas engine to a diesel would kill you otherwise. Oh, and if you can still find the stuff, use a couple of TRIBOTECH oil additives when you get your first oil change. I swear by them. It quiets the turbo bearings and adds power by reducing internal friction. good luck.

Answer 3

For starters, EPA regulations are getting more strict, and if you live in a place with higher emission standards, keeping your vehicle running cleaner is going to be a hassle. You may end up paying a LOT more to register your car every year. Biodiesel, like the petroleum-based diesel, has a higher amount of particulate (soot) in its exhaust than gasoline, so while the fuel is more environmentally sound to produce, its emissions may not be so green. The EPA is putting tighter controls on older diesels, so while the older ones are cheaper, they will have to be phased out, and the newer ones will be better. Several truck companies recieved gluts of orders for older engine designs because they are cheaper to purchase and maintain than the newer, EPA-compliant engines. Newer diesel engines are much cleaner burning, so are a better option.

Answer 4

i own a shop,and you already know the good and bads about them,,as far as buying an older one,,you have to watch out,they may not have taken good care of it,,and you could be looking at an over haul pretty soon on it,,other than that there alright especially the Mercedes they, out last all the other ones anyway,,but it wouldn't be a bad investment,,it might cost you a little to keep it up,but you,ll probably save that in fuel,,or more,good luck hope this help,s.

Answer 5

I would check the compression on the cylinders as this will give you and indication of cylinder wear and condition. I would also want to check the injector pump. The ease at which a diesel starts is an indication of condition as well, if the glow plugs are in good shape. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

I think the only downside on a 30-year-old Mercedes is going to be the cost of parts. It's going to be incredibly slow, but we don't care, right? You'll need to pack a sandwich to go 0 to 60.