andrew strasfogel wrote:
All this talk about those new-fangled 124 wagons being the best in the
universe makes me mad! I just love my 1983 300TD with 275 K miles.
It has enough pep to pass almost anyone on the highway, enough room to
carry anything reasonably sized, is as trustworthy as an old hound
dog, and has enough rust to keep me just the slightest bit on edge.
The engines don't break, either (though I've had to do two
transmission rebuilds).
Andrew, I owned 3 different 123 wagons ('80, 82 & '85) and was convinced
they were the ULTIMATE wagon (each was a modest improvement over the
previous model) UNTIL I drove a 124 wagon from Pgh to Washington DC and
back in late '87. I swapped in a minute and have NEVER regretted it
(even when enduring most of the EXPENSIVE repairs unique to the 124)!
The 123 is more rugged, will probably last longer (there is no evidence
that the OM60x engines fail any sooner as long as it's NOT an OM603
turbo that's been overheated) though 123s WILL rust sooner. 123s will
probably ultimately cost less to maintain. BUT 123s DON'T DRIVE NEARLY
AS WELL - not even close. I've made dozens of 2-3kmi trips in both
models and the 124 is a quantum improvement over the 123. It IS the
ultimate wagon (I do plan to audition a NEW "C" class wagon in the next
few months).
Marshall
--
Marshall Booth (who doesn't respond to unsigned questions)
"der Dieseling Doktor" [EMAIL PROTECTED]
'87 300TD 181Kmi,'87 190D 2.5 199Kmi, '84 190D 2.2 227Kmi, '85 190D 2.0
159Kmi, '87 190D 2.5 turbo 234kmi
Diesel Technical Advisor MBCA, member GWSection
http://www.dhc.net/~pmhack/mercedes/mbooth1.htm
