1981 300CD yay or nay ?

[xudeck]

Hey folks,

I used to have a W124 1988 300E, sold it last year, got a bimmer and crashed it. Im feeling Benz all over again. Obviously the fuel prices and economy comes into play. Also the uniqueness of a car is very important.

I came across a 1981 300CD, with 270,000 kms on it. Yeah, I am all the way up in Canada..lol !!

I don't know much about W123, other than the fact that, they are dead reliable and sold over 2 million units worldwide and these beasts are still running all over the world and specially in the deserts of Africa taking a beating everyday.

I am aware of its reputation, but what I am looking for is, what are its modding and tuning opportunities.

I don't know how fast the 300CD is or how powerful its, if it even turbo or not. I definitely want to lower the car, get some decent rims, Euro lights with HID's, maybe a subtle exhaust.

This is where, I am looking for all your valuable information and experience.

Looking forward to all the advices.

Thank you all in advance.

[xudeck]

So......nothing available?

Or W123 are strictly against modding ...lol !!

[240D 3.0T]

I definitely want to lower the car, get some decent rims, Euro lights with HID's, maybe a subtle exhaust.

Get a Honda.

[xudeck]

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T

Get a Honda.

What floats your boat, doesn't float mine !!

[xudeck]

I don't get people driving older Benz. Its an old Benz, doesn't mean your mindset has to be old as well. I am not asking for opinions here, I just want pure info and people fail to provide me with anything, but they are more than happy to mock me.

What is this the dark ages of the Auto Industry? Whatever happened to the pure passion of an automobile.

I'm not trying to rice a Benz. I'm trying to gather some info, so I can make a beast out of this thing.

And until now I thought people at other forums were rude or uptight. This is the worst I have ever seen.

And everyone likes to call them automobile aficionado's hah !!

[240D 3.0T]

Originally Posted by xudeck

I don't get people ricing older Benz. Its an old Benz, doesn't mean you should turn it into another hacked up wannabe Honda. I taking opinions here, I want pure info and people tell me how stupid my choice is, but they are more than welcome to mock me.

What is this the rice ages of the Auto Industry? Whatever happened to the pure passion of an automobile?

I'm trying to rice a Benz. I'm trying to gather some info, so I can make a wannabe out of this thing.

And until now I thought people at other forums were intelligent or right. This is the best I have ever seen.

And I try to call a hacked up non-turbo 300CD a one-off monster hah !!

Thats what you really should have said.

[xudeck]

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T

Thats what you really should have said.

What YOU should have really done is...kept your mouth shut !!

[240D 3.0T]

Originally Posted by xudeck

What YOU should have really done is...kept your mouth shut !!

What you really need to do is GTFO.

[xudeck]

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T

What you really need to do is GTFO.

OoOo....I'm soo scared Mr. E-Thug !!

[Flatlander1961]

There isn't a W123 that can be modded into a street performer. Even a turbo diesel has small horsepower numbers. I have seen some 190E's from roughly the same years made into street cars, I have no idea how well they perform. The problem you will run into is that most folks who own one of these cars feel that they are just about perfect for what they do. They won't get you there fast, but you WILL get there. Personally, I really enjoy the horn honking behind me and the fingers flying out of the windows in front of me. You want to run over me? OK, I AM driving a tank.....

[240D 3.0T]

Originally Posted by xudeck

OoOo....I'm soo scared Mr. E-Thug !!

OoOo....I'm soo laughing Mr. E-Ricer !!

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by xudeck

Hey folks,

I used to have a W124 1988 300E, sold it last year, got a bimmer and crashed it. Im feeling Benz all over again. Obviously the fuel prices and economy comes into play. Also the uniqueness of a car is very important.

I came across a 1981 300CD, with 270,000 kms on it. Yeah, I am all the way up in Canada..lol !!

I don't know much about W123, other than the fact that, they are dead reliable and sold over 2 million units worldwide and these beasts are still running all over the world and specially in the deserts of Africa taking a beating everyday.

I am aware of its reputation, but what I am looking for is, what are its modding and tuning opportunities.

I don't know how fast the 300CD is or how powerful its, if it even turbo or not. I definitely want to lower the car, get some decent rims, Euro lights with HID's, maybe a subtle exhaust.

This is where, I am looking for all your valuable information and experience.

Looking forward to all the advices.

Thank you all in advance.

I would not recommend a 1981 300CD for what you are wanting to do. A 1981 is a non-turbo 5-cylinder diesel. It is not known for its performance. It will last a long time, but is not fast. The air conditioning and climate control system on this model is old and does not perform the best.

Not sure where you would find HID headlights for a W123 unless you purchase the sealed beam replacements.

From your description, I just don't see a W123 satisfying you. The other poster which you seem to be involved in a flame war with is very knowledgeable with getting performance out of these cars, but keep in mind what you are starting with. It takes some work and money to get them up to what some expect "normal" performance.

If you are looking for a classic automobile that will last a long time and are not wanting to be "flashy" a W123 might fit your need. People that have these cars in good condition like them for what they are and typically don't try to mod them with suspension mods, wheels, etc.

[xudeck]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

I would not recommend a 1981 300CD for what you are wanting to do. A 1981 is a non-turbo 5-cylinder diesel. It is not known for its performance. It will last a long time, but is not fast. The air conditioning and climate control system on this model is old and does not perform the best.

Not sure where you would find HID headlights for a W123 unless you purchase the sealed beam replacements.

From your description, I just don't see a W123 satisfying you. The other poster which you seem to be involved in a flame war with is very knowledgeable with getting performance out of these cars, but keep in mind what you are starting with. It takes some work and money to get them up to what some expect "normal" performance.

If you are looking for a classic automobile that will last a long time and are not wanting to be "flashy" a W123 might fit your need. People that have these cars in good condition like them for what they are and typically don't try to mod them with suspension mods, wheels, etc.

That is exactly the kind of information what I was looking for.

Thank you Polar Bear

I have decided not to go for a W123 just as yet. Another W124 or a W201, who knows.

[240D 3.0T]

Originally Posted by xudeck

I have decided not to go for a W123 just as yet.

Good, better you stick to ricing BMWs.

[tunayballa]

You could do all that with a W201.

[discoduck]

I agree, 201 is a good choice.

[Holson]

My first car was a 300CD Turbo. It had decent get up and go, but if speed and mods are what you are after I suggest the W201 190E with a gas engine, or another BMW.. but I think older MB's just age better than older BMW's.

[tanktube67]

if you want realibility then, you need to have a second car, regarless what you drive

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by xudeck

That is exactly the kind of information what I was looking for.

Thank you Polar Bear

I have decided not to go for a W123 just as yet. Another W124 or a W201, who knows.

Hi from TO. The comments are largely right on this page. If you want power do not go for the W123 diesels. Go for later gasoline engines. The diesel 300 CD output is around 123 bhp or so. Even the 560 SEL puts out only 238 bhp. I have seen Finnish 190 series cars with 5 cylinder diesel engines but they were never imported to North America.


I like the 300 turbo diesel for their ruggedness, ease of maintenance and economy.

[Untertürkheim]

Originally Posted by harkgar

Hi from TO. The comments are largely right on this page. If you want power do not go for the W123 diesels. Go for later gasoline engines. The diesel 300 CD output is around 123 bhp or so. Even the 560 SEL puts out only 238 bhp. I have seen Finnish 190 series cars with 5 cylinder diesel engines but they were never imported to North America.


I like the 300 turbo diesel for their ruggedness, ease of maintenance and economy.

Actually, the NA 617 has about 80 hp.

[240D 3.0T]

80hp.

[harkgar]

Originally Posted by 240D 3.0T

80hp.

Shoot! My 1999 VW Jetta diesel TDi had 90 horses and I thought I was horsepower poor!

Our friend should really forget about tuning an older 300 D unless of course, he is an experienced diesel mechanic like you, Mr. 240.