87 Merc Diesel?

What can you guys tell me about these cars?

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bravenrace wrote: What can you guys tell me about these cars? cl link

If I was going to buy a W201, that'd be it. Only if I had my choice, it would have the even more rare 5 spd manual trans. It will have all the usual european electrical gremlins. I believe there were some head revisions, on later cars that used that engine, to reinforce areas where cracks were known to develop. I don't know the years or casting numbers affected. The OM602 diesel engine was also used in 90s era W124 bodied 300Ds. Fuel mileage is going to be more like in the 30s.

I believe those have the OM602. There are quite a few high mileage diesels around. Also the 2.5 like that one is fairly rare in the USA. One year only in the US IIRC.

carzan wrote: I believe there were some head revisions, on later cars that used that engine, to reinforce areas where cracks were known to develop.

I believe that is the OM603s of that time period not the 602s.

I really like those, but that still seems a little steep, even for a nice example.

93EXCivic wrote:

carzan wrote: I believe there were some head revisions, on later cars that used that engine, to reinforce areas where cracks were known to develop.

I believe that is the OM603s of that time period not the 602s.

Nope, my '87 300D has the OM603. The OM602 was for the W201 originally and models came both NA and turboed, depending on the year. They were then used in the W124 starting around 1990 IIRC. The OM603s had the same head issues on the original #14 casting. There do seem to be fewer know cases with the OM602s, but there weren't as many to start with.

In reply to carzan:

I mean I knew the OM603 wasn't in that W201. I just hadn't heard of any head issues with those engines.

So this car is right in my town. Other than it maybe being over-priced, what should I look for? Would it make a fairly reliable daily commuter?

In my limited experience with W201s, they are fairly reliable. Parts cost on Mercedes isn't cheap. Also I don't know how over-priced that W201 is. The turbo diesel W201s have something of a cult following. Check all the electrical systems for faults.

93EXCivic wrote: In reply to carzan: I mean I knew the OM603 wasn't in that W201. I just hadn't heard of any head issues with those engines.

The NAs, no. The early turbos can develop problems, but just because you have an early head, doesn't mean you are going to have an issue. I have over 300K on my OM603 with the original #14 head with no issues (knock on wood) Mainly just don't let it overheat. Make sure the cooling system is up to snuff. If it starts to overheat, pull over and find out why. Don't try to "make it home".

Well here is a thread on checking for head problems with the OM602. http://www.peachparts.com/shopforum/diesel-discussion/282639-how-check-head-issues-om602.html

bravenrace wrote: So this car is right in my town. Other than it maybe being over-priced, what should I look for? Would it make a fairly reliable daily commuter?

As I said, I have an '87 300D and it has been just fine as a DD. The OM603 engine in mine is basically the same as the OM602 in the 190D with an extra cylinder. They have many of the same quirks. You're probably going to have electrical issues starting with those crappy ceramic bullet fuses. The HVAC system uses vacuum and the associated rubber components are going to fail. (I would also STRONGLY advise replacing the vacuum pump if you buy this unless it has been replaced in the last 5 years). The rest is pretty much what you'd have to deal with on any car this age. The downside is that when something breaks, you may have to wait for parts. I have a Jeep XJ, so that isn't an issue for me (and mine is probably easier to find parts for). If you don't have another means of transportation, that alone may be a deal breaker for you. So, if you have strong mechanical and electrical skills and are patient, you'll probably be ok. They aren't that hard to work on and parts that I have had to buy haven't been that bad cost-wise. But if you have to depend on a shop, the costs of owning any Mercedes product can skyrocket.

Just from reading about problems people have had with them, they are a little more scary than the 615/6/7 series. I remember reading about someone with a 300SDL driving on the freeway and the engine just stopped. Turns out whoever had replaced the vacuum pump (years ago, before the current owner bought it), missed one of the ball bearings that had fallen out of the failed vacuum pump, and it got into the oil pump and jammed it and snapped the oil pump chain. Im sure things like that are extremely rare, but if something like that happened to the OM617 in my 300sd I could just go get another engine $300, with that car it would be worthless.