turbo diesel mercedes 2003

Submitted: Sunday, Jun 10, 2007 at 16:13

ThreadID: 46495 Views:1799 Replies:4 FollowUps:3

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Member - gertie (NSW)

Hi folks--my husband & i are looking at a 2003 turbo diesel mercedes--has anyone out there got one or have any comments on its performance. I have had a 300D for 20 years(it is 1977 model) & am wondering whether i should just stick with it or am i game to update.
Hey i am now a full member --not just a visitor--this is such a great site--thanks everyone for all your help. Now I just have to work out how to do all the things available.
Have a great weekend--we were supposed to go camping but unfortunately have been caught up in newcastles turmoil--we are fine though--here has been so much kaos though.

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Reply By: Exploder - Sunday, Jun 10, 2007 at 20:11

Sunday, Jun 10, 2007 at 20:11

perhaps a specific model would help a bit.

Don't think you will get much help on that type of motor car on hear, bit to good for bush tracks and alike.

Anything with that badge on it is going to be fairly well built and reliable as long as it's maintained which is generally a little more $$ that ya standard type car and all is good as long as nothing goes wrong and that's when you find out that parts are a tad on the expensive side.

AnswerID: 245965

Follow Up By: Andrew from Vivid Adventures - Sunday, Jun 10, 2007 at 21:18

Sunday, Jun 10, 2007 at 21:18

An acquaintance of mine has taken his M series mercedes (two of them) out into the Simpson over the last few years.

Tyres were one issue, but there weren't too many places there he couldn't go with it.

Anywhere requiring real high clearance however, would be limiting.

FollowupID: 506924

Follow Up By: Member - bushfix - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 14:39

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 14:39

the old man went from a 300D to a C series TD 4wd. Has done 35k and taken it on sand with a ct up the west coast and bush around dwellingup. He sometimes wishes he had kept the 300D (got written off just after he sold it which was a bit sad) but the extra power of the turbo is a huge difference. It has not cost him a cent outside regular maintenance.

ditto the comments re ground clearance, but, all in all......

as they say, "depends on what you want to do."

FollowupID: 507185

Reply By: Eric Experience - Sunday, Jun 10, 2007 at 21:34

Sunday, Jun 10, 2007 at 21:34

Gertie.
I assume you are talking about a ML270, in any case Benz diesels are still the world leaders so go for it. We have just returned from another trip in our Benz and can recommend them, parts are expensive but we have never had to buy any except the usual filters and they are cheaper than Toyota. Eric.

AnswerID: 245981

Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 19:15

Monday, Jun 11, 2007 at 19:15

If you are planning on desert travel, see if you can get an opinion from Theo at Birdsville Auto, or Adam at Pink Roadhouse at oodnadatta.

My recollection from a few years back was theat there has been an unusual number of Mercedes come out of the desert on the back of a trailer because of unfixable electronic issues.

AnswerID: 246134

Reply By: Member - Stephen M (NSW) - Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 12:58

Tuesday, Jun 12, 2007 at 12:58

I know diddly squat about mercs but I do know that one of the vito's my mate had in his fleet was always playing up and he went through 3 sets of injectors with in the warranty period he has since sold it once warranty was up. Now he was stating $1200 per injector and all 4 were stuffed and obviously wasnt due to dirty fuel or they wouldnt have put it through warranty. Now wether he's exagerating the price or not I dont know but that is huge $$$ I have no idea wether the model you are talking about runs the same injectors or not but might be worth checking out just incase. Regards Steve M

AnswerID: 246301